Post by wpglaeser on Jan 7, 2002 10:28:12 GMT -5
I monkeyed around with the setup all weekend. I even bought a 330 gph Whisper 60 or something like that with 2 bio filters, but it was loud and wasn't working well since my water level isn't high enough, so I took that back. I wound up buying a power sweep (in addition to the Proquatics 300 combo filter/heater) and installed it in the other end of the tank to aerate some more and keep the water circulating. It seems to be doing the job. Unfortunately, when I got up this morning, the Proquatics 300 was totally dead. I checked the outlet and it was OK. The pump wasn't working and when I turned the thermostat, the light didn't come on. I'm going to exchange it at Petsmart today. HAS ANYBODY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THESE??? I think I'll put a surge protector between it and the outlet to help protect it. The water has really cleared up a lot after a couple pad cleanings. I hosed the river rock before putting it in the tank, but I'm sure there was still some dust there.
As for feeding, she's really eating well. She's gobbling the turtle pellets. I put 6 feeder fish in there with her, but she's not interested in them at all. They are smaller and paler than goldfish, but I think are the same family. They do a good job eating her crumbs as they fall to the bottom of the tank. Squirtle even enjoys eating their goldfish flakes. They seem to school together, with the occasional fish foraging under the river rock. She still loves the canned chicken which I give her in the separate Rubbermaid container. People have commented about that. Is cooked chicken a problem? I would think only raw chicken would be a problem as far as salmonella. The stuff in the tuna-sized can is flaky and she devours it. Also, a can lasts a long time, since she only eats a little. I've seen turtles eating birds in the wild, and read about water turtles even hunting doves in their pond, so wouldn't this kind of fowl be OK?
I have a lighting question. My setup for lighting consists of a UVA/Heat Repti Basking Bulb by ZooMed over her basking area in a clamp lamp and a second clamp lamp at the other end with a flourescent bulb that illuminates the tank and shines on the 2 Anachris (sp?) plants. My tank is 36 inches long and I can't find a fixture or hood to fit it. Most are 24 inches, 30 inches, or 48 inches. I'm worried about the lack of UVB. Do they make a bulb (non-tube, just a regular screw-in type) that does heat AND UVA/UVB? I'd rather not add a third light, and have read that the UVB needs to be over the basking area. Also, do the turtles have sense enough not to look at the lights? They are pretty bright and even I can't look at the flourescent (20W power, but 75W illumination) without the "flashbulb effect". I'm guessing they don't stare at the sun in the wild, though...
She is definitely happy with her habitat, though. She is basking regularly, eating well, swimming a lot, and exploring. She likes the plants, but isn't eating off them much, yet. She also likes the hiding place I made. I took a coated wire (rectangular) basket and cut one long side off, turned it upside down and placed river rock on and partially around it. The rocks that hold it down double as the basking area. (I'll post pictures hopefully soon.) She goes in there and sticks her head though the basket to peek out!
One behavior seems really weird to me, though. She prefers to sleep vertically! Is this common? She hooks claws from both front feet on the river rock and hangs vertically and sleeps with her head about an inch or two below the waterline, so I guess she can just stretch her neck to get a breath. The first time I saw her like this in the morning, she was so immobile an unaffected by my presence I thought she was dead! I blew on the water a couple of times, and the third time (I'm panicking by now) she jerks her head like she just woke up! It was funny, though!
I also noticed when she basks she keeps either a foot or tail in the water at all times. Is that so she can keep track of where the water is in case of danger? That's what we guessed.
I'd appreciate your advice on the food/lighting issues. Also, is a bio filter a necessity, or will water changes and chemical treatment be able to keep the ammonia down if I test it frequently?
Thanks!!!
Walt
As for feeding, she's really eating well. She's gobbling the turtle pellets. I put 6 feeder fish in there with her, but she's not interested in them at all. They are smaller and paler than goldfish, but I think are the same family. They do a good job eating her crumbs as they fall to the bottom of the tank. Squirtle even enjoys eating their goldfish flakes. They seem to school together, with the occasional fish foraging under the river rock. She still loves the canned chicken which I give her in the separate Rubbermaid container. People have commented about that. Is cooked chicken a problem? I would think only raw chicken would be a problem as far as salmonella. The stuff in the tuna-sized can is flaky and she devours it. Also, a can lasts a long time, since she only eats a little. I've seen turtles eating birds in the wild, and read about water turtles even hunting doves in their pond, so wouldn't this kind of fowl be OK?
I have a lighting question. My setup for lighting consists of a UVA/Heat Repti Basking Bulb by ZooMed over her basking area in a clamp lamp and a second clamp lamp at the other end with a flourescent bulb that illuminates the tank and shines on the 2 Anachris (sp?) plants. My tank is 36 inches long and I can't find a fixture or hood to fit it. Most are 24 inches, 30 inches, or 48 inches. I'm worried about the lack of UVB. Do they make a bulb (non-tube, just a regular screw-in type) that does heat AND UVA/UVB? I'd rather not add a third light, and have read that the UVB needs to be over the basking area. Also, do the turtles have sense enough not to look at the lights? They are pretty bright and even I can't look at the flourescent (20W power, but 75W illumination) without the "flashbulb effect". I'm guessing they don't stare at the sun in the wild, though...
She is definitely happy with her habitat, though. She is basking regularly, eating well, swimming a lot, and exploring. She likes the plants, but isn't eating off them much, yet. She also likes the hiding place I made. I took a coated wire (rectangular) basket and cut one long side off, turned it upside down and placed river rock on and partially around it. The rocks that hold it down double as the basking area. (I'll post pictures hopefully soon.) She goes in there and sticks her head though the basket to peek out!
One behavior seems really weird to me, though. She prefers to sleep vertically! Is this common? She hooks claws from both front feet on the river rock and hangs vertically and sleeps with her head about an inch or two below the waterline, so I guess she can just stretch her neck to get a breath. The first time I saw her like this in the morning, she was so immobile an unaffected by my presence I thought she was dead! I blew on the water a couple of times, and the third time (I'm panicking by now) she jerks her head like she just woke up! It was funny, though!
I also noticed when she basks she keeps either a foot or tail in the water at all times. Is that so she can keep track of where the water is in case of danger? That's what we guessed.
I'd appreciate your advice on the food/lighting issues. Also, is a bio filter a necessity, or will water changes and chemical treatment be able to keep the ammonia down if I test it frequently?
Thanks!!!
Walt