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megcornell wrote:I'd switch out the floating thermometers. Turtles have a tendency to bite them and break them. I'd get digital ones. They aren't much more expensive. Mine were $8 or $10.
Well theyre not really floaters, theyre the ones that have a single suction cup and stick to the side of the tank. I did actually consider digitals at first but with turtles needing just that right amount of temp for the water and me not wanting to come home to turtle soup I decided to go with the "original" more acurate thermometers. I suppose though that I coul go digital and use the regular thermometers to check the digitals weekly.

I'd also make sure the clamp lamp is correct for a MVB bulb, I don't have one so I'm not familiar with what they need to be in.
I actually did check the dome out and its rated for MVB's up to 160W and the bulb I'll be getting is a 100W which should be more than enough for the basking spot.

The only other thing I see is if you're planning on getting a hatchling you'll want some floating plants so they have places to rest on the surface of the tank. That's a large tank and they could easily get exhausted. I'd probably get some even for an older turtle because chances are they won't be used to such a large tank either.
I do plan on getting a hatchling / juvenile... I'll be going with a Rio Grande slider. As for floating plants what do you mean exactly ? I get the whole floating aspect but do you mean ones that like float mid water but suction cup the the inside of the tank or something so they dont go to the top ? Maybe you could post some links to some of your favorite floater plants

Other than that, it looks great. It make me jealous that I didn't have the means or the time to plan out a final set up before getting a turtle. You're really doing yourself and your turtle a huge favor.
Well like I've said in some of my other posts, I'd rather spend alot now and be safe then spend a little and be sorry later just to end up spending more. It's funny though, Ive always wanted a turtle but havent thought about em for almost the past yr. Then all of a sudden one day I stumbled upon this site and went hmm... why not lets do it.

And as for the food, that really depends on the turtle you choose and what age they are as younger vs older turtles have slightly different requirements.
This is what I'll be going to use as a staple food basically, its the same food the retailer uses to feed their hatchlings / older turtles. Of course I do know I'd still have to have a varied diet which is why I was asking for suggestions on food and vitamin supplements etc.

untsmurf wrote:With a tank that size, you're going to want to add a few bubble discs/sticks. It will help to agitate the water.
[color=red]I plan on going with like three 18" bubble wands. One for each of the sides then the third for the back wall.

As for food, reptomin or mazuri are considered to be the best.
Check above for a link to the food I'd more or less be using as a staple, but I can also add both of those to my list so this way I'd have three foods to alternate on then all I should have to worry about is the vitamin stuff and occasional leafy foods.

You could switch out your sand for play sand from Wal-Mart. They are $3 for a 25lb bag. That's what we used in our tank and it works wonderfully. Then you'd only have to buy 8 bags and only spend about $25.
I actually considered that but I like how the ExoTerra riverbed sand looks with its multi color. Ya it would cost me a lil over $200 for the amount of bags that I'd need to achieve the 2" of sand but I feel it will be well worth it all be it a tad pricey at the time of purchase.

You should also add some fake foliage and some hides. This will help your turtle feel secure in its new tank. Also, it will give your turtle something to rest on as it's swimming around. We have three different sizes in ours, short, medium, and the same height as the tank. They also come in different designs and colors.
Could you please post some pics of your tank and maybe even some links to some of your favorite fake foliage / hides that I could consider for myself

You might want to add a veggie clip. It makes feeding vegetables much easier, and it's easier to monitor how much your turtle ate. Plus, they're only about $1.50.
Never even heard / seen one of those before... but I'll see if I can find one on the site I frequent.

Also, you'll want to get a water de-chlorinator. I use Tetra Aquasafe.
Ahh, good idea heh... I thought of it at one point but I guess I forgot

You can add some egg crate or a hood of some sort. This will allow you to fill the tank up farther than if you don't have the tank secured.
Well, I already have a plan to make a homemade hood / ATBA but I figure that will be the last thing on my "to do" list which is why I have the large floating turtle dock. This way I can get away with using that while I take my time working on the homade stuff.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Besides a power strip. But yeah, that should give you the perfect setup.
If you look I already have a digital timer / power strip on my list. I'm gonna use it to cycle the basking light on and off at night as well as using the "night" sockets to start up the moonlight bulb I wana add for night time viewing.

crackerlady2007 wrote:Looks like you're cracking! Be sure and post pictures when it's all set up!

Chrisbarnett wrote:Everything sounds pretty good except the sand. Thats ridiculous.

Just get a few 50 lb bags of the 3m color quartz, in brown and black, and mix them together. You'll have the same thing for cheaper.
Last time I checked, shipping was free.

http://www.vbpstore.com/50-lb-bag-of-3m ... uartz.html

Chrisbarnett wrote:I doubt ceramic would leech, tons of things are ceramic.