How to Design an Aquarium for Red-Eared Slider Turtles

Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular types of turtles kept as pets in both indoor tanks and outdoor ponds. These turtles are aquatic turtles, which means that their tank must consist mainly of water but should also include rocks and logs where they can bask. Before purchasing a red-eared slider, and before you begin building a tank for one, learn more about the needs of these creatures to determine what type of tank to build or buy.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass aquarium with lid
  • Water
  • Medium-sized gravel
  • Rocks and driftwood
  • Heating lamp
  • Infrared heat lamp bulb (75 watts or less)
  • Tank hood or all purpose lamp
  • Fluorescent bulb (75 watts or lower)
  • Submersible aquarium heater (optional)
  • Aquarium filter (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a glass aquarium to use for your red-eared slider aquarium. Depending on the size of your turtles, you may be able to use an aquarium as small as 10 or 15 gallons, but your adult turtles will require a tank size of at least 55 gallons, so it may be best to begin with a tank this size.

    • 2

      Fill your tank with warm water. The appropriate amount of water space will depend on the size of your turtle. The proper dimensions for water space can be determined by using the following formula: a length of 4 times the turtle's length, a width of 2 times the turtle's length, and a depth of 1.5 times the turtle's length. This formula provides the minimum water space requirement -- feel free to provide more water for your turtles.

    • 3

      Line the bottom of your red-eared slider aquarium with medium-sized gravel. If you have enough space in your tank to accommodate an area of dry land, create a slope using the gravel leading out of the water onto the land portion of the tank.

    • 4

      Create basking sites for your turtles. Position large rocks and pieces of driftwood in the water so that they stick up above the surface, and place some additional basking sites on the dry land portion of your aquarium. You may also attach pieces of wood or sheet acrylic to the side of your aquarium with quick-dry cement or waterproof epoxy.

    • 5

      Insert an infrared bulb, 75 watts or lower, into a reptile heating lamp and position it on the tank lid so that the bulb is directly above at least one of your basking sites. The heating bulb will provide your turtles with a warm place to bask, and it will also help to keep the temperature up in the tank. The ideal tank temperature is around 75 degrees F, though the temperature should be between 85 and 95 directly below the heating bulb.

    • 6

      Position your turtle tank where it will be exposed to natural sunlight. Natural sunlight is healthy for your turtles and will help to keep the tank warm. Avoid placing the tank where it will get too much sunlight, however, because this could cause the tank to overheat.

    • 7

      Install a full-spectrum fluorescent light above your turtle's tank in addition to the basking lamp. UVA and UVB lighting will aid your turtle's production of Vitamin D-3. Insert a bulb that is 75 watts or lower into the tank hood, if you have one, or purchase an all-purpose lamp and position it on top of the tank so that it is between 18 and 24 inches away from your turtles. Keep the lamp on during normal daytime hours.

    • 8

      Maintain high water quality in your turtle's tank. Use a submersible water heater, if necessary, to keep the water temperature between 75 and 85 degrees F. Installing an aquarium filter is not necessary if you plan to clean and change the water in the tank frequently, but a filter can be very helpful in removing waste and debris from the water.

    • 9

      Cover your red-eared slider tank with a tight-fighting screen lid. If the decorations in your tank are too high and your tank is not covered, your turtles may find a way to escape.