How to Care for Sliders in an Aquarium

A slider turtle adapts to almost any type of enclosure as long as it is large enough and holds water; but an aquarium is ideal because it lets you watch your turtle from several angles. Red-eared and yellow-bellied sliders are commonly kept as pets. Although they differ in appearance, their needs are similar. Slider turtles are a long-term commitment -- with proper care, they can live 40 years or more.

  1. The Aquarium

    • A long 20-gallon aquarium is a good size for a young slider turtle, but you'll have to upgrade the size of your aquarium as your turtle grows. A full-grown male, which has a 7-inch-long shell, needs a 75-gallon tank; and a full grown female, which can reach 10 inches in length, needs a tank of 125 gallons. There are two ways to set up the tank: You can keep the water shallow so that the turtle can stand on the bottom and raise his head above the water for air, or you can fill the aquarium and provide basking rocks. Place a wire mesh screen on top of the tank to keep the turtle in and foreign objects out.

    Filtration

    • Adding a filter helps keep the aquarium looking and smelling fresh. Even with a filter, you'll have to replace half or more of the water in the tank from time to time for cleanliness and odor control, but you won't have to change the water as often. Choose a filter designed specifically for reptile tanks. Waterfall-type filters designed for fish aquariums aren't generally sturdy enough to stand up to a rambunctious turtle, and turtles find the constant splashing stressful.

    Light and Heat

    • Bright sunlight from a south-facing window is ideal for turtles. Otherwise you'll have to provide full-spectrum ultraviolet light. Make sure the tube you choose provides both UVA and UVB light. It should sit about 1 1/2 feet above the turtle. Keep the light on all day, and turn it off at night to mimic a normal day/night cycle. A timer helps keep the cycle consistent. Sliders enjoy temperatures in the 70s. If you turn your furnace off at night or while you are away during the day, you will need a heater and thermometer. Choose sturdy, unbreakable products designed for reptiles.

    Diet

    • Turtles need a mix of vegetables and meats, but if given a choice they go for the meats. To make sure they eat their vegetables, keep leafy green vegetables such as kale and romaine lettuce in the tank at all times. Provide meats such as crickets and earthworms daily, and remove the leftovers from the tank within an hour. If you prefer, you can feed your turtle prepared pellets. These pellets provide most of the vitamins and minerals that a turtle needs, but it's best to supplement this type of diet with natural foods.