Habitat - Indoor :: Water not level in 125 gallon tank

[mets3214]

I just got a 125 gallon tank and noticed that there is close to a 1/5 of an inch difference of water level from the left side of the tank and the right. It looked a little more until I measured it but it seems the floor it's on isn't completely straight. The left side the tank has a 1/5 of an inch higher water level and I'm wondering if its a big problem or am I just overreacting? Hope you guys can help, thanks

[steve]

Probably not a deal, though that is a pretty big tank. What kind of stand you do have?

[mets3214]

I have a metal stand. I can take a picture and post it when I get home

[steve]

Is the tank wobbly? If it is then I would shim it or something.

[mets3214]

It doesn't move at all, even when there was no water in the tank. I also just put sand in last night and I'm currently running the filters to remove the cloudiness, I also build a basking area but I'm struggling to find a suitable ramp, any suggestions on what to use to make a ramp when my basking top is some floor tile?

[steve]

Cork, eggcrate, acrylic, tile are all options you can use. Is this a new tank or previously used? Tile might leave a few minor scratches if you're worried about that sort of thing.

[mets3214]

It's a used tank, I have some extra egg crate left. How should I attach it to the tile to create a pretty sturdy ramp

[steve]

I use PVC pipe to support the tile.

[mets3214]

I finally finished setting up my tank, just put my two turtles in there. I still need a different way to place the heat lamp on the basking area, it stuck to the eggcrate after a little while. Here's some pics of the setup

[talal]

That's a nice setup! what kind of filter are you using? what kind of wood did you use for your ramp? It looks interesting please post some close up pictures we'd love to see more! From the looks of it I understand that you're using a mercury vapor bulb, what is the distance between your basking platform and the light? MVB's are usually pretty strong you should use a thermometer to make sure it's not getting too hot. Have your considered hanging it from the ceiling?

[Kansasslider]

Nice tank light might melt the egg crate. What is it with everyone and egg crates?

[mets3214]

I've considered hanging it on the ceiling but I don't really wanna make any holes in my walls, I think I might just buy a clamp lamp. I'm using a Zilla 100 Watt Blue Heat Bulb and the filters are an Aqueon 55/75 and an Aquaclear 110. The ramp was the turtles old basking platform, a Large Zoo Med dock and the platform is tile with some shelf liner on it. My father drilled two holes in the ramp and the tile and attached them with flat screws, I'll take some closeups tomorrow. I bought 25 fish (1 Bala Shark, 10 Neon Tetra, 4 Cory Catfish, 5 Serpae Tetra, 5 Gold Platy) to add to the 7 feeders that they never ate to make a community tank. I just saw my turtles starting to hunt the fish so I'm worried that there may be less of them tomorrow

[talal]

Kansasslider lol

mets, a clamp lamp would work fine but you do realise that the lamp you have is only emitting UVA rays, it is essential for turtles to have UVB lighting as well. In all honesty I would advise you to go with something like a Powersun which will provide both UVB and UVA rays and it will last you 12 months. If not then you can purchase maybe a repti sun to go along with your heat lamp. I also see that you have a tube is that a UVB light? It is good if it is but you have to make sure that your turtles get UVB lighting on their basking area. I got 12 minows 2 weeks ago, only 3 of them are left. Anything you put in your tank is going to turn into a meal for your turtles. Since you have a big tank I am sure some of your fish will make it. I currently have some danios in my tank, they are super fast and my turtles do chase them but are unable to catch them so far. Other users on this forum have successfully kept tetras and barbs as well. Good luck! keep us posted.

[steve]

You can get metal egg crate, which is kind of expensive and there are light hangers that stick to the side of the glass. You can also some sort of plant hanger or shelf bracket.

Talal is right, you need to have your UVA and UVB over the basking area since UVB does not penetrate the water. The clarity and setup looks great.

[VeipaCray]

The egg crate is just fine with a fluorescent light. Remember these things aren't really egg crate but are really light diffusers for fluorescent lights. That's their normal purpose in life when not being chopped up, glued and zip tied by us fish and turtle weirdos.

I used metal egg crate that I was able to obtain a single sheet of from ebay because my cat kept jumping up near the warm light and breaking the plastic egg crate.

Your filtration isn't nearly enough for a tank that size with a turtle. See here for some info: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145