How to Make a Habitat for Red Ear Sliders

Locate a suitable tank for your turtle. The guideline used is 10 gallons per inch of shell length. Suitable homes can range from glass aquariums and clear plastic storage containers to stock tanks and custom ponds for outdoor habitats.

Place the tank in a suitable area of your home. Whether inside or outside, be sure to stabilize the tank to reduce the chance of accidents and breakage. Put the tank in a low traffic area that gets lots of sun, if possible. For an outside habitat, ensure that it prevents escape and protects from predators.

Hook up all habitat lighting and heating. Your turtle will need both UVA and UVB spectrum light, as well as a lamp that provides heat. While there is no substitute for natural sunlight, you can purchase fluorescent bulbs that will provide both types of light. Make sure the UVB output is at least 5 to 10 percent. Place the light 10 inches above the basking area. Heat can be provided by ceramic heat bulbs, red heat bulbs or incandescent bulbs. Put the lamps on a timer so they follow a natural day and night cycle.

Install a water filtration system. Internal filters are inexpensive, but must be submerged and will take up space inside your turtle's home. Hanging filters, which grip to the side of your tank, provide water filtration but may not provide adequate water circulation. Canister filters provide both adequate water filtration and circulation but are much more expensive.

Add smooth rocks or other suitable substrate to the bottom of the tank. While having a clear bottom to your tank makes cleaning much more efficient, adding substrate can enhance the appearance and appeal of your turtle's habitat. Be mindful of what substrate may cause harm to your turtle or interfere with your filtration system.

Create a basking platform. A turtle's basking platform must fulfill a few basic requirements: it must be safe, accessible, stable and non toxic. It should be textured and it must provide a suitable heat source. A basking platform must be easy for the turtle to climb onto and it must bring the turtle completely out of the water. A textured surface provides traction and a place for water to drain. A variety of ramps are available.

Fill the tank with water. Unplug all lamps first. You may want to fill it by bringing your garden hose in through a window. The minimal amount of water should be greater than your turtle's straight carapace length, as this will allow the turtle to turn itself over if it gets stuck. Install your underwater thermometer. The water should be kept at a temperature of 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you cannot maintain this temperature, purchase an aquarium heater.

Test the water for impurities (such as hardness, ammonia, chlorine and nitrites/nitrates) and an unbalanced pH by following the instructions included with your water testing kit. Treat the water as directed in your kit.

Decorate the tank with plants and aquarium ornaments. While most ornaments are simply for decoration or customization, keep in mind that they should be safe for your turtle habitat. They should have no sharp edges, be so small that your turtle could become stuck in them or be so heavy that your turtle could be crushed by them. Live plants can be used to maintain water quality and provide a place for your turtle to hide. Water lilies, water hyacinth, duckweed and water lettuce are good examples.