Habitat - Indoor :: Tank Material

[BabyTurtleEver]

I'm looking into buying a bigger tank for Turtle (he's going through yet another growth spurt and shedding like crazy). I was all set to go get the most enormous plastic tub I could find, when my mother threw a fit. She says that those are hideous and she doesn't want one in her house. SO. Her idea was to get one of those big tin trough-like things you find at the garden center. I'm just wondering if that'll be safe for him. He's not gonna get, like...metal poisoning or something is he? Or will it reflect too much heat or anything?

[adam85491]

I wanna get a plastic rubbermaid container eventually but the same thing will probably happen..Anyway, would that not be even uglier than the bin? I've never heard of someone using one but it doesn't sound like a good idea.

[BabyTurtleEver]

I thought it'd be uglier, but it's best not to argue with mum.

If no one's done it before, I'm hesitant to be the first!

[steve]

Would this be inside or out? How many gallons are you looking to upgrade to?

[BabyTurtleEver]

inside, definitely. It's waay too hot here for an outside metal container, that's for sure. As for gallons, I'm not sure. I want this to last him for quite some time. He's about 4 and a half or 5 inches right now, so the minimum has to be 50 gallons, right? But hopefully a little bigger so he still has room to grow.

[sillyleisl]

How about getting a plastic container and making it prettier by facing it with metal? Or you could do wood or something. That way, you KNOW the inside is safe, but the outside would be pretty.

[megcornell]

I would think it would be very hard to keep the metal container at a constant temperature due to how thin they are. And I also don't know how well it would hold that much water. I think sillyleisl is on the right track by suggesting a stock or rubbermaid tank and making the exterior more appealing to your mother. Maybe you can discuss options with her. In my opinion, a black container is no uglier than a metal one. I'd also think the metal would start rusting with constant exposure to water, and it won't be as nicely sealed as a plastic container so you'd be facing expensive and damaging leaks not to mention health issues for your turtle with the rust.
All in all, it's a very poor housing idea to use a metal bin. I'd try to renegotiate a better container.

[marisa]

I've seen the sides of stock tanks covered with a wooden frame and it can really look nice. Add some fake plants around it and you've got a little oasis.

[untsmurf]

Tell your mom that an aquarium is even prettier than the metal thing. That way you can watch your turt swim around and whatnot and you won't have to worry about giving it metal poisoning.

[menmelnjourney]

I have been thinking about getting a horse through for my 3 boys as well and have one picked out. it's 4' long, 2' deep and 2' across. It will hold about 150 -175 gallons depending on the basking area size. I noticed the concerns about rust and want to put some fears to rest. As long as the through is galvanized, it will NOT rust and IMHO as long as it is maintained indoors, the temp can be monitored and adjsuted as needed. I am making the transfer this weekend to the new tank and will be making a wooden cover for the sides so there isn't this metal tank in my living room.

[megcornell]

Even galvanized things can rust if they get scratched or are just exposed to too much water. If you're going to cover the sides with wood why not go on the safe side and use plastic which has been used by a lot of turtle owners with great success?

[BabyTurtleEver]

I like the idea of getting a plastic container and covering it in wood; that'll satisfy everyone I think. And if not, well, mum's out of town for a couple weeks so by the time she gets back...oh well!

[menmelnjourney]

Even galvanized things can rust if they get scratched or are just exposed to too much water.

I know a lot of people that have farms and on them horses and cows who drink daily from the galvanized through for years w/ no problems. I'm not saying it's impossible for galvanized steel to rust, but I personally have never hear of it happening. Being in a rural area, believe it or not, the through will go better in my house than the plastic. I know its vain but I want my house to be welcoming to both people and turtles.

[untsmurf]

If you're worried about it, why don't you get some sort of plastic liner for the metal tank? That way the tank is supporting the water, but the plastic is protecting the tank.

[adam85491]

Am I the only one who doesn't think it would be very easy to cover a metal tank with wood