The new tank

[johngefc]

Well we got the 7ft tank set up today. Damn it was heavy! (had to get it from a third floor flat!!)
Both our one year olds have gone in with the 12 inch plec we inherited. So far they seem to be getting along. Hoping keeping them all well fed will keep it that way.
They seem to be unsure of exploring the full tank and have stayed around the basking deck all day. Hopefully tomorrow they'll explore a bit more.
Whilst we were at the pet shop getting the reptile bulb for the new tank we got two tiny yellow bellies.(about 1inch) they've gone in the 3ft tank till they get big enough to go in with the bigger ones.
Such wonderfull animals. The kids have not even turned the tele on tonight. Too busy watching the turtles.
Ill keep you updated on the progress in the tank.

[turtlegirl]

7ft tank - awesome! Wish I had space for one.
The huge pleco won't harm the turtles as the are largely algae eating vegetarians though they do need some meaty pellets, same as turtles. It would be good to have a bit of plastic or clay pipe for the pleco to sleep in during the day as they are mainly nocturnal and become active at sunset.....just when the turtles are going to sleep.
Being heavily armoured it is unlikely to end up as turtle food though the may nip its tail.Well done for offering a good home to the pleco as they are difficult to rehome when they get big (I have adopted 2plecos, one of which also came with a cheap tank).
Your baby turtles will soon grow up and be ready to join the others in the big tank sooner than you think.(see my recent posting on Baby Musk who is now doing well in the adult musk tank)

[johngefc]

We didn't really have space for it but couldn't turn it down.
We were looking at some musks and maps today but was not sure about mixing the species so thought we'd get more yellow bellies.
Maybe once these little guys are bigger we may try some of the little ones.
How many would be sensible too have in the tank?

[turtlegirl]

Maps generally get on well with sliders - I've mixed species before when tanks leaked or had to make room for unexpected new arrivals.
Maps also get on with musks in my experience - again I've put male maps in the musk tank for a few weeks to stop them pestering female maps.
With a 7ft tank you have more options so go ahead and adopt as many little darlings as you wish. Wayne has plenty of all species and I can let you have 2 cute year old sliders (still small but not fragile hatchlings) if you can collect them from London.You can always partition the tank later if war breaks out when they grow up..