Setting Up an Aquarium for a Box Turtle

Box turtles are easy to take care of, which is why many parents choose to purchase the reptile as a pet for their kids. Properly caring for a box turtle is very important since they can easily die. The King Snake website reports that many pet box turtles die in captivity during the first six months to two years due to improper care. The best environment for a box turtle would be outdoors but setting this up can get fairly pricey. The next best thing is providing an indoor enclosure that provides your turtle with plenty of space, proper heating, lighting and humidity.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Peat Moss
  • Water
  • Cardboard box
  • Turtle pool
  • Heating pad
  • Incandescent heat light
  • UV-B ray light
  • Edible plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase an aquarium that is at least 30 gallons. Provide as much space as you can afford with the minimum enclosure measuring 36 inches by 12 inches by 15 inches.

    • 2

      Place peat moss in one corner of the aquarium and moisten it with water to start the creation of a humid area for your turtle. Aim to reach a relative humidity of 60 to 80 percent in one area of the tank. Check the peat moss frequently to make sure it is moist at all times since it dries quickly. Change the peat moss weekly to prevent bacterial build up and contamination.

    • 3

      Top the peat moss with a cardboard box in which your box turtle can hide.

    • 4
      Turtles like wading and soaking in shallow water.

      Provide a shallow pool for your box turtle with a depth of one-quarter to one-third of the height of the turtle's shell. Clean the water on a daily basis since your turtle will not only wade and soak in it, but he will also defecate in it.

    • 5

      Use an under-tank heating pad in conjunction with an overhead incandescent heat light to heat one area of the tank to 85 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn off the heat light at night so your turtle can sleep and still get heat from the under-tank heating pad. Turn the light back on during daytime so it can heat the tank together with the under-tank heating pad. Provide a heated area and a cool area for your turtle at all times.

    • 6
      Use an alternate sun light source.

      Set up a UV-B ray light to shine into the tank to imitate sunlight which provides your turtle with Vitamin D3 which promotes calcium absorption and will prevent him from developing bone decease. Skip this step if you allow your turtle moderate time outside on a daily basis.

    • 7

      Decorate the turtle's aquarium with safe plants. Opt for edible plants which besides decorative purposes can also function as a nutritional source and you won't have to worry about your turtle nibbling on them since they are edible.