Turtle Tank

[Sewerat]

So our youngest is about to leave for university in sept, he currently lives with his dad, so at that point I will be inheriting his 7yr old turtle. Now I know they have got a 55gal tank for him and have gone thru many a hob filter for him. But I would like to set up a nice tank for him with good filtration. I have a 55 gal here that split the plastic top and bows the front and back if filled, so my thought was to cut the glass off and make a shorter wider tank outta that to begin with and then to have a system with a sump similar to what we run for our reefs. Has anyone got any experience with this type of system. Would a skimmer work in a turtle tank? Also I have never split and rebuilt a tank before, but is it just a matter of cut, peel and re glue with silicone?

 

[TORX]

A skimmer on a turtle tank...great idea actually. it would probably get real nasty in there and quick as anyone who has had a turtle knows the waste they put out.

 

[Big_Als_London]

Turtles are super dirty. I am sure one is manageable though. You would have to be careful with the drain as they always molt pieces of their shell off. The shell pieces are a decent size and could potentially block your overflow drain depending on how you make it. Also be prepared to leave it in your will as they live a really long time. Too be honest I'm not really sure a skimmer would do much on a turtle tank. Their waste is different that fish waste as it is usually large and heavy so sinks to the bottom and usually falls apart into a lot of little pieces.

On to the tank. If you are going to make a wider tank you are probably going to need thicker glass than what the 55 will provide you with. The wider the tank means more pressure pushing on each seam as well.
If you have been to our store we built our own turtle pond. Basically built a 2x4 frame used plywood and then sealed it with a waterproof barrier and then tiled over it. We haven't had a problem in two years with it. You could also get one of those preformed kidney bean shaped ponds and build a frame around that. Just remember turtles are great climbers so don't give them an opportunity to climb out.

 

[Sewerat]

I have been to your store and just love the way yours was done I had thought about doing that, basicly same as building a shower stall from tile. What type of filtration is running that system?

 

[reeferkeeper420]

i think skimmers need to be in saltwater to perform properly do they not?
If just buy a good canister filter rated for dbl your tank size and go with that for filtration.

 

[BIGSHOW]

i think skimmers need to be in saltwater to perform properly do they not?
If just buy a good canister filter rated for dbl your tank size and go with that for filtration.

I was thinking the same but then I remember walking along the great lakes as a kid and smelling the disgusting foam off the waves on the lake. I am not sure it is nearly as effective on freshwater though.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

I was thinking the same but then I remember walking along the great lakes as a kid and smelling the disgusting foam off the waves on the lake. I am not sure it is nearly as effective on freshwater though.

Oh how nice that foam smells eh lmao.

 

[BIGSHOW]

Oh how nice that foam smells eh lmao.

LOL..very true. I remember trying to avoid the stinky foam when I went swimming.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Did you run and long jump into the water to avoid the foam on shore Lmao! I cant stand some of the lakes anymore for that reason lol.

LOL..very true. I remember trying to avoid the stinky foam when I went swimming.

 

[MrHermit85]

My wife had a red eared slider for 28 years. RIP old Shelly

Anyways for a successful turtle tank you need to consider the type before you decide on a tank size, red eared sliders, painted and the like grow quite big over a large span of time so if you start small you will need to look at upgrading the tank at a later time. much goes the same for saltwater JUST START BIG!!! Unless it is a texas map turtle then you should be good with a smaller tank.

The main important point when it comes to a turtle tank is to oversize the filter and then double that lol, they poop like crazy and the water can turn nasty over a couple of days and considering you should be feeding them vegetables too doesn't help... Also contrary to belief, turtles need lots of swimming room and they certainly don't mind deep water so those shallow tanks are far from ideal unless they are really wide. Also don't forget to incorporate the correct lighting for heat and UV, but I am sure you know that already.

I used a canister and a hOB with old shelly and did frequent water changes. A small powerhead kept stuff floating so that the filters could suck it in...

 

[Sewerat]

Upon more thought, and suggestions for you ou guys I think I will incorporate a water trough into the system I have in mind. I think I'll run the mag9 I have spare in the tank, pump up into the filter/sump box and gravity feed back into main tank in a water fall situation. I'm going to keep the main tank just high enough to get a pail to siphon vac clean it out when necessary and I might just try sticking a skimmer in the sump and see what happens.

Btw it is a red ear slider male so what size would he get up to if given the room?

 

[MrHermit85]

Upon more thought, and suggestions for you ou guys I think I will incorporate a water trough into the system I have in mind. I think I'll run the mag9 I have spare in the tank, pump up into the filter/sump box and gravity feed back into main tank in a water fall situation. I'm going to keep the main tank just high enough to get a pail to siphon vac clean it out when necessary and I might just try sticking a skimmer in the sump and see what happens.

Btw it is a red ear slider male so what size would he get up to if given the room?

Males are usually a little smaller than the females and if cared for properly can grow to around 9 inches. That is fully grown and only the shell...

I love the water fall idea!