Hi guys, I'm new to the site and to reptile keeping myself so please go easy on me.
Just today I have placed my Eastern Water Dragons and my Shortneck turtles together.
I have talked to many reptile owners and pet store workers along with online researching to understand the risk and care associted with doing so.
I understand that the turtles may nip the tails of the water dragons, I came home one night and found that my little EWD has lost his tail BEFORE I started housing them together (when i cleaned the old enclosure i could not find any signs of it).
Before I continue i shall give some info on my reptiles I am currently housing.
My 2 Eastern water dragons (Flash and bolt) were hatched early this year (january 2012)
My Short necks were also hatched in january this year.
I bought a 4 ft enclosure by 18''x18'' enclosure with is fitted with a 1/3 Basking dock area 20 cm off the ground. I have placed branches all around and ensure that if my EWD fell into the water they can get out. The Water is 14cm high. I have a Reptile one reflector light with a 5.0 UV light recommended by the workers at this pet store i went to. On the Right side of the tank i have a reflector dome with a 75W basking light, which i Will change to a moonlight when its night time. I also have a water heater which keeps the water at 25 degrees. I do NOT have a thermostat because the lady at the pet store said that all the heat would escape from the top and she wasnt sure about using electronics around water.
I understand that both creatures deficate in the water so I purchased a Aqua one 1050 Series 2 Cannister filter. Other then that I have 1 semese fighter fight and 2 guppies in the water (The guppies were purchased pregnet so they can reproduce babies in which the turtles and water dragons can consume) so i have no emotional involvment with the fishes i bought.
I also have a 3 ft enclosure which i was holding my EWD's before I tried to house them together as I was also thinking about getting Bearded dragons. However I am holding out that thought until I know that my EWD's are happy, and if not i will move them back to their enclosure.
I have some pictures shown below.
Please help me out, I'm unsure if the enclosure is enough. I was thinking about housing them for about 12 - 18 months before I decide to Build an outside enclosure. I am also an enviromental student and cannot afford too much !
Just today I have placed my Eastern Water Dragons and my Shortneck turtles together.
I have talked to many reptile owners and pet store workers along with online researching to understand the risk and care associted with doing so.
I understand that the turtles may nip the tails of the water dragons, I came home one night and found that my little EWD has lost his tail BEFORE I started housing them together (when i cleaned the old enclosure i could not find any signs of it).
Before I continue i shall give some info on my reptiles I am currently housing.
My 2 Eastern water dragons (Flash and bolt) were hatched early this year (january 2012)
My Short necks were also hatched in january this year.
I bought a 4 ft enclosure by 18''x18'' enclosure with is fitted with a 1/3 Basking dock area 20 cm off the ground. I have placed branches all around and ensure that if my EWD fell into the water they can get out. The Water is 14cm high. I have a Reptile one reflector light with a 5.0 UV light recommended by the workers at this pet store i went to. On the Right side of the tank i have a reflector dome with a 75W basking light, which i Will change to a moonlight when its night time. I also have a water heater which keeps the water at 25 degrees. I do NOT have a thermostat because the lady at the pet store said that all the heat would escape from the top and she wasnt sure about using electronics around water.
I understand that both creatures deficate in the water so I purchased a Aqua one 1050 Series 2 Cannister filter. Other then that I have 1 semese fighter fight and 2 guppies in the water (The guppies were purchased pregnet so they can reproduce babies in which the turtles and water dragons can consume) so i have no emotional involvment with the fishes i bought.
I also have a 3 ft enclosure which i was holding my EWD's before I tried to house them together as I was also thinking about getting Bearded dragons. However I am holding out that thought until I know that my EWD's are happy, and if not i will move them back to their enclosure.
I have some pictures shown below.
Please help me out, I'm unsure if the enclosure is enough. I was thinking about housing them for about 12 - 18 months before I decide to Build an outside enclosure. I am also an enviromental student and cannot afford too much !
