It can be rewarding and relaxing to care for a turtle, but you need to take the responsibility seriously by setting up an appropriate tank for your new aquatic or semi-aquatic friendA good turtle tank will have both water and land areas, and it will be maintained by lighting and filters.
Step 1: Choose a large tank.
A glass fish tank can hold up to 15 gallons of water for every inch of turtle.If you don't have a mature turtle, base your measurements on the average size of the turtle's species.Do not use a reptile tank that is designed for lizards.The pressure of the water can cause the glass to break.The glass used for turtle tanks should be thick.If you have more than one turtle, you should add half the size of the tank to your original measurement.The final tank size should be given by this.The tank should be deeper than it is wide.If your turtle accidentally turns upside-down, you may not have enough room to flip it upright.For most turtles, the length of the tank should be three or four times the turtle's length.One and a half to two times the length of the turtle, but you should also make sure that there is a full 1 foot above the highest point in the tank to prevent it from climbing out.
Step 2: Provide a light.
You can either use a lamp that hooks onto the turtle tank or one that stands separately but can be directed to the tank.The light needs to shine on the part of the tank you want to use as a basking area.Turtles need a high-quality UV light.You can get a light with both UVA and UVB bulbs.UVA light encourages more activity and a heartier appetite, while UVB light stimulates the production ofvitamin D3 and maintains the natural environment.The main lighting should be UVB bulbs.The light from the UVB will help it build a shell.You can run the light on a timer to mimic natural light cycles.Turtles need a natural light cycle of 12 to 14 hours, followed by 10 to 12 hours of darkness.You need to keep the tank in a good location.You can place the tank in shade, but not in direct sunlight.The turtle could be killed by a bright, full sun.
Step 3: It's a good idea to use a water heaters.
It is possible to maintain a consistent temperature with a fully submersible water heater.Attach the heaters to the side of the aquarium with cups.You might need to hide the heater behind a wall to prevent the turtle from breaking it as it swims around.Make sure that your turtle needs a water heater.The preferred temperature depends on the turtle species.A species that prefers room temperature water doesn't need a water heater for warmer temperatures.
Step 4: You can invest in a good filter.
The health of your tank is dependent on filters.Turtles produce more waste than fish, and without a filter, you would need to change the water daily.The large canister filters work best.They can be expensive, but the size makes it hard for the filter to get stuck.The turtle will remain healthy and the tank will stay sanitary.A canister filter reduces the amount of cleaning you have to do.Even though the initial cost of a canister filter is higher than other types, the long-term costs associated with water and filter changes will be lower.If you use an internal filter instead of a canister, use the largest you can find and choose between two filters.You need to change the water at least once every two weeks.
Step 5: Look at the tank covers.
The top of your tank should have a heat-proof metal screen cover.Turtles can be vulnerable to threats like broken lamp bulbs.Since lamp bulbs used for turtle habitats tend to get very hot, they can explode if they get splashed with water, making this a real threat.To prevent turtles from climbing out of your tank, you may want to put the cover on top.Tank covers made of glass or plexiglass are not good for turtles since they block out UVB rays.These materials are more likely to break.
Step 6: You'll need tools to monitor conditions.
When left alone, conditions can change slightly, so you need to monitor and maintain the right conditions to keep your turtle healthy.The temperature of the water and the basking/land area can be monitored.Most turtles prefer warm water.The land temperature should be between 80 and 85 degrees.You need a hygrometer to keep an eye on the humidity in your tank.If you want to change the humidity inside the tank, you can either add or remove something from the land/basking area.
Step 7: If it's necessary, spread it on the bottom of the tank.
You don't need to cover the bottom of the tank.If you decide to put live plants in the tank, this is not a necessity.The tank is more difficult to clean because of substrate.Fine sand, gravel, and fluorite are the best choices.Some turtles like to dig in the sand.The turtle may try to eat the gravel if it is more than 1/2 inch in diameter.There is a lot of nitrogen in Fluorite for plants.Turtles don't eat it, but you should still buy larger fluorite just to be safe.
Step 8: You can make a land area.
There is a land area inside the tank for aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles.The land area in the tank needs to be at least 50 percent of the space.The land mass of most turtles should be no more than 25 percent of the tank's space.Turtles use this land area to dry themselves.The land mass should be at least one and a half times larger than the turtle.There are many options to consider.You can either buy a turtle dock from a pet supply store or use a rock or log.Since they don't take up valuable room inside the tank, floating docks are often preferable.Rocks and logs from nature can pose a health threat to your turtle.If you use something from nature, make sure to boil it in a separate pot of water to kill any harmful organisms.If you want to use something for a land mass that doesn't have a weight to anchor it, glue the land in place along the side of the tank.
Step 9: If needed, provide a water-to-land ramp.
Turtles need a way to get onto the land.The land area should slope down into the water.You will need a separate ramp if it doesn't happen.The ramp can be very simple.A sloping log can be attached to the land area from one side, with the other side dipping into the water.A piece of plastic can be used in a similar way.
Step 10: The right decorations should be used.
Turtles do not need many decorations to survive, but adding a few can make the tank nicer to look at and may help your turtle feel a little more secure.There are hiding places on the basking area if you add logs, smooth rocks, and land plants.There is a wooden enclosure that you could use.Make sure the turtle has room to spread out on the empty portion of the basking area.You should only choose plants that are non-toxic to turtles if you want real plants to work.If you have a turtle, you should avoid decorations with sharp edges.Store bought decorations don't need to be sterile, but they should be boiled separately to kill off harmful germs.The turtle may try to eat a decoration with a diameter less than 1 inch.If your turtle gets stuck while swimming under it, avoid enclosure-style decorations.
Step 11: Place equipment and decorations in a proper location.
The turtle can swim freely if foreign objects are placed along the edges of the tank.Equipment can be hidden beneath the land area.If you want the turtle to be able to swim, place clumps of plants in the center of the tank.The decorations should only be placed in the edges.If you put equipment and decorations in the tank, make sure you don't create tight spots for your turtle to get stuck in.
Step 12: Clean water is in the tank.
The turtle will swim comfortably if the tank is filled with enough water.Turtles need at least 4 to 6 inches of water.The water depth needs to be at least three-quarters the length of the turtle.The turtle can flip itself upright if it flips upside-down in the water.The majority of turtles are freshwater, so you should provide clean water from your sink or jugs of distilled water.