Photo Gallery :: Jungle tank

[scripta_elegans]

I bought tons of plants and snails, and the turtle tank looks like a jungle.

[Vtolds]

Looks like to much is in there to me.

[SpotsMama]

I bet your turtles love rooting around in there.

Are those the snail shells that are now empty? (re. your other post). And the plants are mostly shredded on the bottom of the tank? You've got a couple of fierce turtles. Good thing they won't get any bigger than 12" long.

[scripta_elegans]

They are loving all the rooting. As far as size goes, I know! Can you imagine how fearsome they would be at 200 pounds? The snail shells are about 1/2 and 1/2. They have eaten way too many, but they get so much exercise trying to get into the shell, and I haven't seen an irritable interaction between the 2 of them for the 2 weeks they have been in there. I think each turtle has probably eaten 10. I have 3 dozen in there, and they are dwindling. There are 5 or 6 that they are ignoring because they are encrusted with Java moss. I hope they keep ignoring them.
There were twice as many plants 2 weeks ago, but they are also disappearing at a fast rate. Yes, the plant detritus you see at the bottom is just from plants eaten between Friday and now. I cleaned it out, and scooped out the little remenants then, but as Grey Goose once lovingly said, they are little vandals. There is an Ebay plant seller who I buy from, and she advertised a bucket sized quantity of turtle munchies. She meant a BIG bucket. They do still have plenty of room to swim, and tihnk they really like having the plants for cover. Well at least Sparky does. He is in 2 of the pictures, but he is hiding under plants. I see a turtle shaped lump, but I bet it's not distinguishable for anyone but me. Spike thinks she is going to get pellets even though she's eaten snails almost every day. Sigh.

[SpotsMama]

That's very interesting about their being so interested in the snails that they forget to pick on each other. Where do you get your snails? Spot snakes on the little snails that came in with some anacharis long ago but he's never seen a big snail.

[scripta_elegans]

I got them from an Ebay seller, but he doesn't seem to have any listed right now. hmm.

[SpotsMama]

Hmmm. Where's Sparky? This is like that find-the-turtle game. Do I see him in picture #4, lurking behind Spike? And in picture #1, behind, below and to the right of Spike, showing in a loop of anacharis?

[scripta_elegans]

That's great! He's in 2 and 3. He's a wee dark lump lurking in the bottom right corner. I only know because I saw him before I took the picture. I don't know how to do that circling thing, or I would surely circle him.

[SpotsMama]

Ha! So I'm 0 for 2 in the find-the-turtle game. I think I see him now.

[untsmurf]

How much anacharis did you get and how much did it cost, if you don't mind.

[grey goose]

Well that's one way to get rid of nitrates (live plants eat it). I don't think I could get away with live plants though, my two mischief makers would chop it all up and stuff it into the filter intakes!

[scripta_elegans]

I got a bucket of turtle munchies on ebay. The seller is adavisus. She uses no turtle hurting chemicals. I got a huge mass of Anacharis and bunches of 2 other plants for 15.00 dollars.
greygoose-i have been clearing the filter intakes 5-6 times a day. They have made a really horrible mess, which I knew they would. I only put live plants in there when I know I will be home to pull the pieces out a lot. I know they are good for them, but my god what a pain!

[grey goose]

LOL I said once before that keeping live plants in a turtle tank (especially multiple turtles.....monkey see, monkey do....) is like banging your head against the wall!

[emma]

LoL....I dread getting my turtles anarcharis because they make such a mess! It is so annoying trying to clean it out, unclogging the filter, and some of the anarcharis i get is pretty expensive.
I know my turtles love it so much, but it is just a pain.
But your tank looks so cool scripta_elegans! The basking spot looks great! I bet your turtle is soo happy! He look so cute too!

[scripta_elegans]

Thanks Emma!
Hmmm. Banging my head against the wall vs. cleaning little tiny pieces of shredded plant out of the 2 filter intakes. Well, the plants are good for the turtles, but not too good for the filter. Banging my head against the wall feels good when I stop, but isn't too good for me. So I guess I'll take the plants and the filter cleaning.