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r/turtle • … • u/Phyrnosoma

Setting up a tank for a stinkpot, double checking what I'm planning

I've got a lot of snake experience, but not really turtles. Had one RES that was an uwanted gift that I kept outside in a stock tank that wasn't as raccoon proof as I thought it was, but that's it.

I've got a now empty 75 gallon (48x18x21") aquarium. Was thinking a large sponge filter, using driftwood and cypress knees for basking (since that's how I see them bask in streams ponds). With a UV light, probably a 12% T8, and a 25-50 UVA basking light for heat and UVA over one or two of the spots.

Probably filling it to a depth of about 16", so the lights would be 6" or so above the turtle. Substrate I'm thinking of sand, and leaving duckweed going (from the prior setup that had run for years). Maybe with hornwort or anacris and possibly with sailfin mollies or guppies in the tank as well (I'm willing to accept some predation here). The tank still has assorted pond snails from the old anglefish colony that had been in for...about 8 years I think?

I loved watching these guys when I lived near a park with a good population. So having one in the living room sounds fun, but I want to set it up well.

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