Natural Tank...

[powellmacaque]

I was thinking about starting up a Florida ecosystem tank. I could basically go out in my back yard and get the plants, rocks, and animals needed for it. My question is what could I put in a reasonably sized tank (less than 100 gallons)?
I was thinking a native (not endangered) Florida turtle (maybe a box or slider), mosquito fish, a frog (a bullfrog or something), and some sort of panfish or other native florida fish... Any ideas? How would I set this up?

 

[Ghost_knife]

Turtles and fish in a tank dont mix, you'll end up with a smelly mess, turtles need alot of space and land to get around on, It's fairly impossible to do that.. I wouldnt reccomend your idea

 

[powellmacaque]

Well I dont have to have a turtle. But I would like a natural Florida tank... I read on some turtle sites that bigger fish (in the 4-6" range) actually benefit a turtle tank because it keeps the nutrients in check. Couldn't I make a set up like the one in the firebelly newt thread a while back? Make a silicone shelf halfway thru?

 

[Ghost_knife]

yeah, it's possible but that also limits the space for your fish and most florida fish get quite large.

 

[willy:-)]

That sounds really cool but I doubt you could do it in anything less than 150 gallons. It would be awsome to get a huge tank and put glass(whatever) half or so way up held by beams on both ends and have a section in the middle open water and water under the glass, almost like an unconnecting bridge. If you do decide to do something there had better be pics for us!

 

[sardesign]

I agree, you will need a gigantic tank in order to pull that off. I wanted to do something similar (sort of like a vivarium except with alot more water). I quickly realized if I were to do that, I would have a 50 gallon tank instead of a 100 gallon tank. You would also need to clean the water line quite a bit because all of the nutrients in the water would start to accmulate and leave a layer of scum or calcium deposits.

 

[Ghost_knife]

or an outdoor pond,

btw sardesign your siamese alge eater is most likely buried itself in the gravel and is hiding out, it'll show up sometime,

 

[powellmacaque]

If I just did fish could I get it under 150 gallons?

 

[moesha]

a softshelled turtle would be pretty cool. definately dont put a box turtle in a tank like that, they are terrestrial more like a tortoise and drown easily. spotted gar fish would be neat too.