Habitat - Indoor :: 20 gallon setup w/ above-tank basking area

[feels]

Still a work in progress. Suggestions welcomed.











Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Sli0vYTzA


Tank:
20 Gallon Tank (Long) 30x12x12
Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Aquarium Power Filter (200B)
Marineland Visi-Therm Stealth Submersible Aquarium Heater (100W)
Drainage Grill (uses as a ladder)
Wood Plank Platform

Accessories:
T-Rex Dayspot Light Bulb (100W)
Ford Mustang GT Toy Car (Dub Edition)

Basking Area Materials:
Behr Premium Plus Interior/Exterior Hi-Gloss Paint (Black), 1/8” Masonite Sheets, 3/4” Corkboard Sheets, Lexan Sheet, Gray Carpet, Small Screws, Nails

Tools:
Handsaw, Ryobi 7.2 Volt Drill, X-Acto Utility Knife, Alvin Cutting Mat, 3M Super 77 Multipurpose Spray Adhesive

Future Projects:
Basking Shelter, Background Display


(Japanese Yuzen Paper)

[Daniel3507]

keep the mustang. shorten the ladder so there is more swimming room

[BullDog]

Looks good! Just don't be upset if the car ends up in the water

[untsmurf]

I would take the car out! There are too many possibilities for injury with that thing inside. Turtles are notorious diggers and climbers, it could easily injury itself with that in there. Also, it doesn't appear that the ramp is attached to anything, so if the turtle swims behind it, it could fall. I would get a smaller ramp. Make sure you have a bulb that produces heat and one that produces UVB rays. Also, with that kind of filter and tank size, your water is going to get dirty pretty quickly. You might want to consider getting a bigger tank before spending anymore on the basking area.

[Daniel3507]

you will need a bigger tank very soon. is the mustang not held down by anything? i was under the impression it was.

[mat012]

Love the paper!

[feels]

Thanks everyone. The car is made of die-cast metal and is pretty stationary because of its weight. As of right now, I don't worry about the car moving; my turtle can hardly climb the thing. But yeah, if my turtle gets bigger...

My turtle's a pretty shy basker. So it immediately jumps into the water if it sees anyone. Will it be a continual problem? Or does a turtle's temperament change with its environment? I could probably ditch the top box altogether for something more private..

[turboturtle8]

Very nice
Can't wait to see what it looks like when it turns out!

[Daniel3507]

if you just got your turtle that will change. mine used to dive into the water when i would walk in and it was basking. now he lets me pet him when he's basking

[zoologist]

Torti still doesnt like to bask if any one comes in the room. she's gotten to a point that if i walk into the room and see her basking but i don't stare at her and i ignore her she will stay up there for a few minutes. but if i pay attention to her she's off of that thing.
but if any one else comes in the room, she's down to the bottom of the tank like a rocket

[untsmurf]

In general, turtles tend to lose their shyness with age. You might try putting a hide or two in the tank, that way she has somewhere to go when she's scared. It will help her feel more secure.