Photo Gallery :: My setup

[Rachel__23]

Here is my setup, just cleaned the tank. I am working on getting some river stones to replace the gravel, but having a hard time finding them. I am a fond believer in real plants. He loves his hornwort, plus gives the baby guppies a place to hide (free food is always good!)




He's still tiny, and hides every time I am close, so I'm still working on pics of the actual turtle. Don't mind the peice of zuccini in the background, not much food around for the placo right now....

[adam85491]

I know you said you can't find river rocks but if you still have that gravel in there take it out now. It is better to have a bare bottom than one with gravel but if you already took it out than that is good. You can get river rocks in a little green netting at the dollar store...they are the polished kind. Nice set-up by the way.

It looks like you have a veggie clip in there, instead of putting zuchini or something for the plecco on it, why not put a piece of cuttlebone on it for the turtles?

[PinkyTurtle]

Do you have a Micheals craft store near you. Cause i work at one where i live and i know they sell river rocks. Thats where i got mine. Google Micheals arts and crafts, you can do a sercch to find one near you.

[Rachel__23]

Yah, I took it out already, thanks for the tip on michaels, I'll check it out! There is a gravel pit about 30 min away with large stones, little more work, as I'll have to boil them.

There is actually a cuttle bone in there already, it is usually under the dock near the plants, but looks like it floated to the back right corner in this pic. The turtle likes to play with it and push it around.

The pleco needs food too! Plus there is lettuce in it. The turtle loves eating it as welp, and the guppies.

[DavidY]

Looks really nice! Can't wait to see the turtle!

[Rachel__23]

he is in the second last pic, look just to the left of the zuccini, look close, you'll see his head peaking out of the plant, and the top edge of his shell

[DavidY]

Oh yea, i can see him now. He's so small! He must love having all that room to swim around in and the pots and plants to investigate.

[Rachel__23]

actually the pots were an idea I had for my last turtle. He loves to hide in them, makes a nice decoration, and all for about $1 each! great effect for little money! And its funny cuz I always say he, but my last turtle was a female, this one, I'm not sure yet, but it's name is Sheldon.
This tank is a 20gallon long tank, perfect for now. I am upgrading to a 100-125 gallon in about a year or so. That pleco is going to grow to about 12 inches in length, and then the turtle.... so combined definate need for a large tank. But they're ok for now, and he loves all of his swimming area!

[DavidY]

Ooo, a 125 gallon. Nice!

[Rachel__23]

I coaxed him out with some tubifex worms, so I've finally been able to get some pics of him, here they are:

[DavidY]

Cool! He's a cutie! Thanks for the pics!

[Rocky YBS]

cool set up.
can i ask a question?
what can i make ramp out of, so my turts wont have to work to hard on getting to the basking area?
thank you!

[myrtle1123]

I know you said you can't find river rocks but if you still have that gravel in there take it out now. It is better to have a bare bottom than one with gravel but if you already took it out than that is good. You can get river rocks in a little green netting at the dollar store...they are the polished kind. Nice set-up by the way.

It looks like you have a veggie clip in there, instead of putting zuchini or something for the plecco on it, why not put a piece of cuttlebone on it for the turtles?

Yeah Take the gravel out! I did and it is soooo much easier to clean! I also dont have to worry about myrtle eating the gravel. The bare bottom actually dont look to bad! It looks way cleaner and it is cleaner! Then the turtle poop dont get under the rocks and the filter cant pic it up!

You dont want to have a turtle with gravel in their belly. He/ she can die if he swallows to much!




Anyways.. otherwise I love the setup! I like the flower pots! they look awesome in there!

[Rachel__23]

cool set up.
can i ask a question?
what can i make ramp out of, so my turts wont have to work to hard on getting to the basking area?
thank you!

you have a couple ramp options.... I just use a pre fabricated turtle dock. I love it! It floats, so no matter what the water level it's alwys the same amount above and below water.
the other option is get some slate. you can build up the height with some bricks, then use a peice of slate (get a peice that is wide at one side, and the other side is sloped (so if you had a cross section it looks like a triangle) voila! a ramp for turtle. You can buy perfect shaped peices of slate at pet stores usually. I'm in Canada , and hey have great rock selection at Super pet.

To the other person who posted, I did already remove the rocks, those pic were a few weeks old. I hate the look of the bare bottom, looks too sterile. I like a slightly more natural look. I'm actually going wandering today to find some river stones, as I do live by a river......and I'm checking out michaels for some accent stones. I saw they had them for sale in the online flyer!