General Care Discussion :: Turtle sustrate

[heliwr123]

Im so tired with my turtle trying to eat rocks, eating sand, sand getting in filter, etc.
I want to somehow glue rocks to the bottom of the tank and be done with this. Its getting on my nerves.
Ive seen some people also make a fake sand bed at the bottom. They acrylic, epoxy it.
So what is safe for them?

[steve]

What about a nice print of river rock or sand and place it under the glass? I suppose glueing/silicone is an option, just keep it away from the edge, near the seams of the tanks seal. I'd imagine fake sand would be much more difficult. One person also used plastic grass to line a smaller tank. It looked pretty slick, though cleaning might be a real pain. One person also used tile/slate cut to fit the bottom of the tank. You'd probably need to lift it regularly to clean out the gunk that gets trapped.

[heliwr123]

i feel so dumb asking but what do yu mean by under the glass? lifting up the tank? putting the rocks then a piece of glass IN the tank?

[steve]

On most glass aquariums, there is a plastic frame on top and one one bottom. So you should be able to slip something printed on paper under the tank and it'll show through the glass plate.

[heliwr123]

wow not on mine. ill just slip something through the tank and stand. thanks for the idea!

[Kansasslider]

To me substrate is more than just something pretty to look at. My turtles use the sand to navigate the bottom of the tank. Much like wild turtles use mud sand and rocks. I've had sand in my tanks from the start of turtle keeping without issue. A little gets in my filters without harm so far. I'm not sure if the eat it I've never seen them do it anyway. Sorry it didn't work out for you.

[heliwr123]

To me substrate is more than just something pretty to look at. My turtles use the sand to navigate the bottom of the tank. Much like wild turtles use mud sand and rocks. I've had sand in my tanks from the start of turtle keeping without issue. A little gets in my filters without harm so far. I'm not sure if the eat it I've never seen them do it anyway. Sorry it didn't work out for you.

see, my MSMT ate it, but it passes no prob. it gets in the filter is my only annoyance. Poop + sand = eww

[Kansasslider]

You can raise your intake or put a sponge over it.