Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:40 am Expanded the homestead for the kids.
Our kids (2 1/2" RES & 2" Peninsula Cooter) have been in separate 10 gal tanks since we brought them home back in June. Of course we knew we eventually would be investing in larger homes for them. We found a used 125 gal tank on FB Marketplace. The gentleman selling it is upgrading his fish habitat. For $650, we received the tank, stand, Eheim 2217 filter, Eheim heater, Fluval LED lighting and about 100# of fine sand.
Of course, we will be transferring the heating & UV lamps from each tank to the new one. I'm thinking in the short run, setting up basking platforms at each end and focusing lights on each. I'm thinking eventually, I will move to an above tank basking platform, but given their size, that can wait right now. I also know that I will need to upgrade the filter as that 2217 will be hard pressed to cover things. For now, I have a Penn-Plax Cascade 600, which can supplement the 2217, though as the kids get bigger, I'll be looking at something like an Fx4 or Fx6.
Haven't decided about the sand/substrate yet. I would like to keep a few plants to help with water quality. Thus far, in the smaller tanks, they've been eater, tearing the plants up, but we're hoping a larger tank will help with that.
We're going to take the set up slowly as I want to ensure we don't cause the kids any undue stress. It may be a week or two before we transfer them to the new home.