Re: about substrate on the bottom
Rowena, I’m sure you could find crushed coral at any tropical fish store that sells marine fish. I think any substrate would work ok with any type of power/canister/submersible filter. The only exception in my opinion is substrate use with undergravel filters. Any aquatic turtle could easily cause a huge mess by sifting through the substrate since that’s where all the uneaten food and waste get siphoned to. If you plan on using crushed coral, I would think a thin layer (enough to cover the bottom) in conjunction with your filter (I’m not familiar with the brand) should work. Weekly gravel vacumming should prevent it from becoming a “bacteria hellhole.” The feeder goldfish should also prove to be handy scavengers. I do use cuttlebone and have found that my dbts chew on them every once in a while. I’ve also tried mineral blocks but am not sure whether my dbts have taken to them or whether they are just dissolving unutilized. Sorry to hear about her hand. One of my previous landlords had a Californian desert tortoise with a stump for a hind leg. It had gotten its foot tangled in a towel during hibernation which cut off the circulation to its leg. Obviously, the leg had to be amputated but this thing is just amazing. It’s the fastest tortoise I’ve ever seen and seems none the worse for its handicap! Cheers. Chun — In diamondbackterrapins@egroups.com, “Rowena Tan (bcHOSTena)”