Building a Rimless Aquarium for Razorback Musk Turtles

[@LegendCreations_MC]

This build is sick dude, next time try drilling some slate stone to the bottom of your wood should hold it down nicely.

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

Good to know, I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

[@rogerstenstromk5mow715]

Great looking tank!!!!! Love it. Great job

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

Glad you like it, thanks!

[@cholos17]

Rad enclosure 👌 Keep it up!

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

Thanks! Will do!👍

[@cobefriend7797]

Biodude we need to see you collab with @SerpaDesign !!

[@mellewedin8221]

This I will say with rimless tanks it's best set egg crate lighting on flooring of the tank to distribute the weight of the rocks. They can create pressure points and crack glass over time

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

Good to know, thank you for sharing!

[@billh.1843]

I am trying to find more info on the clack filter and contents you were using as something like this could be insanely helpful for me.

[@redrivervivariums6823]

How can those plants possibly survive long term with no organic layer of substrate for the roots to grow into or get nutrients from?

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

Like i said in the video, most of the plants (with exception of the water lillies) were all growing above the base layer of the bayou, meaning their entire root systems were exposed in the water. So, as mentioned, we are trying this theory out that they can gather some of the nutrients in the water via their roots (especially with messy turtles and bluegills in there). The only one I am not sure on is the Lillies as I did not use the substratum, but many of them had their root systems within rock layers so we will see. It has been about 9 days since it has been setup (it is cycling now with bluegills) and all of the plants with exception of the Lillies have new growth and are vibrant. Lillies have no positive nor negative change as of yet. I will be sure to keep everyone updated.

[@cobefriend7797]

@@TheBioDudeJoshHalter I’ve got a water lily growing bare root directly into my aquariums water and it is doing just fine!

[@mellewedin8221]

Not sure if musk turtles eat plants or not, but if they do I bet you, you wouldn't have duck weed. My painted turtle loves it and it's gone in seconds.

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

Thanks for sharing, we will keep that noted.

[@fredzeppelin21]

I have two of them, they most certainly eat all plants. My best solution to having plants in their tank is by placing pothos in the filter and even then at night when I’m not watching they climb their dock and munch on the leaves I’m sure of because the plants are placed so high out of the water. They used to not really bother with the floating plants but once they got a taste it was over. Anything else forget about it. The funny thing is I put ghost shrimp for them to eat and the shrimp have absolutely thrived and multiplied ten fold 😂

[@Shaden0040]

Add some pickerell weed with its arrow head shaped leaves and purple flowers.

[@Jofus2004]

Josh, if you can try to get a warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) for the tank. They have a nice speckled pattern and another native species to Texas.

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

oh cool! Thank you for the recommendation, I will see if I can find some!

[@Emma-wi8ri]

How could u sanitize rocks from outside?

[@christianlaffey4599]

Do you know the scientific name for those lilies? Ive got a small native pond and I'd love to look at getting some of those for it.

[@redsono93]

Where can I buy those plants, driftwood, and rocks? Also what brand is the tank, stand, and above lighting system? This is amazing and would love to do a Texas Biotope just like you did. It’s a Masterpiece :)

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

Thank you for sharing your appreciation, for the plants we sourced them locally. As for the rest, we offer driftwood on our website and a variety of rocks here at our store location. If you are able to come here, we would be happy to share more detailed information!

[@redsono93]

Hello, Would you ship to NJ? I would pay for it for sure. Thanks, Steve

[@johnbergman5508]

Hey Josh 👍 was wondering...you know so much about a wide array of different enclosures and wild life , do you have a degree of some kind in like zoology ect. What's your background. You got great insight and your young was curious thanks Dude 😁

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

Hi there John (Josh here). Thank you for asking, that is very reasonable. I have been keeping reptiles and amphibians as pets since I was about 13, however, I have been catching them and watching them outside (growing up in PA) since I can remember. I have always been fascinated with them and they have been my passion for a long time. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur I was a Vet tech. I did not go to college for a bachelors, I did go for an associates in Marketing and graduated. Throughout my career I have learned so much by working with other breeders, business', zoos, aza facilities and vets around the United States.

[@johnbergman5508]

@@TheBioDudeJoshHalter That's awsome! This is definitely your calling. You do great work. Really impressive. I think you've made a huge positive impact on this hobby. Thank you for all you've done to spread the word! Much appreciated!

[@johnbergman5508]

@@TheBioDudeJoshHalter I also have a question...i put your pillow moss covering completely the bottom of my whites tree frog enclosure...is that a bad idea? Is that to much? Now I'm wondering how my isopods are supposed to move about and what about my leaf litter? Will it still break down to the substrate? I feel I made a mistake 😔

[@Shaden0040]

Gp;d fosj est duckweed, so if you get any in there just add 1 goldfish into the tank before you add in anything else for a week or two to remove the euckweed. Then remove the goldfish and jeep it or feed it to your turtles.

[@troydorame890]

Where did you buy your tank at I want to get one

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

It is a UNS (Ultum Nature Systems) and they're such beautiful enclosures! Here is their website as reference: ultumnaturesystems.com/rimless-glass-tanks/

[@juandelatorre1600]

Does anyone know how to get rid of fruit flies or gnats from your tanks????

[@TheBioDudeJoshHalter]

I will be attaching a link to our tank hitchhikers blog that include helpful tips when dealing with some of those. Such as, drying out your soil and reducing your misting schedule so the eggs will begin decreasing. In addition to what the link will share, you can also use a vacuum to suck out the ones that fly. It may sound silly but it does really help reduce the population growth. Link: www.thebiodude.com/blogs/how-do-i-create-a-bioactive-vivarium/tank-hitchhikers

[@JamesChastang]

Rocks stacked to high can crush your turtle