Habitat - Indoor :: the new setup w/ pics...finally!!

[mackadocious]

so i said i'd post pics when i got it set up, but that happened back in august and we had no decent camera and didn't have all the fancies worked out....
anyways, details--135 gallon tank w/ custom basking platform & nesting box and home-made tank stand...cost 370 for the tank, and 75 for materials for the stand....





the waterfall...


the cave & dry land...

the synthetic wood piece was purchased to see how long a fish might survive...it's been over 3 months now, but patsy's starting to get more active again, so we'll see how much longer freddy lasts...patsy does like to push it out from the side of the glass and hide behind it to sleep though, so it won't be totally useless :)



closer image of the basking/nesting area.....

you can see freddy in the corner in this one behind the wood thing...

water level view from the waterfall end...


dirt level view from the other end....

this particular section has been the most frustrating, as dirt gets in the water all the time....i tried putting a water dish in the dirt for her to crawl thru but it didn't get her completely cleaned off and i would have had to change the water daily, which definitely didn't happen and it used up precious land area that would hopefully encourage egg laying on....i've thought about trying something slightly abrasive like astroturf or something on the basking platform but don't know that it would worth the trouble, and would mess up the whole natural look.....for now i just scoop it out when it clumps on the bottom and let the sand chill....maybe someday i'll invest in a vacuum, but i've invested enough for now....

[turtlemang]

Looking pretty nice...

[BullDog]

Wow! Is that one of the tanks from glasscages? That looks amazing!
That would be great if that works out as a nesting area. For the land area, I've seen some people use sand. Although you'd still have the same problem, and sand can be hard on your filter. For getting the dirt out of the bottom, you could try a turkey baster. You can find them at the dollar store for a buck

[mackadocious]

sure is--i need to email them pictures too now that i've got em up online....
the dirt is actually a 50/50 sand-dirt mixture as recommended....i am keepin my fingers crossed as to whether any eggs appear in it rather than the water.....
as for the cleaning, the sand at least looks a lot cleaner in the bottom of the tank--the dirt clumps up gross and forms dirt bunnies (mixture of dirt, dead skin, poo), and doesn't really get sucked up by the filter.....small pieces of dirt do get sucked up but once it clumps i have to scoop it out....the turtles eat it though--when i separated them months ago, i kept finding sand in the old tank that hank was pooping out :)

[Rottie_mom]

Nice setup!!!

[Just Jule]

GORGEOUS TANK!!!

Can I ask the gallonage on that tank? And how much did it cost? I looked at the website but there are no prices. I am just curious.

[Bascomb]

Mac-do -- Nice set up. When looking at the tank I noticed that the home thermostate is just over the tank on the wall. That must play havoc on you heating and A/C. b.

[Lantic]

Amazing!

[Rubicon]

I really like your sand pit. Any better pics of the water fall?

[Raphulk]

verry nice setup.
I'd keep an eye on the rocks you made as a waterfall, it looks okay, but unless you glued them down or something they might fall.

but it looks great

[MissMandy]

Great setup! I like the waterfall. Do you have an in-tank filter?

[Rubicon]

She has a Rena XP3.

[StevenAkaProek]

nice, but may I ask

why are you only filling up the tank half way?

67 gallons is a lot to waste

[francinemarie]

omg wow i love your basking/nesting area!! i've been trying to think of how to make one with that same concept! may i ask what is supporting or holding the basking area above the water & what is your dirt/sand depth (how many inches)?

[Azfar]

very nice setup~! love the basking/nesting area..