OSCAR IS IN THE BUILDING!

Hello!

After 7 months of research I have finally got my own Razorback Musk Turtle. His/her name is Oscar. He has settled down very quickly I think, but jumpy right now, but hes exploring his new home, but he likes to sit under the heater a lot.

Here are some pictures...

More pictures will be coming soon!

~Turtle Josh

Sad News!

Hello

Unfortunately I will not be getting a Razorback this weekend...

We went to a local pet shop. It was truly amazing, they had turtles, lizards and snakes. It was the first time I'd seen a turtle apart from pictures. My excitement levels hit sky high... Until we talked to the shop keeper...

We went to get the media for the filter and my Dad ask, "How long does the filter need to be running for, until we put a turtle in there" and the guy said "10 days". My heart sunk.
Now, many experienced turtle keepers say this is not the case, but I have to wait until all ammonia and nitrite levels are 0 and nitrate levels are below 40ppm.

Im sorry to everyone who has followed my progress and helped me throughout the 6 months of my research but it looks like im going to have to wait a couple more days.

~Turtle Josh

Turtle Construction!

Hello!

A couple of days ago, we took a trip to homebase to get a cornershelf and some cork tiles.
The cork tiles were placed under the tank to take some of the pressure and if a grain of sand or dirt got underneath it would crack the tank without the cork bark there to absorb the grains.

It might be hard to see but I put some more sand in the tank.
The red tape is there for extra support, to keep the tank together just incase.
It's all coming along really well!

Only 24 hours to go!

~Turtle Josh

More In The Post!

Hi There!

Two more essentials arrived in the post today!
The water testing kit and my filter, I was very happy that they arrived in time to get setup and tested before the turtle arrives.

This is the Freshwater Master Test Kit off of eBAY, very good prices there for buy it now, brand new!

Look at this beast! The Ehiem 2213, bigger than I thought. Cheapest place to get it is ZooPlus.

Those are the updates so far! I'll be filling the water up tommorow when the last bag of sand arrives to test the filter and get the water quality good. I will dechlorinate the water on Saturday ready for the turtle.

Im also going to make a page with links and shop names that I think sell good quality products for a good price.

~Turtle Josh

Another Update!

Hi!

Just got a few packages in the post today, which contained my clamp lamp for my UV light, sand for the substrate and a water heater. The clamp lamp is great! I tested it and it works fine. I ordered riverbed sand and ended up getting desert sand for lizards so I'm going to return that and but a cheap bag from argos. And lastly the water heater was in great working order until I melted the plastic bit that clips onto the tube. There were no instructions on where to place the plasitc clips, but they were meant to be higher up. I have tied them together with electrical ties, which seem to work!

Ive almost got everything, just waiting for the filter and im going to the pet shop to get food, more live plants and the fish!

My Exo Terra Turtle Bank Has Finally Arrived!

Hey there turt lovers!

I just got my exo terra turtle bank in the post! I bought it off Ebay, the postage was very very fast, but they sent the wrong one :( They send some cheap lucky reptile turtle dock, so I contacted them and they said they will get it out ASAP and surely enough it was there waiting for me when I got back from France! We did ask if they wanted the other turtle bank back, but theres no reply. I am hoping they dont reply and dont want it back, so I can use it as a shallow water area.

Anyway here are some pictures of it all set up...

Still no water added yet to the tank, as I dont have a filter but I will be ordering everything sometime this week so I can get it all setup and running, ready for my little musk turtle which I am getting in about 14 days!

Feel free to comment :)

~Turtle Josh

My Progress So Far...

Hi there

Im slowly getting all the requirments needed for a musk turtle setup. It does take time and the overall cost will be around £200.

Heres a recent picture of my tank...
Its 100 litres, 36" x 15" x 12". I got it for £5 off Ebay so its a great bargin!

The plants in there are plastic, I will be getting some lives ones nearer the time as well as one or two more plastic, as turtles like to rip them to pieces.

Theres a large piece of wood in there to scratch their shells and hide behind.

I use sand as a substrate as I feel its most natural for the turtles and it also means they can dig in it!

Ive also got a UV and heat bulb with a fitting just need to get one more. And the Ehiem 2213 is also on my shopping list along with more sand, plants.

I will also be adding some cory catfish, I havnt yet decided what species, depeding which the shops sells. Still debating whether to get shrimp or minnows.

So thats my progress so far, feel free to comment with any ideas or suggestions!

~ Josh