Well as the title says... After months and months of thinking on it on what I should keep and doing extensive research on the animals I get interested on. I'ved been keeping my eye on snappers for years on end... But never dared to even plunge into one due to extreme lack of confidence.
BUT at long last! Yesterday night I kept thinking on what I'd like to get as my display animal(I'm OCD-- srsly. So everything MUST be perfect.). And been as I'm so god dang picky about everything. Not just what I keep. But what I wear as well(sensory issues) and things of the sort. I figured out I'd be better off pursuing more into turtles. Because heck! I'ved had em for years! Even now I just keep a northern diamondback terrapin and a musk turtle! SOOO... I figured that I should go for something that I been wanting to but I refrained myself from doing such. Because it's considered for "advanced" keepers. Because it requires very large enclosures!!! 200gallons for a 24incher!!! (well 150gallon is okay. Even a 100gallon can last for years).
SOOO. I went looking at some sites at prices for fish tanks and custom made tanks and I'm deciding I'm either going to build DIY acrylic 200gallon tank that is like 6ft long, 2.5ft wide and 2ft tall(I think that's 200gallons... maybe more????) I figured this should be more than enough for a snapping turtle.
So now I'm waiting on doing this. As for that 40breeder. I'll be using it as a sump. The tank I will make or get needs to be extremely strong and light. BUT must have perfect clarity like glass. I found out that if I make it on my own I can get custom made acrylic glasses. They're pretty much like glass but stronger! AND lighter! It's pricey. But not as pricey as buying one.
Found out it's not really THAT hard to assemble one. Just need to make sure I order the glass with perfect cuts! The edges must be as smooth as possible(to wield or whatever its called).
I'm also looking through some pages that was put on a few forums. Sadly I lost the page. But I got the general idea. I can make my own turtle filter. To be heavy duty! Like a huge trashcan(not really but something like that... Ill show when its done). This may take me a while to make and do. Because I need to buy supplies first and make sure that this is possible. I'm not going to buy the animal atleast untill I start saving up more money for the tank. Which should be soon! Since I start my new job tomorrow! (though I can only use half that money for that--- since the rest is going into savings for a future house and car).
I also researched their care. It's not as hard as it seemed. It's just hard because they can be potentially dangerous if one isn't experienced holding turtles. As well as it's tricky because of the tank size. I don't care much for the appeal to others. But to me, I guess when I see a snapper I see a miracle of nature.
SO my questions are now. Anyone know where I can get top quality acrylic glass? That has good optical as well as good durability? I'm looking into acrylic because it's supposed to be sturdier but gets scratched easily! WHICH can be buffed out! As well as it's supposed to be lighter and basically almost indestructable(leak wise). Hoping to make a custom lid as well. Any suggestions? On the filtration as well?
Any suggestions on making the aquarium, and or care for the turtle will be greatly appreciated!
P.s. I could use a stock tank... But... Not a fan of viewing things from top view. I rather look at it from side view. You know what I mean? Face to face.
As for handling. I know how they can be. Like large musk turtles(I delt with those). As well as if you get a towel and let them bite into the towel you can easily transfer them(the adults-- juvies aren't that bad to transfer).
anyone know excellent breeders? Someone told me to just go catch one--- but I don't feel that may a good idea. Though I'm going to go look for them to handle them in their natural environment. So I can get some experience under my belt handling them. To test my methods out with babies, juveniles and adults. Don't wanna loose a finger!
BUT at long last! Yesterday night I kept thinking on what I'd like to get as my display animal(I'm OCD-- srsly. So everything MUST be perfect.). And been as I'm so god dang picky about everything. Not just what I keep. But what I wear as well(sensory issues) and things of the sort. I figured out I'd be better off pursuing more into turtles. Because heck! I'ved had em for years! Even now I just keep a northern diamondback terrapin and a musk turtle! SOOO... I figured that I should go for something that I been wanting to but I refrained myself from doing such. Because it's considered for "advanced" keepers. Because it requires very large enclosures!!! 200gallons for a 24incher!!! (well 150gallon is okay. Even a 100gallon can last for years).
SOOO. I went looking at some sites at prices for fish tanks and custom made tanks and I'm deciding I'm either going to build DIY acrylic 200gallon tank that is like 6ft long, 2.5ft wide and 2ft tall(I think that's 200gallons... maybe more????) I figured this should be more than enough for a snapping turtle.
So now I'm waiting on doing this. As for that 40breeder. I'll be using it as a sump. The tank I will make or get needs to be extremely strong and light. BUT must have perfect clarity like glass. I found out that if I make it on my own I can get custom made acrylic glasses. They're pretty much like glass but stronger! AND lighter! It's pricey. But not as pricey as buying one.
Found out it's not really THAT hard to assemble one. Just need to make sure I order the glass with perfect cuts! The edges must be as smooth as possible(to wield or whatever its called).
I'm also looking through some pages that was put on a few forums. Sadly I lost the page. But I got the general idea. I can make my own turtle filter. To be heavy duty! Like a huge trashcan(not really but something like that... Ill show when its done). This may take me a while to make and do. Because I need to buy supplies first and make sure that this is possible. I'm not going to buy the animal atleast untill I start saving up more money for the tank. Which should be soon! Since I start my new job tomorrow! (though I can only use half that money for that--- since the rest is going into savings for a future house and car).
I also researched their care. It's not as hard as it seemed. It's just hard because they can be potentially dangerous if one isn't experienced holding turtles. As well as it's tricky because of the tank size. I don't care much for the appeal to others. But to me, I guess when I see a snapper I see a miracle of nature.
SO my questions are now. Anyone know where I can get top quality acrylic glass? That has good optical as well as good durability? I'm looking into acrylic because it's supposed to be sturdier but gets scratched easily! WHICH can be buffed out! As well as it's supposed to be lighter and basically almost indestructable(leak wise). Hoping to make a custom lid as well. Any suggestions? On the filtration as well?
Any suggestions on making the aquarium, and or care for the turtle will be greatly appreciated!
P.s. I could use a stock tank... But... Not a fan of viewing things from top view. I rather look at it from side view. You know what I mean? Face to face.
As for handling. I know how they can be. Like large musk turtles(I delt with those). As well as if you get a towel and let them bite into the towel you can easily transfer them(the adults-- juvies aren't that bad to transfer).
anyone know excellent breeders? Someone told me to just go catch one--- but I don't feel that may a good idea. Though I'm going to go look for them to handle them in their natural environment. So I can get some experience under my belt handling them. To test my methods out with babies, juveniles and adults. Don't wanna loose a finger!
My dad said I can't own something like that yet because this house is to be sold(like maybe in 5yrs? Maybe less? Possibly 5). And he wants me to get something that is not needing that much space. But I'm soo picky. I'm ultra picky about what I like. I try not to make decissions based on him otherwise I end up loosing interest in the animal. That happened to me with an aquarium designed for guppies when I got into the hobby. 
