So, it started as a trip to the library with my 4 year old. Yes, the library. So, naturally, about 1 hour later we were the proud owners of a 4'' Red Ear Slider.
My challenge was to upgrade my existing 10 gallon vivarium into a 20 gallon long, making temporary room for the turtle. The 10 gallon was home to a Tadpole, recently turned Frog, and to a Dojo Loach.
Here is the finished product:
The light sits on the left side of the aquarium, directly over a large rock and piece of driftwood for the turtle to bask in the afternoon sun. Unfortunately, I had to use my cell phone to take these pictures, so the quality is less than desirable.
This is a picture of my filter. I decided to use the same filter from my 10 gallon and the same substrate, which should make the cycling process almost immediate. The filter is a simple round sponge filter, driven by a Challenger Special air pump. The pump is totally silent and the sponge is completely hidden by the rocks and plants. At some point I plan to upgrade to blue air line tubing and silicone it to the corner of the aquarium, making everything look natural. I also plan to use live plants at that point, after I research what plants are compatible with turtles. (help?)
By the way, the green plants you see in the second picture are one of my favorite artifical FW plants. I buy them from Christmas Wreaths at hobby outlet stores. You can buy an undecorated wreath very cheap, and then pluck the greenery off of it. Hobby supply stores often have large and tall strands of greenery available for a great cost, which is especially helpful in decorating tall aquariums.
My challenge was to upgrade my existing 10 gallon vivarium into a 20 gallon long, making temporary room for the turtle. The 10 gallon was home to a Tadpole, recently turned Frog, and to a Dojo Loach.
Here is the finished product:
The light sits on the left side of the aquarium, directly over a large rock and piece of driftwood for the turtle to bask in the afternoon sun. Unfortunately, I had to use my cell phone to take these pictures, so the quality is less than desirable.
This is a picture of my filter. I decided to use the same filter from my 10 gallon and the same substrate, which should make the cycling process almost immediate. The filter is a simple round sponge filter, driven by a Challenger Special air pump. The pump is totally silent and the sponge is completely hidden by the rocks and plants. At some point I plan to upgrade to blue air line tubing and silicone it to the corner of the aquarium, making everything look natural. I also plan to use live plants at that point, after I research what plants are compatible with turtles. (help?)
By the way, the green plants you see in the second picture are one of my favorite artifical FW plants. I buy them from Christmas Wreaths at hobby outlet stores. You can buy an undecorated wreath very cheap, and then pluck the greenery off of it. Hobby supply stores often have large and tall strands of greenery available for a great cost, which is especially helpful in decorating tall aquariums.