I've had her for a week now. Very personable turtle. Reminds me of a cross between the behavior of a bottom dweller like a musk turtle but the personality of some of basking species like sliders.
African Riparium Plants?
- Thread starter Brewster320
- Start date
i've had my high humidity riparium + matamata setup for a few months now and even though the turtle is not a basking turtle, he still tried to climb on the trellis rafts in the beginning. But since he's so clumsy, he never made it up and doesn't bother to try anymore. Not sure how your helmeted turtle will do though since it is a basking species, but plants in the hanging planters should do just fine
Hey Brewster320 if you wouldn't mind cheating a little bit one of the best plants that you could use for this setup would be peace lily (Spathiphyllum). These are South American plants, but they grow really well in ripariums and they are really easy.
Here is a setup that I have with Spathiphyllum most of the background.
Here is a setup that I have with Spathiphyllum most of the background.
I guess I wouldn't mind to much with the plants. I just thought it'd be cool to get a complete African ecosystem going lol. I do like the look of the peace lilies though.
And I'd love to see your mata mata set up chanathon!
And I'd love to see your mata mata set up chanathon!
There are a few other more or less authentic plants that I can think of too. The main thing to consider would be whether you would want this to be a high-humidity riparium with a closed top, or an open one with more air circulation. Plants would be distinct for those types of ripariums.
Sorry for taking so long, I've held off on the riparium plan for a bit due to me being busy but now I plan on trying again. It is probably going to be an open top tank so plants that do not need high humidity would be preferred. So the peace lillies are a good choice for me.
Also in the the time I've waited on the idea I've discovered that my turtle is fish friendly. During this time she has been living with an Oscar, a firemouth, and an armored catfish without issues other than some aggression other than feeding. But usually she ignores the fish, so that brings hope that in the riparium she could get along with a community of African cichlids and other fish.
Also she still hasn't basked since over had her so I doubt she will tear down the planters. The only thing I need to do now is figure out what size tank I will use for the project and what type.
Also in the the time I've waited on the idea I've discovered that my turtle is fish friendly. During this time she has been living with an Oscar, a firemouth, and an armored catfish without issues other than some aggression other than feeding. But usually she ignores the fish, so that brings hope that in the riparium she could get along with a community of African cichlids and other fish.
Also she still hasn't basked since over had her so I doubt she will tear down the planters. The only thing I need to do now is figure out what size tank I will use for the project and what type.
I decided I'm going to try for a papyrus themed riparium, while I was out today I found some "Wild Spike Cyperus" for a good price so I bought some. I ended up with a lot more than I realized. I don't have the setup done or even know what type or size of tank I'm doing for it so for now I put it in my turtle filter. When the time comes I should have plenty for the setup and a ton left over for the filter. Here's a picture, sorry about the quality, it's from my cell phone.
