Habitat - Indoor :: ideas to make turtle home look homier

[maddymoiselle]

I have had Sheldon for about 10 years, he came to me in a tiny rubbermaid container with just enough water to cover him. Since i have had the pleasure of being his Mom, he has lived in an 80 gallon tank complete with a Cascade filtration system, a heater, a basking dock, basking lamp and uva/uvb lamps. Somehow something is missing. I feel that he might need some stimulation, more color.I would also really like to make his homey be more pleasing to the eye too. I would welcome any ideas. Thanks

[steve]

Hi, I'd remove those rocks/gravel first chance you get. A simple background will cover up those wires/tubes for you. You can make a simple atba and raise that water level. That heater also needs to be submerged more. Sand makes for a nice substrate or go bare. Can you put a close up of the shell? It looks a bit pale.

[VeipaCray]

Agree with Steve but heater should be #1 fix. Having any of the heating element exposed to air when it turns on is very dangerous and can cause it to shatter or crack and electrocute the water. Not good for you or

Driftwood
Large rocks
Plants

[maddymoiselle]

Thanks for your input. Will put larger rocks in, ordered background and submerged heater. Will post pic of Sheldon's shell.

[maddymoiselle]

What types of plants would u recommend?

[steve]

Real or fake?

[maddymoiselle]

does not matter.whatever you think would make my turtle happy

[steve]

Each has their own preference but fake plants will be for decoration only and real plants will need to be regularly replaced.