How to Set Up for a Pet Turtle

There are many types of pet turtles, and habitat set-up is the single most important component of them living a long happy life in captivity. Different species will require slightly different things in their environment, however, there are some set-up basics that apply to all aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles. Follow these directions to prepare a welcoming home for your pet turtle.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon glass aquarium
  • Water
  • Aquarium water heater
  • Thermometer
  • Water filter
  • Rocks or wood or other docking area
  • Full spectrum lighting source (UVA and UVB)
  • Light hood
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the aquarium on a sturdy surface, away from vents, but close to an electrical outlet. A 20-gallon tank will comfortably house two small turtles, but as they grow, they will need a larger aquarium.

    • 2

      Fill the tank with water. Regular tap water is fine, but it will need to sit for 24 hours before the turtles are introduced. Aquatic turtles need at least 50 to 75 percent of their habitat to be water, and the water should be deep enough for them to swim freely while completely submerged.

    • 3

      Set up the aquarium water heater and plug it in. There are several different styles available, but the easiest to use are submersible and can be set to a certain temperature. The water in a pet turtle's habitat should remain at 78 degrees. Hang a waterproof aquarium thermometer in the tank to monitor the water temperature.

    • 4

      Plug in the filter and place it in the tank. A large canister-type filter works best for turtles, which produce a great deal of waste. Internal filters will also work fine, but you will need to do more water changes if you use that type. Both filters have filtration mediums that need to be changed regularly (one to two times a month).

    • 5

      Create a landing area for the habitat that covers approximately 25 percent of the tank. You can use rocks or wood to do this--or you can buy a turtle dock at the pet store. Just make sure the turtle can get on and off of it for basking and resting.

    • 6

      Set up a hooded 60-watt light bulb (which radiates heat throughout the aquarium) above the basking area. This light works best to keep the area at its optimum temperature of 80 to 85 degrees. Set up a UVB light on the other side of the tank. Turtles need about 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark each day.

    • 7

      Allow the water to set for 24 hours and then introduce the pet turtles to their home. Keep a careful eye on them the first day they go into the aquarium to make sure they are not showing any signs of distress.