Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, I am going to be getting a pair of painted turtles soon so I am in the process of getting the enclosure and setting it up. I need some suggestions. I am looking at getting either a waterland tub or a stock tank from tractor supply. I am leaning towards the stock tank just because of the price, however I'm trying to figure out how I can add a land area to it. I am looking to have the pair breed so I would need a land area that was stable, easily accessable, and has enough area for egg laying. Any suggestions?? Thanks for any help!!!

Depending upon how deep the water will be, one approach might be to put a tub full of nesting-quality soil in the stock tank, with a "ramp" out of the water to the top of the tub. A mortar mixing tub (pretty cheap at the big-box hardware stores) would work, if it wouldn't take up too much stock tank room. In the alternative, shallow feed or water tubs are available at feed stores, and would take up less room than a mortar mixing tub. I use 1/2-inch plastic mesh (big-box hardware stores -- looks like wire mesh, but is all plastic), or plastic window screen over wood (you would have to weight down the lower end of a wood-based ramp with rocks or gravel), to make turtle-friendly ramps -- they give something for the turtles' claws to "grab," but are easy on the plastrons.