90 gallon aquarium?

[J H]

I got roxy on Saturday and plan to make a closed chamber this summer. (I'm remodeling my home so time is tight for a few months). I found a 90 gallon tank for $60 with a stand. I figure I can close most of the top and trap humidity well enough for now. Roxy is about the size of a baseball now. That should be a good enough size tank for a few months right? It's 48" x 18". She was in a 10 gallon very dry with prev owners. Has pyramiding but eats / poops / pees PLENTY!

 

[ascott]

I got roxy on Saturday and plan to make a closed chamber this summer. (I'm remodeling my home so time is tight for a few months). I found a 90 gallon tank for $60 with a stand. I figure I can close most of the top and trap humidity well enough for now. Roxy is about the size of a baseball now. That should be a good enough size tank for a few months right? It's 48" x 18". She was in a 10 gallon very dry with prev owners. Has pyramiding but eats / poops / pees PLENTY!View attachment 170228

Yes, that is a good size for a bit....just make sure to check your temps at tortoise height for day and night before you set up the tortoise in it....adorable tort by the way....

 

[Tom]

48x18" is a 60 gallon, unless its 24" tall which won't help the tortoise any.

I think that is fine for a hatchling, but much too small for a baseball sized tortoise. They need more room to move than that. Its definitely better than a 10 gallon, but I don't think that should be what we measure against. Go BIG! Make a 3x6' or 4x8' closed chamber and be done with building until he's big enough to live outside full time.

 

[Yvonne G]

Think about it - aquariums are meant to hold water. That means the 'gallon' measurement is including the whole aquarium. What you want is a big floor space, not something with tall sides that will hold gallons.

 

[J H]

Yep I know the floor space is key. This is temporary. I figured the height of the tank which is 21 or 24" would allow me to put heat lights in it and cover most of top to trap humidity until I have time to build a big closed chamber

 

[ascott]

Yep I know the floor space is key. This is temporary. I figured the height of the tank which is 21 or 24" would allow me to put heat lights in it and cover most of top to trap humidity until I have time to build a big closed chamber

Exactly what I thought you were thinking.... If you are going to place the fixtures inside then please do make sure to get the temps set solid before you place the tortoise in there.....you do not want a fried tortoise...you know?

 

[J H]

Yep. I'll set it up for a day or two first and watch closely awhile after I put her in.