Habitat - Indoor :: New Setup

[Joddog]

I haven't been on in quite a while, but we finally got our new tank setup! Please, no flaming me, as I know the tank is smaller than it should be, but it's all my husband would agree to..

Anyway, we got a 40 gallon breeder, with a Cascade 700 filter. We have one turtle now, named The Hulk. Our other turtle went to his new home. He has the same basking area and lights, but with new UVB bulb.
I hope to build him an ATBA here soon. He's eating fine, but not basking much. He's only been in it since last night, so I'm not too worried yet .

He absolutely adoes the sprayer bar, he spends all his time under it. Tonight we added 4 cherry barbs and 4 zebra barbs in with him. So far, he has ignored them completely. We figure they will be food soon, but gave them plenty of hiding places. One got sucked up in the filter and we had to take apart the canister to save him. lol

Any hints on keeping waste flowing towards the filter? I know this isn't the best one, but again, it's what I was allowed to get.

He's shedding his skin since we put him in, I'm guessing it's from the complete water change and lack of bacteria?

Hope he stays happy in this tank, we've had him since last July in a way too small tank and he thrived...hope with all the new room he does!

[Joddog]

Caught him basking this morning! And we still have all 8 fish so far. He totally ignores them. He's kicked a few and stepped on one. Lol

[EdieOnline]

How old do you think your turtle is? You and I have some things in common. I've got about a 8-9 month old turtle in a 20gl long right now, with a few tiger and cherry barbs. He'll chase the fish, but only when the get too close to his food during feeding time. Other than that, he shows little interest in them. My boss has a 40gl breeder he would like to sell me, but I am more in the market for a 55gl. Let me know how the 40gl breeder goes.

[Joddog]

Well, my best guess is he's 9 months old. I went for the breeder tank over the 55 because the width is nicer. When he's full grown, he will appreciate the room to turn around.

[Joddog]

3 Tiger barbs are gone today. Lol

[Jeremiah]

I agree about choosing the 40B over the 55G. 40B have more surface area!

[Joddog]

Hulk isn't basking at all! Then I remembered that one of our turtles preferred hotter basking temps, so I'm going to put in a hotter bulb and give him a couple days! I've seen him climb up on the platform, but he immediately dives back in so I'm guessing it isn't warm enough for him.

[steve]

Can you post a picture of the basking area? Is there a ramp?

[Joddog]

I forgot to update! He's basking now! I put in a hotter bulb and we made a new ramp out of a cooling rack (works perfect!) and he's basking away! The ramp I had was too steep.