General Care Discussion :: :?: about sand/dig box for Hurley

[raverqueenage]

I have a question about dig boxes/nest boxes. I know I read somewhere that females like to have one, but would a male? And what substrate can I use? We don't have a problem sectioning off a little area on the bottom of his tank with putting in plexi and such to make it secure and so the substrate doesn't spill out all over the bottom of the tank.

Is it worth the time to make it for him? He loves to dig and kick at his flat glass rocks and the rubber cat toys in there with him and it got me wondering.

Is sand a bad choice? I know gravel is out. I don't want to try and find that dirt you can put in fish tanks. What else is there thats safe? We plan to upgrade him to a 75+ gallon so there will be plenty of room to do this.


I just want to spoil my little Hurley man. Am I going a little overboard with that? LOL

[Take-One]

If he enjoys it, I'd say go for it.

[TheComputerGremlin]

For females, you typically use a potting soil/sand mix, so I'd stick with that. Make sure you take all of the sticks and hard things out of the potting soil, though, and get one that is chemical free. But I don't see why a boy wouldn't like it, in nature they would be able to dig around!

[Chrisbarnett]

So your going to make this underwater from what it sounds like?

Sand would be perfect. Just wash it extremely well.

I don't see why he wouldn't enjoy it.

[octpusgirl8]

Aquatic plant substrate would be reaally messy. It tends to cloud the water for a while when it's disturbed. Sand would be great, but it would inevitably migrate out of the sandbox and into the rest of the tank. I would say if you go that route you might as well do sand on the whole tank bottom. I've been thinking about taking the plunge and putting in sand lately, it sure does look nice.

[Chrisbarnett]

octopusgirl8 has a good point. Sand will end up migrating out of the box.

Sand is a great substrate. You should consider just changing the whole tank over. Squirt likes to walk and dig in his sand. In the morning before his lights are turned on you can see tons of little foot marks in the sand.

[mat012]

Tuck does the same. I find little ditches all over the bottom. Its fun to watch him. Sometimes I think he is more dog than turtle.

[steve]

I don't know about male or female RES enjoying dig boxes/nest boxes. I tried a nesting box and it was a total failure.

But this will be part of the tank? He might take to it more if he has regular access to it. I think someone has made an external version of one too...