Well Petco had another sale, 1 dollar a gallon so we couldn't resist. We got a 55 Gallon, no lid or lighting. I will make a lid and use our 30 gallon fluorescent and basking light.
I've been looking at the DIY 3d backgrounds and they got me thinking how perfect they would be for turtles with some proper shelfs.
So I researched them for a few days and than went and got some supplies.
Now in all honesty I don't have any idea what I'm doing, some of it is based on what others have done and some of it is just made up along the way.
Supply list so far:
Drylok latex paint
Hot Glue and Gun
Styrofoam
PVC pipe
The tank and a tupperware the same size as the filter tupperware. I will try to hide the filter under some made rocks along with the heater.
It's a homemade filter, basically a smaller version of what I use in my Koi ponds.
Here's the sheet before the mess begins.
I first cut out a piece the same size as the back of the aquarium. I than cut it into 3 pieces so it would go in the tank. I than made a duplicate set and drew out a pattern to cut.
Originally I was following someone elses directions but ended making all the rocks connect like a jigsaw. I changed my mind and decided I wanted it to be a large rock face, not a stack of rocks. But I had already cut the jigsaw. It actually helped some, with the jigsaw I could work in smaller areas and pull out pieces, sculpt them and than put them back. I'm not sure I would do it again this way but it did work.
The first test fit.
All 3 tiles together.
Another test fit.
and finally a water test. I wanted to test the fit and test the shelves under the water before I start finalizing the design. The final shelf on the right will be the basking area and will be removable so that I can access the filter box. I'm using pvc pipe to hold the tiles in place I want to avoid using silicone to glue it in.
Again I have no idea what I'm doing, just making it up as I go.
I've been looking at the DIY 3d backgrounds and they got me thinking how perfect they would be for turtles with some proper shelfs.
So I researched them for a few days and than went and got some supplies.
Now in all honesty I don't have any idea what I'm doing, some of it is based on what others have done and some of it is just made up along the way.
Supply list so far:
Drylok latex paint
Hot Glue and Gun
Styrofoam
PVC pipe
The tank and a tupperware the same size as the filter tupperware. I will try to hide the filter under some made rocks along with the heater.
It's a homemade filter, basically a smaller version of what I use in my Koi ponds.
Here's the sheet before the mess begins.
I first cut out a piece the same size as the back of the aquarium. I than cut it into 3 pieces so it would go in the tank. I than made a duplicate set and drew out a pattern to cut.
Originally I was following someone elses directions but ended making all the rocks connect like a jigsaw. I changed my mind and decided I wanted it to be a large rock face, not a stack of rocks. But I had already cut the jigsaw. It actually helped some, with the jigsaw I could work in smaller areas and pull out pieces, sculpt them and than put them back. I'm not sure I would do it again this way but it did work.
The first test fit.
All 3 tiles together.
Another test fit.
and finally a water test. I wanted to test the fit and test the shelves under the water before I start finalizing the design. The final shelf on the right will be the basking area and will be removable so that I can access the filter box. I'm using pvc pipe to hold the tiles in place I want to avoid using silicone to glue it in.
Again I have no idea what I'm doing, just making it up as I go.