Equipment Review and Discussion :: Potential tank problem

[VanIsle]

I am brand new to the turtle world, and this site has been a great source of information and inspiration. I am about to get a RES, maybe two, so i've been getting everything ready. From posts on here, i learned that those 'turtle' tanks (with the cutout on the side) weren't any good, so i bought a 40G "Zilla" reptile tank. You know the ones, they're 36 long, 18 wide and 12 deep. I figured this would be a great size to start off with.
Well now that i have the stand, equipment, and tank already to go. I unpackaged the tank today, and it says "do not fill with water" and "not for aquarium use'. Is this for real? are these tanks not able to hold water? I wasn't planning on filling it to the top, but this still worries me. Any suggestions or comments would be really appreciated.
Thanks

[marisa]

It sounds like the operative word here is reptile, which wouldn't be a tank for fish, turtles or other creature that lives in water. You're right---the turtle tanks with the cut-out sides aren't what you want, but you do want a tank that will hold water, and a lot of it, since RES are aquatic turtles and great swimmers.

I'd take the tank back and get one that you know will hold water. When you're getting a tank, for turtles look for a tank that's longer and wider rather than deep (the dimensions you gave, especially the length and width, sounded good) for more horizontal swimming space. Depending on the size of the turtle, look for something like a 40G breeder tank, if possible. A 20-gallon long would do you for a while if you got a hatchling.

BTW, I'd get just one turtle as opposed to two. You can read on other threads the potential issues you can face with mutiple turtles.

[mikee]

V-isle -- I think you have a dry tank that is used for lizzards and such. The glass is probably too thin for water and is not put together for water pressure. I would make sure that it is for aquarium use. It would be a heck of a mess if the glass broke and 30 or 40 gallons dumped on the floor. Did your expert store clerk help you with this tank? Good Luck!!

[N4784N R4613]

I agree with everyone above me. You should definitely just get one RES. If I could go back in time I would have only gotten one. I have spent THOUSANDS of dollars on extra stuff for two RES that I could have saved if I only had one. And even after all that, and buying the biggest tank I could fit in the house, THEY STILL FOUGHT!!!! I had to separate my 240 gallon tank!! Oh well, Res will be RES.

Good luck with your new baby(just one!!),

Nathan.

[squall3773]

V-isle -- I think you have a dry tank that is used for lizzards and such. The glass is probably too thin for water and is not put together for water pressure. I would make sure that it is for aquarium use. It would be a heck of a mess if the glass broke and 30 or 40 gallons dumped on the floor. Did your expert store clerk help you with this tank? Good Luck!!

This is very true. I have two tanks that were built for terrariums and when filled with more then half water, after time neways, the tanks sides lengthwise have come to bend slightly. They havent broken, but I would think after a couple of years filled with water it would bend enough that it would.

[megcornell]

Squall, if your tanks are bowing out at the sides, I'd reinforce them with a frame or PVC piping and quickly. What a mess that would be for it to break. Water can exert quite a bit of pressure and if the tank is already showing signs of wear and tear I wouldn't give it a few years before the seaming goes.

[DIANTE]

go to wallmart 10 bucks 10 gallons

[marisa]

10 gallons, too small (except for the tiniest hatchling).

[squall3773]

Squall, if your tanks are bowing out at the sides, I'd reinforce them with a frame or PVC piping and quickly. What a mess that would be for it to break. Water can exert quite a bit of pressure and if the tank is already showing signs of wear and tear I wouldn't give it a few years before the seaming goes.

Sorry Meg i was gone for the Holidays!
i just didn't want you to worry, i dont keep them full of water anymore, i did for a bit, but then thought the same as you
your very right in that its not worth the risk!