What should I use at the bottom of my tank?

[Rob Labonte]

So, I have a turtle tank that I keep bare at the bottom to make cleaning easier.  only problem with this is that my turtle sees his own reflection and spends lots of time fixating on it and going in circles and I think its affecting him mentally.

I really dont want to put any substrate as hes a messy eater. I was thinking of painting the bottom of the tank, but it would still reflect something..if not everything still.

any ideas of what to use/put down?

[fischkopp]

What's your turtle's name, Marvin? 

The turtle doesn't actually see a reflection, only you, because your are looking through glas-water-glas, it's a kind of prism effect. So what ever is underneath the tank keeps him busy. Just put something dark/black on the bottom, that calms most species down.

ps: this is not the proper section and will be moved soon ...

[groupie02]

please remind me where our turtle section is again...

[beowulf]

please remind me where our turtle section is again...

LOL your guess is as good as mine!!

Any luck with putting something under the tank to keep his mind of it?

[groupie02]

Rob, I was not being snooty. I was asking the question as someone reported your post indicating that it should be moved somewhere else. So, I asked where our turtle section was. I'm fine with leaving your post here in the equipment forum. To me, it's the best place to place it.

[fischkopp]

sorry, if all thats supposed to be discussed on this board is fish, than count me out, cause I keep more than just fish.

Not sure why it was reported (wasn't me), but I felt that "perplexed turtle" might be a better fit in the general category, hence my comment. But I see how it could just stay here as well.


There are quite a few turtle keepers out there, they do have a place in the aquatic world and here.

[sas]

Bringing this back to the posters' question,
I'd try putting some sand or gravel down. Doesn't have to be alot, just a dusting to break up the mirror effect of the bottom of the tank.
We have koi that come in every fall and they are spooked by the bottom of the tank, so I sprinkle the floor of the tank with either gravel or sand. Just enough to break up the mirror effect.
hth

[washefuzzy]

There isn't one. These questions go to the Lounge.

The question is not about the turtle the question is how to cover the bottom of the tank so Equipment/DIY is the logical place to put this question.

[Saltcreep]

There isn't one. These questions go to the Lounge.

If this very interesting question had to be posted in the lounge, we never would have seen it.

[Saltcreep]

My point is that Rob, like myself, is a non-member, and therefore would not have been allowed to post his question at all.

[beowulf]

This is why the Lounge is for memebers only. To get the advantages of being a card carrying member. It is an advantage. The old saying still holds true, "Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?" Besides supporting the club is not a bad thing by any means.

Will you just mind you own business?  The webmaster has made up his mind, he currently is the webmaster and what the former one did does not apply to this one.  If you are not happy don't open and post in this thread....


APW2 maybe delete all posts not related to the original question?

[Saltcreep]

This is why the Lounge is for memebers only. To get the advantages of being a card carrying member. It is an advantage. The old saying still holds true, "Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?" Besides supporting the club is not a bad thing by any means.

I fully understand the restrictions on posting in the Lounge but what this means is that anyone posting a question about reptiles or like-subjects must be a member. Allowing the post in Equipment / DIY avoids the double-standard.

Apologies for the threadjack.

[RoxyDog]

*sigh* 

#1: To anser the OP: I agree with sas, a light dusting of substrate might be a good idea.

#2: This thread was in the right place.  *Some* reptile questions like this are just fine.  If you start discussing breeding your geckos we might ask you to remove it.   

#3: I'll be asking the APW to clean up this thread now...

[beowulf]

Back off I am a paying a member I can state my opinion on how the club is run. The exec. is here to serve the club. they act in the best interest of the club. members opinions are important. We apy for this club to be run!

So because your a paying member you got to threadjack peoples threads and state your opinion no matter what, when and where you want?  Ever hear about a PM?  You could have simply PM'ed Groupie2 and asked if this was in the right place instead you have replied over and over arguing something that others do not agree with you.  You are as hard headed as anyone I have met, people tell you to back off and you continue pushing your point.  Learn to relax, this is a hobby and is suppose to be for fun not the bloody military.  Even if this post was in the wrong forum, is it the end of the world?  You seem to think so from your posts.

[groupie02]

ok - locking this one until I have time to cleanup.