Instructions
Analyze your turtle. If your turtle needs water, it might be dehydrated. You can tell when a turtle is dehydrated if its eyes are swollen or closed. You might have to take your turtle to the veterinarian to get it hydrated.
Watch the turtle swim in the aquarium. If the water level is too low, the turtle will not be able to swim easily. The water level in the tank needs to be above the turtle's shell. Your turtle will need more water if the turtle's shell is seen when swimming.
Examine where the water reaches the rocks in the aquarium. The rocks should be no more than half out of the water. The turtle will need enough dry area of the rock to sit on and bask, but not too much where it can hit the bottom of the tank when it gets off the rock.
Look at the filter in the aquarium. If you notice that the filter is not working properly due to a low water level, you will need to add water to the aquarium. The filter is used to dispose of as much debris and feces as possible, but if there is not enough water in the tank, it will not work as well.
How Do I Know If My Turtle Needs Water?
Turtles swim and eat in water. When they live in captivity in an aquarium, it is vital that they have enough water to live in. Aquatic turtles in particular need plenty of water. They also need the water to be very clean since they drink the water they live in. This requires the aquarium water to be cleaned daily or the use of a filtration device. The water should be replaced with new water at least twice a month.