Habitat - Indoor :: Choice of two tanks

[Terrapin UK]

Hi all.

I am getting a larger tank for my two terrapins, and am stuck on which one to get. My choices are:

Tank 1 (LxWxH): 48" x 24" x 18" (89 gallons)

Tank 2 (LxWxH): 60" x 18" x 18" (84 gallons)

Is it better to get the longer tank or the slightly shorter but wider one? They both hold near enough the same.

Cheers,

Liam

[marisa]

Don't know how big your turts are, but just looking at the dimensions, if it were me, I'd opt for Tank 1. Although it holds only about 6 more gallons than the second tank and isn't as long, I like the fact that it has more space to turn around in.

[steve]

Personally, I'd get the 89 gallon tank. It may also depend on where you want to put the tank as well as other expenses.

[Terrapin UK]

Thanks for the replies.

Their shells are just about 3" long (not including curve). I thought I would invest in a large(ish) tank to save buying another for a few more years!

There is plenty of space for the tank, so any size would do. I think I'll opt for the first one then. That should keep them happy!

[staman]

Yeah i agree with the other guys as well. I always buy the wider tank if the volumes are the same. I actually have the 48" wide tank and i like it a lot...

[Terrapin UK]

Just to update: For only £10 more I can get a tank 60" x 24" x 24", which holds 149 gallons.

I have space for it, and it's on a solid floor. but is 24" of water too deep, or will it be fine?

[sonyj]

RES are aquatic turtles and used to swimming in deep waters in the wild. The more water you can provide the better they will like their environment. I wouldn't worry about water being too deep. Just provide places such as plants for them to rest on or in at different levels of the water and they will be fine. Here's a link to a post I made recently about fixing some plants for Koopa to rest on: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2173

[jeggy]

more is better. wow, if i could just flood my house to about 2 feet i'd let my turts roam free and LIVE in the water with them.

[BigCT]

LOL, we can dream can't we. I had to design a bedroom in a tech class once and my room was all water and all the items were set up like islands you could swim to bed or hop across the floating pads.

The only prob with that would be the samonella in the water

[Terrapin UK]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I have had to revert to the 48" x 24" x 24" tank. I just realised that the 60" tank would fit in, but it would block the entrance door!

Anyways, I can tell Winciet is getting excited about the new tank! It will be ready in 2 weeks, by which time the new Hydor heater, Eheim filter and various plants, stones and bits of wood will be here. I have told them it is their christmas present!

All I've got left to decide is whether to have the basking area on top of the tank, or to one side. Any suggestions?

[marisa]

By "to one side," do you mean in the tank to one side? A basking area on top of/above the tank would certainly maximize swimming space.

[Terrapin UK]

No, I mean a bit like this: (Excuse the drawings! They are not to scale but you get the idea).

[steve]

Cute diagrams, I would lean towards the first one since it should be easier to setup and take down.

[marisa]

I like the first, because it provides a hiding area. I like the second, because it's a bit different, and I like something that's out of the ordinary. (Depending on the lengh of the ramp, I suppose that could be a hiding area as well.) Your decision...