Habitat - Indoor :: need help with making a better turtle tank

[francinemarie]

my turtle's name is Crush. she's 4yrs old & 6inches long . i know i know i'm supposed to have at least 60 gallon tank, but all i have is a 20 gallon & that's what she's in right now . i want to put her in a tank that is the same length as mine, but a bit taller & wider. but i can't afford a 60 gallon tank. i also have an extra spare tank. i'd like to add it to the tank i have now, but i don't know how & i don't have room to make it into an L-shaped tank. does anyone have any ideas of how to get her or make her a bigger tank?



i've read & looked at MANY different type of platforms & this is the platform i made for her for now.






please help. i really want to give her a bigger tank, but i don't have $200-400 to spend . i've looked on craig's list, but everyone who possibly has a good deal on tanks are either too far away from me or too big to fit anywhere in my house.

i also have this extra spare tank

is there any way of combining this with tank i'm using now?

[LeslieMW]

2 words: rubbermaid tanks. lol

it's what i'm gonna have to do eventually.

[PcBuilder14]

It would be better to just use the turtle dock, buy some light diffuser/egg crate or somechicken wire and build a screen so you can raise the water level.

[Reel Girl]

I don't have any advice (I am pretty new to the RES world) but I had to say that I think your turtle looks pretty darn healthy and you just gave me a great idea for using the small turtle dock that my guy outgrew for a ramp!

[francinemarie]

2 words: rubbermaid tanks. lol

it's what i'm gonna have to do eventually.

lol yea i heard of those too, but i have nowhere to just place/lie the tanks. i can't just lie it on any floor & i don't want any children reaching into the turtle tank. thank you though

[francinemarie]

I don't have any advice (I am pretty new to the RES world) but I had to say that I think your turtle looks pretty darn healthy and you just gave me a great idea for using the small turtle dock that my guy outgrew for a ramp!

haha thank you! i guess she is since she is so big. i read that some people have RES that is also 4 yrs old but much smaller than mine. i'm also quite new, but i've been CONSTANTLY reading & looking at all the best materials/foods for a RES. i'm glad i gave you a good idea

[francinemarie]

It would be better to just use the turtle dock, buy some light diffuser/egg crate or somechicken wire and build a screen so you can raise the water level.

i would like to use your idea, but i'm not sure how. how would i use my turtle dock as the basking area when i raise the water level? do you mean use the light diffuser as a border to prevent her from falling from the basking area? and what would i use as a ramp?

[Kemul]

@francinemarie

You may want to look at the galleries for pictures of ATBA. Search for the term "ATBA" and you'll find lots of info and pictures. I think ATBA stands for "Above Tank Basking Area".

Basically, you need to build a basking area and put it on top of your tank. That way, you can fill the tank to full capacity. You may need to build fences around the top of your tank to prevent escape.

You'll get the idea once you see a pic Good way to start looking is here.

[francinemarie]

@francinemarie

You may want to look at the galleries for pictures of ATBA. Search for the term "ATBA" and you'll find lots of info and pictures. I think ATBA stands for "Above Tank Basking Area".

Basically, you need to build a basking area and put it on top of your tank. That way, you can fill the tank to full capacity. You may need to build fences around the top of your tank to prevent escape.

You'll get the idea once you see a pic Good way to start looking is here.

oh lol, i've looked in that post about 5 times. all the basking areas are beautiful! i have been thinking of different ways to make an ATBA (i even drew sketches ). i was just wondering though, if i use the tank i have now to make her an ATBA, will it be long enough for her? because she is really big for her age. thank you for your help

[untsmurf]

She's actually right about the size she should be for her age. Females get much bigger than males. I think your best bet would be to get some sort of rubbermaid tub. I realize that you can't just leave in on the floor, but could you put it where your tank is now? Could you go to a thrift store and buy a little desk for it? This way it will be off the floor and out of reach of little hands.

I can't think of anyway to use the second tank. And it looks like the way you have it set up right now that it would be super easy for your turtle to escape. They are amazing climbers.

[francinemarie]

She's actually right about the size she should be for her age. Females get much bigger than males. I think your best bet would be to get some sort of rubbermaid tub. I realize that you can't just leave in on the floor, but could you put it where your tank is now? Could you go to a thrift store and buy a little desk for it? This way it will be off the floor and out of reach of little hands.

I can't think of anyway to use the second tank. And it looks like the way you have it set up right now that it would be super easy for your turtle to escape. They are amazing climbers.

yea after reading so much about RES, i thought she was right size for her age too. i was wondering if rubbermaids also come in the type of plastic that is kind of see through. perhaps then i could get that type (because i would like to see Crush swimming around in her tank). and if i get a rubbermaid one, would i be able to put it on top of the desk that i have now?

i couldn't find any other way to use the 2nd tank either . i know she'd be able to escape through the way my tank is set up now, but she actually isn't the type that would , but of course i won't take that chance. i acutally came back from petsmart to buy her food & went to look for the egg crates (light diffusers) that i can use to make her a basking area.

no one has really answered this question, but if i do make her an ATBA, would it be long enough for her to have some space?

NOTE*: also to anyone else who reads this.... i've been looking at tanks, but it seems that i can only afford a 29gal tall (which is about $75). do you think it would at least be better for her? i know long tanks are preferred, but i'm thinking that the amount of depth would compensate for it

[steve]

She looks beautiful. A 29 tall would not be very good... you can get a plastic storage container that would be +40 gallons to start with. $100 should get you at least a 100 gallon stock tank (large, black plastic tanks) though 150 gallon would be much better. Depending on where you live, you can get a much better deal on it.

[francinemarie]

She looks beautiful. A 29 tall would not be very good... you can get a plastic storage container that would be +40 gallons to start with. $100 should get you at least a 100 gallon stock tank (large, black plastic tanks) though 150 gallon would be much better. Depending on where you live, you can get a much better deal on it.

she is beautiful, thank you! are there any plastic storage containers that may be kind of clear so that i can see her swimming? the only spot i can put her habitat is where it is now . would a 40 gallon or 100 gallons fit in the spot that i have available for her? i live in NJ & there's always a change in weather here.

[steve]

The plastic kind would be translucent, so it's not so bad. However, these are not designed to hold water and are limited in size, so it should not be filled all the way up or be used long-term. I would still consider a stock tank, though it would be on the floor and it is solid black.

[francinemarie]

The plastic kind would be translucent, so it's not so bad. However, these are not designed to hold water and are limited in size, so it should not be filled all the way up or be used long-term. I would still consider a stock tank, though it would be on the floor and it is solid black.

ahh, i've seen the stock tanks & i'm definitely not too crazy about them. i've been looking online for cheap, but big enough glass tank for her & then also making an ATBA. since i definitely do not have the $ to spend on a nice 60 gallon for her (although i wish i did), what size glass tank would you think is a good size for her?

i was looking at somewhat long/tall tank for her because the only place i have to put her tank is where it is now. i know long tanks are preferred, but if i get a longer one, it won't fit in the place where she is now