Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I bought a RES about three years ago in a setup that had a 30 gallon long tank and a waterfall filter in the side of it. I've been hanging a basking heat lamp (UVA) over a pile of rocks that came with it. He's huge now, the tank's way too small, so I got another one. This one is a regular, 55 gallon tank. It's a bare tank, and I'm clueless as to how to set it up.

I didn't think it would be good to have water that deep (the turtle might drown!) But then seeing as it sleeps underwater, realized that that's a stupid concern.

I'm not very good with construction, so building an incline would be out of the question. What are some options for me to make him a basking spot in the deep tank? Also, what kind of filter(s) should I use to keep it clean (as I'm going off to college, and nobody really wants to clean a tank between my vacation weeks.)

I'm on a pretty tight budget with college and all, but was just wondering what a cheap, yet effective setup would be to make the most out of this tank.

Thanks,
-Brian

There are lots of floating basking spots available. You could just get a chunk of cork bark and wedge it into the tank...they float. Or you could get a turtle dock, mine is made by Zoo Med....they are more expensive than the cork bark but they last longer. The cork bark will eventually get water-logged and stop floating as well.

Turtles do not drown unless they get trapped underwater

UVA basking bulbs produce no UVB rays, so they are pretty much useless wastes of money. Look for a flourescent UVB tube, or mercury vapor bulb. Invest in a good canister filter and you will have a lot less maintenance to do.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04
1 common musk turtle hatchling

OT Your kid is too cute!!!

As far as a simple set up, it is easy! Do a bare bottom (no substrate) set up, fill the tank 3/4 of the way with water, invest in a good canister filter that is big enough to use on a bigger tank which you will need to get as he gets bigger. (55gakllons are good, but very narrow, pretty soon your turtle wont even be able to turn around in that! A 75-90gallon, which are wider, work really well) A turtle dock is the easiest way to create a basking spot, especially if you arent good at building things. Put a basking bulb above it and make sure you buy a UVB bulb, those are very important and your turtle is pretty lucky to have not suffered any adverse effects already from not having one

Good luck!
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

(55gakllons are good, but very narrow, pretty soon your turtle wont even be able to turn around in that!

A 55 gal is 12 inches wide. As long as you have enough water, your turtle will still be able to turn around if he reaches mammoth size, he just has to do it at an angle. I have caught 13 inch RES before, and they can turn around fine in a 55, but I would want something larger for other reasons.
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