Habitat - Indoor :: Just got back from walmart

[daredevilgirl013]

Woo that was a fun trip. Boy is this new tank set up costing me. that was me when I saw the total bill. I bought new plants, a log decoration that is a fake resin log so my plecos can hide from the turtle, got a whole bunch of river stones, got another filter, more filter media, another pleco, ghost shrimp (with some free guppies), and some clorx and vinegar to help clean out this mess of a new tank that I've got cause it is literally a mess. But I can't wait to see this new tank as I'm going to try and make it as close to nature as possible. And I'm trying to provide some hiding spots for my fish and shrimp so when my turtle decides to go on a rampage, they can hide because the turtle cannot get into this log. So once this is all done I'll post up pics! It will probably be done Thursday..because it will take me a day to clean out the new tank and to clean up what all I just bought, and then a day to switch everything over and get it all set up.

Also just a quick question. I have a zoomed basking dock and my turtle is constantly swimming between the pieces that holds the suction cups and lets the dock float up or down with the water level. I've stopped suctioning the ones in the water because my turtle just has to swim between those bars. Is it possible to stop this or set up the dock so that she can't do this? It is getting annoying when I walk by and she her do this and then I wonder if she is going to get stuck or not. I hope with a new bigger tank this will stop but we shall see.

[daredevilgirl013]

Ok got an idea/question. I came home today from a baby shower and my turtle about gave me a heart attack because it looked like she had crammed herself inbetween the dock yet again and just died. I hit the side of the tank, woke her up and got her to move. Soooo I can't handle this every time I come home..so here is the idea. Can I use shoe strings to attach the suction cups like someone did to their floating logs..to the dock so that she can't swim under the bars anymore? Or how about using that aquarium silicon and attaching the suction cups to the dock?

[SpotsMama]

My RES wanted to squeeze behind the pieces that hold up the turtle dock too. It was a real compulsion. He liked to sleep wedged in there as tight as he could get. I was worried he'd get stuck so I did like you and didn't attach the bottom suckers. I couldn't get him to stop. The only reason he's not still doing it is that he's living outside in a pond right now. I suppose when he comes in for the winter he'll be at it again.

[steve]

I'm not picturing using string or silicone to attach suction cups. You could try a different dock or find a safe filler for the gap.

[turtledudee]

ahhh my lil turts do that too! i always think they are gonna get stuck!

[SpotsMama]

If it's any comfort, my turt slept squeezed behind the things that hold up the turtle dock every night for over a year and never had trouble getting loose when he wanted to. If had attached the bottom suckers, though, I'll bet I wouldn't have a turtle today.

[daredevilgirl013]

Well today didn't go well. The tank literally just fell apart and broke. So now I get to go to Wal Mart or Petland and get a new tank. The 45 long was going to go over my stand by a foot which probably isn't good so Michelangelo is probably going to get a 35 gallon tank or a 40 depending on whatever can fit the space I have for it.

[megcornell]

My hatchling used to try to wedge himself in by his dock as well, so I gave him some large fake leaves suction cupped to the side of the tank and he likes hiding/sleeping in there much better, so maybe you can give your turt. and alternate hiding spot to entice him away?

[SpotsMama]

That's a good idea about the fake leaves. I'll give it a try.

[daredevilgirl013]

He has tons of spots to hide, tons of fake plants and stuff. He just likes to run under the dock. But that problem is fixed now. Since I got the stock tank, the dock wouldn't suction to the side so I superglued it!! Now there is no way he can get under the dock!!

[missibsu]

Is the superglue inside the tank? Because it can be highly toxic.

[daredevilgirl013]

part of the superglue is above and the rest is below in the water. It isn't a big amount and it's not really sticking out in the water as I just superglued the suction cups to the side of the tank.