General Care Discussion :: Pokey's New Habitat

[Pokey's Grandpa]

Well I got Pokey out of the plastic ice cream tub into a... bigger tupperware type tub.

I cleaned all these rocks and made sure they were too big for him to eat and then I read this:

"One thing I'll recommend now is removing the gravel from the bottom of the tank. It's unhealthy for a turtle for a number of reasons, one being that as he grows he will try to eat it. If it doesn't pass from his system, he could get really ill. Also, substrate at the bottom of the tank traps debris that pollutes the water. You need to have very clean/ good water quality for a healthy turtle. "

So then I decided to ditch the rocks and now I just have a large flat rock in the tupperware tub, with enough water for him to swim around in, and that's it. I have a light for heat near it and I want to know if this will at least work until I can afford a tank and some lighting and filtering equipment?

[sonyj]

Do you have any kind of basking area that he can haul completely out of the water to get dry and warm? If not try to get one ASAP. It can be homemade out of PVC pipe for example or bought like the floating kind. But be sure he has one under the basking lights so he won't develop shell rot.

Rubbermaid tubs make good temporary homes until you can afford a tank or something larger (stock tank/pond). You can get one relatively cheap at Walmart or someplace such as 40+ gallons for under $20. Then you will have money for the other things.

Also check classifieds, freecycle.org, or craigslist for cheap or free options.

[Pokey's Grandpa]

Actually I should edit or make a new post I guess since when my girlfriend came home we went out and bought Sir Pokes-A-Lot a new glass aquarium with one of those cool floating basking areas I have seen some other people here have, with the suction cups and the incline to get in and out easily. He swims everywhere in it and he loves it so much, thanks for the help.

Next on the list: lights and filters

[sonyj]

Great!