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Hi all,

We're frequent readers of the forum from before and after the re-launch, but never posted much. We thought we'd share some pics of the hexagonal tank we had built a few months ago for our 2 RES Piggy and Timid. The size is about 55 gallons and the filter and heater are mounted underneath the basking rock. The guys love to hide under there, too.

Of course, they've both shed their scutes twice since moving in, so it seems like they're determined to outgrow it asap. By that time, we hope to have them in an outdoor pond, and the next generation (Scurvy & Tweezer -- species unknown, more on which later) can inherit the tank.

Phil & Diya

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/philip_lentz/album?.dir=c987&.src=ph

Very nice pics and RES! The tank is unusual, and it's nice to see one on the floor. What kind of filter are you using? Maybe it's the angle, but do they have enough swimming room? (The rock looks quite large.) How tall is the tank? I do like the look of it.

I love your tank. It is beautiful. Where did you have it built and about how much does a custom tank like that cost?

just moving this to the photo gallery


that's a really nice looking tank! I was going to buy a hexagonal one but the girl at the pet store told me it wouldn't hold all that water, that it would break.

how many gallons is that? How big are the turts?

WoW that is very nice! i love the look of it. i am jelous! ;D

that tank looks soo natural.. esp that nite shot. looks great! how often and how long does it take u to clean that tank? how big are ur turts?

Hi all!

Thank you everyone for your compliments. We'll try to hit all the questions at once. First of all, we should mention that we live in Amman, Jordan. We moved here with our RES from the US 1.5 years ago. (They were supposed to travel in cargo, but we begged the pilot and he put them in his personal space behind the cockpit.) They're almost 3 yrs old now. Timid is 5 inches (length) and Piggy is a bit stunted at 4.

Each panel on the hexagon is 40cm wide X 45cm high, which works out to about 55gal. We fill it to about 2/3. The glass is 8mm and it all rests on a sheet of foam rather than directly on the floor.

We designed the tank ourselves and looked here in Amman for someone to build it. Five or six stores told us it was impossible, but finally we found one (the most reputable in the country, actually) who said no problem and quoted a price of $250US for the whole setup - tank/heater/filter/rock formation, and 5 yr warranty on all of it. We'd guess the price would be much higher in the States. It's been about 3 months now and there is no sign of any trouble. It seems very solid.

They seem to have enough swimming space right now - although how long that will last, we'll see. The rock formation (which looks bigger when seen through the glass and water) is hollow on the inside, with the filter/heater only taking up a small space at the bottom. So they can swim all the way through underneath -- or hang out there, which they do all the time. Still, we'll probably take out a big removable chunk of the formation soon to give them more space.

The filter is a "Resun" 1200L -- dunno if the brand is available in the US. According to the box it outputs 700L/hour. It's mechanical/biological, with foam and plastic media. We change the water gradually, skimming out a few liters and adding a few once a week or so. Whenever we notice the bottom looking mucky (not often), we siphon around all the river rocks (15-20 mins). About once a month the water starts looking yellowish and we rinse out the cartridge, which takes 5 minutes. It's really very easy maintenance and there's been no smell or buildup of any kind.

Whew, think we got everything there, but if not, ask away.

On a last note -- if anyone here knows about species other than RES, we'll be posting soon in the General Care forum about some hatchlings we acquired and have yet to identify. Luckily, though, their care is equivalent to RES.

Best,
Phil & Diya

Do post pics. Are they native to Jorden? You could try identifying them here: http://www.chelonia.org/bygeography.htm

But we'd love to see them.