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Hi there! So I had a wonderful weekend in Naples, Florida (much warmer than here in NY!). There were little ponds all over and we saw lots of sliders about. Some were HUGE! They were all so cute. Anyhoo, I now can't get over my guilt. I feel like no matter how wonderful an environment I create for my turts... it's a crappy life. I mean, these guys had beautiful ponds. They were munching on some sort of greens growing on rocks. They were basking on rocks, crawling in real grass....

so I got to thinking. I can't do a pond as I have no property. At all. But perhaps I can make my tank more pond like. So... does anyone know any answers to ehse questions? All help is appreciated.

1. I loved watching them munch on the greenery growing on the rocks. Does anyone know of water plants that do this? I definitely don't want to add dirt to the tank. But perhaps if there is a plant that grows on rocks? I could add rocks (not pebbles, stones--big river rocks) to the floor.

2. I have seen some pretty amazing set ups on this site. I would like to make a basking area with plants and grass for them. However, I don't want them dragging dirt into the tank everytime they enter. To me, this sounds impossible but hey! no harm in asking! Does anyone have a set up with a real grass basking area, and a foolproof method for keeping out the dirt?

that's it--for now. Maybe if I can do something it will alleviate some of my guilt. I just feel sad for them!!

don't feel guilty :]
at least they ended up with someone who cares about them like you
and not someone who will neglect them :]
i'm sure your turtles are very happy

I agree. Don't overlook the fact that you've provided your turts a PREDATOR FREE environment with a steady source of food

Anyhow, for the plants growing on rocks, I think that's usually a type of algae. I'm not sure how you could encourage the long type of algae to grow on your rocks... There are other aquatic plants you can put in your tank though. I hear anachris is easy to grow, and turts love it!

That's a neat idea about the grass basking, but I think it would be very hard to do. You would need to water the grass, but also have the water able to drain.
Some people have done sand basking areas. If the turtles track the sand into the water, it's not too big of a deal because you can suck it out.

Live plants could make it more pond like, but your turts will tear em up and you will constantly have to keep buying new ones.. Also fish if you dont do feeder fish yet, maybe real lil pads, which will be eatin also.

First, have you considered sand instead of dirt? Some plants can grow in sand, and if you have a sand substrate at the bottom, you won't have to worry about it being drug into the water!

Second, there is at least some type of cat grass that grows in water. You can buy these water dishes with a little holder thing that you put the grass in. You could try hydroponic plants?

there is no good way to keep dirt out of the water and sand does get dragged in too; it's just easier to take care of because it all sinks to the bottom of the tank, which can be cool, but they will eat and it takes at least 2-3 months to get it all out of their systems, which i've witnessed first hand...minus the grass maybe, any live plants will be destroyed on land just like in the water....you can find some pretty convincing fake ones though on natural wood and stuff that still have a pond like appearance....
i've slaved over the idea of real stuff growing out of the water though and i did have an idea which would take care of the dirt problem--i think, only idea i haven't been able to try--if you bought a few square feet of sod from a garden center or whatever and had a nice amount of space/depth to put in dirt you could lay that ish down on the dirt and it would be instantly covered so nothing or very minimal dirt would get in the tank...and watering properly you shouldn't need to drain....but that'd be a pretty big set up....i'd still like to see it tried though....

Hey KikiCool! Long time no see/read!

Don't feel too bad. Like everyone else said, you're providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for your turtles. And I'm sure they've grown accustomed to you and would miss you terribly if they were out in the harsh world on their own.

If you want to grow green rocks, just take a couple of good size rocks and put them in a container of water and set it in a sunny window. Maybe add some fish food or a pellet or two, or better yet, some of the turtle's tank water (complete with the bottom gunk from their water change). You should have some nicely covered rocks within a week or two. Hey, that's a neat idea...I think I'll try it too!

Max had a really nice, natural looking basking area. He used a piece of slate tile, I think, instead of grass but if I remember correctly it looked planted. He put up a pretty long thread about it.

There have been a few people on here who insist on have natural tank setups, I think if you search for them you should be able to find them. But if I remember correctly, it was a lot of mud and logs.

(I to5 qlo5 or moww t4o2int 4ith5 no2 on pu4pow3 5o tf3 i5 q li55l3 mo43 nq5u4ql r33lint) lol i tried to type without looking..

I got alot of moss growing right now on purpose to give it a little more natural feeling.

Screwhead, do you have a pond or tank? If a tank, how did you get moss to grow?

DavidY: Hi! great suggestion! My concern though, is that you don't really know what grew in there, you know? It could be bacteria-ridden. Am I being paranoid now?

Macadocious, great idea! But I don't think I'd have enough room. I do think the sod would work though... hm...

I'd be too worried about them eating sand. All those posts about how bad it is for them to eat little rocks--can sand be any better? It may not clog them up, but those bits can be sharp!

Does anacris require dirt? I guess I just KNOW that there are SO many water plants out there. Lily pads are a nice idea.... hmmm....

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll keep ya posted!

Anacharis doesn't need to be planted to grow, it absorbs nutrients through its leaves. I grow mine in a separate tank because if I put a lot in my tank at once it just makes a big mess. I use fake plants for decoration/hiding.

Thanks!! I think I'll check some out.

You should try water hyacinths. They're floaters and they double in number about every week. They also remove metals and soften the water.

You could just put your tank next to the window for a little while to get moss.

Well,don't feel guilty.They have someone who cares and loves them,and I'm sure you have a good set-up,and that you take care of them wonderfully,so please don't feel guilty!