Habitat - Indoor :: The "Turtle Tank"?

[Ferd]

I have a "turtle" tank for my turtles. I keep hearing that the turtles need a real fish tank, but these ones are still smaller than 2 inches. They seem content with the water level right now. However, do i need to upgrade to a real tank right now, or can i wait untill they grow? Also, i got a filter/waterfall thing that has a max height level of about 6 inches. Do i need to toss the filter? If so, what is reccomended for someone who is on a tight budget?

[missibsu]

How big is your 'turtle' tank? I have heard that they come in 20 gallons and 40 gallons. Do you know approx. how much water you have put in it?

I have two turtles that I initially put in a 10 gallon tank. When I learned that it was inadequate they moved to a 30 gallon tank and that was only temporary until I got my 75 gallon.

For someone on a budget there are sites such as craigslist.com and freecycle.org...you can try those for cheap or free used options. For tanks, you can use a rubbermaid container instead, 50 gallon tubs can be had for as little as 15-20 bucks.

Filters are more expensive and I don't recommend cutting corners in that department. With filters you get what you pay for and you will be thankful later for going with quality.

[cprcheetah]

My turtle came with a Turtle Tank which we are working to rectify. It is a 20 Gallon one, but can only hold about 12 gallons. Which is highly inadequate for my 7" Turtle, he needs at least 70" But with room to grow....gonna go bigger than that. We are probably going to get the biggest Rubbermaid one we can find at least over 55 Gallon for now, which is greatly bigger than what he's in. I also have a 30 gallon Fish tank we may also move him too until we can get him arranged. Is the filter a clear one?
It took me going to Petco and looking at their turtle tanks to figure out where my filter was supposed to go.

[Ferd]

The tank is a 20 long with about a third of the water in it. Due to the filter, the water level can only be filled up to just over half. It has two basking areas, but i think that i can lose the one with the river rocks. I can purchase a turtle dock though. Here is a pic of the cage:

[Ferd]

i dont know if this might work but... We have an 80 Gallon Saltwater tank in the basement. I took a raincheck on it, it seems to be in perfect condition. I held a Bearded dragon and fish befor that. When my turtles out grow the cage they have right now ( any ideas when that is?) would that work? If that does, i will need a new filter then. Is there any specific filter that would work in that situation.

[missibsu]

There is no reason why you couldn't go ahead and get the old aquarium out and cleaned up. Go ahead and move them into it. They will love the space. If you can provide some plants (real or fake) to hang on to, it will help them from tiring. There is no need to wait until they outgrow their current tank.

For an 80 gallon I would go with a good canister filter. The rena xp3 is my preference, I use one and love it, but fluval also makes a great filter...304 or 404. I think they also just released a newer one and I am not sure of the model number. Fluval just recently redesigned their filters as well. I haven't heard anything on the new ones. I do know that the older model ones tend to have handles that break causing the filter not to seal tight.

I'm looking forward to some pictures!

[Ferd]

that will be fun. Unfortunately, that will have to wait untill later. a lot of rearagements would need to be done before that tank would be able to get used. Not only is it blocked off by a line of junk in the storage room, but weighs a ton. That might end up to be a birthday or christmas present though... thanks for all the help though! This will most definitly happen, so no need to worry!

[pkneeyahx]

Ferd,
I'd watch that stand you have the tank on. Remember that a gallon of water weighs roughly ten pounds. Not including the weight of the tank itself, rocks, etc.

[divinity]

The tank is a 20 long with about a third of the water in it. Due to the filter, the water level can only be filled up to just over half. It has two basking areas, but i think that i can lose the one with the river rocks. I can purchase a turtle dock though. Here is a pic of the cage:

where'd you get that basking rock in your tank?

[steve]

It looks like those small fountains that goes on a table.

[divinity]

the have those decorative filters in petmart for 51$ I'm trying to also use it as a basking rock, do you guys think turts can get on top of that?

[steve]

Those aren't really meant to be submerged in water... I would look for something else. They make poly-resin basking areas, which would have a similar look.

[divinity]

Those aren't really meant to be submerged in water... I would look for something else. They make poly-resin basking areas, which would have a similar look.

really where?

[steve]

Theres a brand called ESU that makes some... they are grey and look like a trapezoid. I can't get a pic right now, but they should not be hard to find. Actually, there should be a pic of one on the main section of the site... check the basking section.