My set-up: Tylototriton Verrucosus

[Jeroen]

Hi

Here some (bad) pics of my aquarium. I'm hoping to get a trio of Tylototriton Verrucosus to inhabit this aquarium.

I've already added 5 Kristal red shrips to the tank. (Maybe i'll buy some more)
I would like to add couple of these: Marisa Cornuarietis Red
The land area is not finished yet. I'll put some gravel on it and add a couple pieces of bark to hide. But first i have to make sure the gravel won't be rolling in to the water.

The first day:

Couple days later:
Removing the stones and add the 2 pieces of driftwood instead.
Also adding the plants and the shrips.

 

[kieutiepie]

Cool! What size tank is that?

 

[Azhael]

I´m sorry to say i don´t think it´s particularly suitable. The gravel is an impaction hazard, plus it just traps debris in huge amounts. The volume of water is very limited and it will make maintaining water quality very difficutl, specially for a species that grows a lot and has a very good appetite. Given, that T.verrucosus can be successfully raised fully aquatic, i would definitely make the emphasis on having a sufficiently large volume of water so that conditions are very stable and easy to maintain.

I also have to say, that this turtle-tanks are an abomination xD They are useless for most of the stuff people want to use them for.

 

[Niels D]

The tank doesn't look that small, does it? Isn't it about 70 cm in length or am I not gifted with the talent of estimating sizes?

 

[asfouts]

I´m sorry to say i don´t think it´s particularly suitable. The gravel is an impaction hazard, plus it just traps debris in huge amounts..

I have to agree with the impaction hazard here. Gravel can look cool, but is usually too much of a hassle as far as cleaning and ingestion problems. It is a serious hazard and all rocks should be larger then your caudates head if used at all. I suggest sand 100% it looks good especially in contrast of wood and plants. its in all my tanks. Also you can get a large bag of play sand (smells like childhood) and rinse it out, its cost effective and looks very natural. Unless you have a current flowing through your gravel, it will get dirty and end up stinking up your tank anyway. Also if we are going on cost effectiveness, turtle tanks are often too expensive for what they are. You can potentially create the same thing at 1/3 the price and it will fit to your liking.

I hope this helps. Its something pet stores should tell people. They leave out too much info that would end up saving lives.

 

[Azhael]

The tank doesn't look that small, does it? Isn't it about 70 cm in length or am I not gifted with the talent of estimating sizes?

I´m notoriously bad at estimating tank sizes, so maybe you are right. In terms of surface, it´s fine, but it looks smallish to me in terms of water volume which is what matters, really.

 

[Jeroen]

First i want to thank you al for your concerns!

The thank size is 60cm*35cm*20cm
The volume of water is 60*35*11 (at the moment)

The only thing i'm worried about is the impaction hazard you mention.

The cleaning will be no problem. I'll do it as often as i have to.
I'll be the only tank with aniamls in so i can give them my full attention.
And i'll be monitoring them closely.

I have another tank which is smaller but it is taller. Here i keep my additional plants, snails (and maby some additional shrimps).

I have an air stone which i might and probably will add to the tank.
Like i mentionned i'm adding shrimps and snails to the tank. Those will help me clean the tank partially.

I've raised the waterlevel 2 cm. The waterlevel now reaches just a little higher than the land area. I might raise it an adittional 1-2 cm If i add some more gravel to the land area.

On top of the tank i wil make a frame so the won't be able to escape.
I will make this frame so that I gain a couple of cm in height.