How to Care for Quarter Turtles

The term "quarter" applies not to a species of turtle, but to the size of an individual turtle specimen. The young of many turtle species could be available in the size range of a quarter, but the red eared slider turtle, which is found in the eastern three-quarters of the United States, is most commonly kept as a pet. The red eared slider is hardy turtle, but adequate attention must be given to its basic needs. The majority of red eared sliders are available in the "quarter" size range, but do not stay that small. Potential buyers need to be aware that these tiny turtles will grow and require specific lighting and diet.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon aquarium
  • 10-gallon plastic bucket
  • Aquarium gravel
  • Garden tap
  • Canister filter, incorporating mechanical, biological and chemical filtration compartments
  • Nylon bag
  • Plastic cable tie
  • Activated carbon
  • Filter floss
  • Bio balls
  • Full spectrum ultraviolet fluorescent light
  • Basking rock
  • Infrared bulb
  • Aquarium heater
  • Commercial turtle food
  • Raw fish fillets
  • Lean raw meat
  • Reptile multivitamin
  • Carrots, melons and apples
  • Calcium powder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 20-gallon aquarium on a sturdy and level stand, or on a level work surface.

    • 2

      Half fill the aquarium with tap water.

    • 3

      Half fill a 10-gallon plastic bucket with aquarium gravel.

      Place the bucket under a garden tap and open the tap fully, until the gravel is covered by water.

    • 4

      Use your hands to stir up the gravel and gently pour off the water, without loosing any gravel.

      Repeat this process, until all the dust and debris has been washed out of the gravel.

    • 5

      Place the gravel into the aquarium, on one side.

      Add sufficient gravel to create a mound that raises an inch above the water level.

    • 6

      Open the canister filter and fill the biological filter compartment with bio balls.

    • 7

      Open the box of activated carbon and pour it into the nylon bag.

      Secure the neck of the bag with a plastic cable tie. Rinse the bag under running water until the water running from the bag is clear. Place the nylon bag into the chemical filtration compartment of the canister filter.

    • 8

      Connect the canister filter to the aquarium.

      Plug it into a power source and turn it on.

    • 9

      Position a full spectrum ultraviolet fluorescent light over the raised island in the aquarium.

      This light source assists the turtle to produce vitamin D-3.

    • 10

      Place a basking rock on the dry gravel.

      Position an infrared bulb above the rock. Place the light at a height sufficient to create a warm spot above the basking rock. The temperature in the area should be between 85 and 90 degrees F. Place the light in such a way that the slider turtle can move from the heat, but still be on the island, if it so chooses.

    • 11

      Set the thermostat on an aquarium heater to 80 degrees F and place the heater in the water.

      Secure the heater to the glass of the aquarium, below water level, with the adhesive suction cups. Plug the heater into a power source and turn on.

    • 12

      Place the "quarter" red eared slider into the aquarium.

    • 13

      Feed the red eared slider a mixture of commercial turtle pellets, raw fish fillets, raw lean meat, earthworms and vegetables, such as carrot, apples and melon.

      Soak the fish fillets in a reptile multivitamin on alternate days. Sprinkle calcium powder onto the lean meat twice weekly.