Habitat - Indoor :: Starting Up A New Tank

[Vivi]

Well im going to start up a new tank for my lil guy he's been needing one for the longest. here are the things that i plan to buy and please all suggestions are welcomed. First the basic's: 80 90 gallon tank. XP3 filter and the media but im confused about what to put in it. UVB light and regular light. A digital thermometer. After I buy the basics and set it all up then I will buy the "other" stuff. Oh about the basking site well since he is still small can he still use the floating ones right? he is just like 2 inches. one more thing can i fill up the entire tank?? Is there such thing as too much water?? oh one more thing I was seeing the things at big als and i was wondering if i should put a U.V. Sterilizer?? if yes can you please explain to me what it does and everything. Will i think that should be everything a tank should have if theres anything im missing then please tell me. thanxs in advance.

[steve]

80-90 gallons is a great start. XP3 should come with some media, I do not remember if it came with bio-media (which should cost about $10). For a basking area, you can use a piece of cork bark, a suction-cup dock or make your own. If you fill the entire tank, you will need a screen for the top. A UV sterilizer kills algae spores, bacteria and protozoa but I don't know of anyone who uses them with turts. I believe its mostly for more delicate aquatics. I would recommend adding a water heater, even if you live in LA.

[Vivi]

oh yea i knew i forgot something haha. well i dont plan to fill it all the way if i get the 90 gallon tank i will most likely put 70 gallons in it or 80 but i think i should put the screen anyways.