| Many are zoned in on the pond experience, and well | | | | developed that offers the pond experience. This |
| they should because it is a natural setting for turtles | | | | particular design basically removes the drudgery of |
| and reptiles alike. It consists of a swimming area and | | | | siliconing in a partition. It allows one side to be a pool |
| a nesting area. | | | | and the other side to be a nesting area. The down |
| The Typical Aquarium | | | | side is that the tub is only useful for viewing from |
| Typically owners of aquariums develop there own | | | | above. So the tub must be placed on the floor for |
| styles of systems which include a swimming area and | | | | viewing. Additionally, placing the unit on the floor is |
| a nesting area. The simplest and lowest cost method | | | | not optimal especially for pet enthusiasts who want |
| is to change an aquarium to a pool-nesting combo. A | | | | to conserve space, and also use the conventional |
| piece of glass is siliconed in between the sides of the | | | | aquarium systems. |
| aquarium. This provides a swimming area and a | | | | Aquarium systems again have their benefits, and |
| nesting area, just by siliconing a piece glass in place. | | | | they are primarily the fact of space and aesthetics: ie |
| The Turtle Tub: Pond Experience | | | | it is not an eyesore. Everyone has seen a fish tank in |
| The second most popular method is to abandon the | | | | a doctors office, or even in a home. The bottom line |
| aquarium setting altogether and use a tub that is | | | | is they look like a piece of furniture, not a sore |
| either made with partitions in it, or owners again | | | | thumb sitting in the middle of the floor. |
| develop their own style of partition. | | | | The Optimum Turtle Tub |
| A third alternative is to actually combine the two | | | | So the optimum situation would be to use an |
| systems into one. I will talk about the third system in | | | | aquarium as the setting. Have it provide both the |
| a minute, but I want to discuss the first two in a little | | | | swimming and the nesting area. Trouble is that |
| bit more detail so we understand the strengths and | | | | siliconing in a partition makes cleaning difficult. |
| weaknesses of each. | | | | Several reptile enclosure accessories have come up |
| Strengths and Weaknesses of Each System | | | | with ideas that include the tank. Usually the idea is |
| The aquarium system is nice because it allows a | | | | something that straddles the tank. There is another |
| visual of the turtles or reptiles from the side. Not all | | | | idea however that used, such as floating logs for |
| animals appreciate the viewing of themselves, water | | | | basking. |
| dragons for example, but most are not affected too | | | | The third idea involves a pool converted into a |
| badly by it. You will find that animals have | | | | basking area. Kind of like a floating island for basking. |
| personalities and if treated right, the visual experience | | | | In other words, the reptile can nest on an island while |
| is not hurting them. | | | | swimming around it, or next to it. This can be |
| Some times a reptile likes to retreat, so a hollowed | | | | accomplished by using pool as a nesting area, and the |
| out log, or a rock with a space behind it offers a | | | | rest of the aquarium as a pool. The ease of |
| "get away" or a concealment for the pet. The | | | | maintenance is much simpler this way. The pool can |
| aquarium systems can offer this variety, but have a | | | | be removed, and then the tank can be drained (or |
| distinct down fall, and that is water changes and | | | | even use conventional filtration systems), while the |
| overall cleanliness of the aquarium. Cleaning the | | | | nesting section is removed and placed on the side. |
| environment is very important for pet health and it | | | | Once the tank is cleaned, the nesting section can be |
| must be done frequently. | | | | put back in place. |
| Any pet owner worth his salt working with an | | | | So to recap, |
| aquarium system must devote at least an hour to | | | | There are three methods: |
| cleaning and reassembling the aquarium tank system. | | | | 1. Aquarium Tank Siliconed Partitioned Nesting Section |
| Just in case you are wonder, wont a filtration system | | | | 2. Turtle Tub Enclosure |
| work? Yes it will, but the water still needs to be | | | | 3. Aquarium and Nesting Section |
| changed. | | | | All three methods have their merits, but the third |
| Mega Turtle Tank | | | | seems to combine the best of both worlds: viewing, |
| The turtle tank, or mega turtle tub has been | | | | aesthetics and cleaning. |