Photo Gallery :: New 90g/40g "L"-shaped tank setup

[grey goose]

Very cool, thanks.

[DavidY]

Thanks, Nathan! What was the problem with the pic links I posted?

[N4784N R4613]

Probably your host, I just saved them to my comp, then re-uploaded then with www.imageshack.us. It is free, and you don't have to go though the hassle of signing-up for anything.

[DavidY]

Okay, so I've been working on this setup off and on and I'm trying to decide whether to put the live planted area under the basking platform in the 90gal, or to put it in the 40gal. The 90gal is too deep for the light to adequately reach the plants at the bottom of the tank, so I was thinking of suspending a box/cage under the basking platform (made out of eggcrate material so the light shines through). That would free up some swimming area underneath, but it wouldn't look as nice. Here's a drawing...


The other option is to raise the height of the 40g so it's the same as the 90g, and then extend the basking platform over part of the 40g and then just run eggcrate from the end of the platform to the bottom of the tank so I can grow the plants in there...


The other good thing about the second design is that I have an XP3 for the 90gal which should be more than enough to keep the water clean. But I only have an Aquaclear and a Zoo Med Turtle filter on the 40gal so I think the live plants would help keep that tank clean.

Any suggestions, ideas, critiques?

[SpotsMama]

Oooo - that's nice! I like the second design because there's no wasted space. However, how much swimming space would be left after the plants have moved in? Maybe it wouldn't be enough to keep your turtle happy. From the turtle's perspective, maybe plan A is preferable.

[DavidY]

Well, the diagram shows the 90gal from the side. The two tanks will form an "L" shape so they'll have 4 feet of length to swim in that tank. The 40gal will still have 2 feet of length to swim in. Hmmm....

[musicalturtles]

i love the idea! but but but! arent the turtles going to fall from there? like how its like a bridge

[DavidY]

I've got wooden boards along the back of the tanks and ramp and I'm going to build a plexiglass wall for the front and sides. That way I can fill both tanks close to the top with water without having to worry about them escaping.

[grey goose]

I would leave the 40 gallon as bare as possible for maximun swimming room. Maybe just put a hiding spot there.
You're giving me some ideas though.....maybe 2 90 gals. setup?

[DavidY]

Goose, I'm stealing a lot of your ideas for my basking area setup! Your tank design (along with several others here) is a major inspiration for me in this project.

[grey goose]

Thats whats great about this forum, I went thru alot of trial and error (mostly error) before I figured out whats good for my turts, then I just shared it with everyone!

[kmichael55]

looks good, i like the first setup, more room to swim

[DavidY]

hmmm...

[turtlesrock77]

Wow, that is a great idea. It's coming along beautifully, can't wait to see it when it's finished!

[megcornell]

That's such a cool idea, I can't wait to see how the turtles like it.