Setting-up An Aqua-terrarium

[mattb22]

I have decided to turn my aquarium into an aqua terrarium, and would like to know if someone one could help me in how to start this. I want to house a terrapin and I have heard people house crabs in with them and wanted to look into this further. I would like it laid out with sand or peat building up to gravel at the surface and a brackish pool on the left hand side.

Any information on this will help extremely many thanks.

Mattb22

 

[Bufo Bill]

Not sure about the crabs...terrapins will have a go at anything in my experience. Also I hope its a really big aquarium, because terrapins like to be able to swim freely as opposed to just soaking like most toads.
My idea for this is to create floating islands - you can buy them from reptile stocking pet shops or you could make them out of spray cans of polyurethane foam (motto with this is to let it set then wash, scrub and wash again, so as to remove any nasties chemical wise), you could mould them into any shape and even create recesses for plants to go in. Having done all this keep in mind that the little loves will enjoy wrecking the lovely eden you have created for them. 'sigh', terrapins - when will they ever learn?

Also not sure how they take to brackish set ups, so consult someone who really knows their onions, okay?
Cheers, from Bill.

 

[africantigerfish7]

Do not use a brackish setup as they will slowly or quickly decline in health and die. Crabs and terrapins definitely don't work as small crabs will be attacked and large crabs will attack them.
Bill is definitely right about the large tank, or preferably a small pond. They need at least 55 gallons for one or two terrapins. I assume you are talking about red eared sliders, but get a larger tank for larger species of terrapins. They don't need the sand or peat, and sorry to say that it will only take up space. As for tankmates you can usually get away with koi and chinese algae eaters, however, you want a pond to do this.

Good luck with the tank !