Hi, Turtle People!
I've been wanting to get my little mud turtle, Jacques, out of her 20 gal tank and into a bigger tank for quite a while, but financial constraints interfered (I KNEW that when I retired, my pension check would be smaller than my former paycheck, but adjusting can be a challenge... )
NOW we've gotten caught up on some things, and I'm picking up a little part time work, so I'm seriously looking at Jacques' new, and hopefully final, tank.
I really want her to have more stimulation. Watching her just sit in her little tank reminds me of animals in a zoo: safe and well cared for but apathetic. Yes, I know she's a reptile but her brain is also NATURALLY geared to hunt and explore, etc. So I'm especially trying to think of ways that I can have other fish and things in the tank with her. But I want them to have plenty of places to hide in case she wants to eat them. Sure, I expect she'll get some of them, but I want them to at least have a fair chance.
I was thinking 40 gal breeder (or bigger?) with lots of plants- probably artificial, for the most part. I was thinking of having the water about a foot deep, but with lots of "furniture" and shallow water platforms for Jacques to rest on and hide under.
Any ideas, suggestions and previous experience would be appreciated!!!!
I would also like to add that I am interested in ideas for good filtration. I have arthritis in my hands, and have had surgery on my thumbs, so I'm a bit clumsy. Dealing with small tubing, clips and dials etc is very difficult for me. Hubby helps but he's got his own job, so I'd like to find the easiest way to handle the filtration. Thanks again!
I've been wanting to get my little mud turtle, Jacques, out of her 20 gal tank and into a bigger tank for quite a while, but financial constraints interfered (I KNEW that when I retired, my pension check would be smaller than my former paycheck, but adjusting can be a challenge... )
NOW we've gotten caught up on some things, and I'm picking up a little part time work, so I'm seriously looking at Jacques' new, and hopefully final, tank.
I really want her to have more stimulation. Watching her just sit in her little tank reminds me of animals in a zoo: safe and well cared for but apathetic. Yes, I know she's a reptile but her brain is also NATURALLY geared to hunt and explore, etc. So I'm especially trying to think of ways that I can have other fish and things in the tank with her. But I want them to have plenty of places to hide in case she wants to eat them. Sure, I expect she'll get some of them, but I want them to at least have a fair chance.
I was thinking 40 gal breeder (or bigger?) with lots of plants- probably artificial, for the most part. I was thinking of having the water about a foot deep, but with lots of "furniture" and shallow water platforms for Jacques to rest on and hide under.
Any ideas, suggestions and previous experience would be appreciated!!!!
I would also like to add that I am interested in ideas for good filtration. I have arthritis in my hands, and have had surgery on my thumbs, so I'm a bit clumsy. Dealing with small tubing, clips and dials etc is very difficult for me. Hubby helps but he's got his own job, so I'd like to find the easiest way to handle the filtration. Thanks again!