Just joined...looking for help setting up

primetime34 · May 15, 2018

We've had a 18"x22"x72" saltwater fish tank that is built into one of the walls of our home (it was there when we bought it). However, after 2.5 years of maintaining it, we have decided that it really isn't something we have a passion for, and thus, we don't want to continue spending money on it. As a family, we decided we'd like to set up a tortoise habitat with lots of plants, flowers, etc (and of course a tortoise

)

So, I'm here to get as much help with this as I can. I'll be posting in the appropriate forum for it, but I just wanted to pop in and say hi here first!

Briannesmith1 · May 15, 2018

What type of tortoise are you going to get? [emoji5]

Tom · May 15, 2018

primetime34 said:
We've had a 18"x22"x72" saltwater fish tank that is built into one of the walls of our home (it was there when we bought it). However, after 2.5 years of maintaining it, we have decided that it really isn't something we have a passion for, and thus, we don't want to continue spending money on it. As a family, we decided we'd like to set up a tortoise habitat with lots of plants, flowers, etc (and of course a tortoise )

So, I'm here to get as much help with this as I can. I'll be posting in the appropriate forum for it, but I just wanted to pop in and say hi here first!

Hello and welcome!

That size tank will be good to start a baby of any species, but it will be too small for any adult of any species. Is there an option to go bigger once the baby outgrows it? Or is the sole intention to put something into that tank? I ask because it might work better to get something that won't outgrow the space you have in the tank.

primetime34 · May 15, 2018

I'm looking at a Greek tortoise that is already grown and is 4.5" (from a local rescue). Is that not enough surface area? During the warm months, it'll get out and roam around our boxed in garden.

Tom · May 15, 2018

primetime34 said:
I'm looking at a Greek tortoise that is already grown and is 4.5" (from a local rescue). Is that not enough surface area? During the warm months, it'll get out and roam around our boxed in garden.

That's less than half of the floor space needed for an adult. 4x8' is my recommendation.

SteveW · May 15, 2018

I have that same size tank I use for my hatchling nursery, but as has been stated, it won’t be large enough for a juvenile, much less an adult tortoise to be very happy. Have you considered aquatics or semi-aquatics? A smaller species of mud or musk turtle, a southern painted, could all be happy there. (With aquatics, you get the benefit of the depth of the aquarium, not just the floor). A Spotted could work there, are on land a bit, and are a super fun and responsive species. All listed get about 4-5 inches.

Yvonne G · May 20, 2018

Welcome!

RosemaryDW · May 20, 2018

Welcome to the forum!

Just joined...looking for help setting up

primetime34

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Briannesmith1

Active Member

Tom

The Dog Trainer

primetime34

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Tom

The Dog Trainer

SteveW

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Yvonne G

Old Timer

RosemaryDW

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