DIY turtle tank help... please!

[12ammstein]

This may seem a amateur question, but I am beginning the designing phase of a tank for my newly acquired african side necked turtle. The dimensions of it are going to be 72x18x24 (inches). I went through the research of the proper thickness for the tank and found that it needs to be 11mm, however this thickness was calculated for an aquarium tank (full of water). So my question is should I use that thickness for my tank? or since the tank will not be completely filled with water, will a slightly less thickness suffice.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

12ammstein

 

[redtailshark1]

as 11m mm is the standard for that size tank and you will only fill it to half way i think you could get away with 9mm or 8mm laminated

 

[12ammstein]

Awesome, thanks alot for your help. Does this also apply towards the display glass in a plywood tank?

 

[m1ste2tea]

I think those are good dimensions for the turtle. try to fill it 3/4 of the way to the top, they love to swim.

What is your lighing setup?

your uv light/ heat lamp setup must not be too far or too close to the basking area. I have extended mine above the tank so that I can make the water level higher. by having more water, you will have more stable water conditions.

 

[Sherry321]

turtles are fun to watch, mine come up to the side of the tank when I enter the room, with me they don't jump off their basking area back into the water, just when strangers come into the room ..

 

[Valous]

Yea turtles are great. But might i suggest that you make the glass at 11mm cause when he grows you will want to keep adding water. the other option is making a basking area on top of the tank so you dont have one of those floating docks. I have seen it done and will be doing it on my 75 when my turts get a little bigger.

 

[redtailshark1]

that is a good point so a floating turtle dock would be a good option aswell.
they move up and down with the water level.

 

[xdragonxb0i]

that is roughlt 120 gallons. Your better off buying a 120 gallon then building it. water proofing and glass will cost around 450 bucks on average. you can get a nice 120 for that price

 

[epond83]

The turtle docks are ok until the turtle out grows the thing.

I'm a fan of the above tank basking area, this is the first set up i did like this

Then she decided to start laying eggs so i currently have this set up, the top is fully covered now