General Care Discussion :: The Quest for a new home...a turtle saga part 1

[Andrew7769]

OK so here's the deal my poor George has been stuck in a small tank since i got him and the 55gal tank i had earmarked for him developed a crack and though i mended it i didn't really trust it with 50gals of water so i sold it 1 my friend for his snake. so as i was in my basement i made a discovery! a 50gal storage container!! so now its time 2 setup his new home. Now, i was thinking of getting a turtle dock but i can build one now i need some advice what should i do? i got the container, heater, lights including uvb, and filters anything i'm leaving out? now the question is should i spring for the turtle dock or get creative and make my own? will post pics soon!

[missibsu]

Make sure that if you get a turtle dock that it will fit and hold in the storage container. Some people have had issues because the suction cups won't hold. If you decide to go the route of building your own, you can browse the pictures in the gallery for ideas. I have seen many wonderful things there. I personally would go with the dock because it is easier, but if you have a creative streak, then I'd say build one. At least you can get what you want that way!

[Andrew7769]

it has flat sides it should work goin 2 get it tommorow morning if it dosent work ill jus build my own i have TONS of things 2 do tommorow im so excited!

[sonyj]

Be careful filling the storage container full of water. The plastic tends to bow when filled with water at a higher level (since it's not made to hold water). If you have a way, you could make a brace that goes around it to help support the sides.

Good luck with your new set-up.

[Andrew7769]

hmmm yea i will consider that is the bowing severe usally?

[steve]

If it's filled more than half-way with water, you're pushing it without support. Plus, with or without support, you'll eventually get some cracks along the bottom. Suction cups also don't work well but the ESU platform (no suction cups) I used previously worked well when I used it in a 40 gallon plastic tub.

[Andrew7769]

ok.. thanks for the advice i will have a better idea when i set it up im leaving for the pet store soon for some supplies then its time 2 set up georges new hom

[Andrew7769]

PICS REPOSTED IN PHOTO GALLERY

[sonyj]

LOL... and I thought my daughter's room was always messy!

His new home looks very roomy (even if it is in a closet). The light seems a little too far from the basking area though. Have you measured the basking temp yet? Also, I didn't see a UVB light in the pics. Do you have one for him? And remember that the UVB light needs to be close to the basking area since the further away it is the less UVB rays he will get.

Just a thought, but you could add some plants for him to make his home a little homier.

[Andrew7769]

i am going 2 put some plants in soon and the uvb light is to high up(its the one over the tank) and i just need 2 rig it lower the heating lamp is clamped 2 the tank

[missibsu]

Geez, Sonja, you think that room is a mess. I won't post pics of mine. You might have heart failure. My mom gave up on me years ago.

[Andrew7769]

heh my dad dosent come in my room anymore btw that was AFTER i cleaned up a bit

[sonyj]

Well, I'm one of those obsessive compulsive people who have a place for everything... sometimes I even annoy myself and especially my kids. I wouldn't say that I'm too far gone, but I definitely hate seeing my kids rooms messy and cluttered so about every 2 weeks when I can't stand it anymore they do have to clean them.

They used to know just how to work it so I'd be the one cleaning them, but I overheard my daughter laughing and telling my husband one night that she could always get me to end up being the one cleaning up their rooms for them. Well, needless to say that put an end to my helping them and now they have to do it on their own. lol

Andrew, that's good that you'll be moving the UVB light lower. After all, why have one if the turtle can't enjoy the full benefits , right?