aquarium pets are a doozy
If you're handy, you could easily go the DIY route. I'm sure you can cook a solution that would be less than or equal to $100.
Whether or not the solution is attractive and passes your wife's inspection is all in your hands.
I could see a minimalist plexiglass + epoxy approach yielding dividends. However, I am not aware of you and your turtle's needs that might heavily impact the design (filtration, space constraints, ease of cleaning, etc).
I've had some DIY projects turn out worthless, and others have been remarkable successes. If you want some general DIY inspiration you can see my DIY bass guitar at http://www.maxopedia.org/?q=DIY_bass
cheers!
Max,
Thanks for the advice. I'm not particularly handy but I think I might give it a try. It is a good compromise to minimize the financial pain of doing what I know is the ethical thing. If I make any progress I'm sure I'll make a post about it.
You also need to consider that it may be illegal and irresponsible to let that turtle go into the wild. There are some invasive species of turtles that are commonly sold in the manner that you described above. Exotic pets (I know a turtle may not seem that exotic) released into the wild have caused nightmares in some ecosystems. Just do a google search on snakeheads, lionfish, oscars, and red-eared sliders.
Look on Craig's list for free or inexpensive aquariums. My brother found a 55 gallon aquarium very cheap there.
If you decide to get rid of your turtle, perhaps try giving him away (and your aquarium setup along with him) on Craig's list. That will be better than letting him go in the wild.
@ All - Thanks for the comments. As it stands now my two best options are to locate a foster home which will be able to provide a large enough enclosure (no luck yet) or do nothing until I get my tax return in a few months.
@ Max - I looked into making my own set-up. After buying materials and needed tools I would spend at least $300 and probably even more. I'll have to go a different route.
@ Steve - I know about the problems associated with invasive species. That has factored highly into my thought process.
@ Patrick - I have checked out Craig's List. My ideal solution would be from Freecycle. Unfortunately I don't live in a major metropolitan area so I've had little luck finding anything on either site.
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