Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 11 year old western painted got a new home over the weekend. He's been living in a 55 gallon plastic Christmas tree storage box for about 5 years or so. Last year I had to buy a new filter for him but the hoses with the intake & outtake tubes didn't fit very well on the plastic box.
So I bought him a new 55 gallon glass tank in July but then realized our homemade stand wouldn't support the new tank. I needed a wrought iron stand that has a shelf on the bottom so that I'd have a place for the mud turtle tank to sit on too.

I finally found the type of stand I wanted this past Saturday & got that set up.
The new glass tank is so narrow compared to the plastic I was afraid he'd be unhappy in the new tank.
He moved in Sunday then he sulked in a corner for about an hour. After an hour I went in to talk to him, I got him to look around & when he saw that he had minnows in the tank with him he forgot about sulking.
He seems to really like this, I had expected an unhappy turtle who'd sulk for a week or so but he's swimming around in there this morning like hey I'm a happy guy.
Whew!! That's a relief for me!
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PHRatz

A little snack always makes life a little easier! I wonder if your turtle was a little confused going from plastic to clear glass? It opend up a whole new world. One day my little Squirt was basking on his rock, looking out the window and watching the snow flakes...I wondered what he was thinking? White bugs?! Anyway your turtle may not feel as safe. I mean the plastic gave him protection like he was hidden, now he may feel exposed. I cover my tank at night, mainly for warmth but it also seems to give Squirt security...when I take it off he scrambles off his rock...anyway I think your turtle will adjust and he'll enjoy his new view.

You've nailed it. He didn't feel as safe for the first few days but now that he's settled down he seems pretty happy in there.

I've usually talk before I go in the room.. if he hears me coming in he doesn't freak out. I've had to remember to be sure that I do start speaking before I come in the room so he won't dive when I do.
Now after 9 days of being in the new digs, he really looks happy.
It did open up a whole new world for him. The plastic tub wasn't colored but it wasn't completely clear either and now he can see everything! I think he likes that.
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PHRatz

BTW that's pretty funny about your turtle watching the snow fall through the window. I wonder what mine would think about it? We seldom get snow but once in a while it happens. If it ever does, I'll open the blinds so that he can watch. LOL
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PHRatz