How Do I Create a Turtle Environment in an Aquarium?

Setting up the proper environment for your pet turtles is vitally important. The proper setup will provide them with comfort and a feeling of being in their natural habitat, and can mean the difference between life and death for your turtles. You can create the perfect turtle environment in an aquarium for your pet with a few key steps.

  1. Aquarium Size

    • Be sure to pick the correct size aquarium for your turtle. Many turtles will not get much bigger than 6 inches in diameter, and a 20- to 50-gallon tank will be ideal for that type of turtle. If you choose an aquarium that is too small for your turtle, it will not have enough room to move, but an aquarium that is too large may not be fully taken advantage of, and the extra space will be wasted.

    Proper Lighting

    • Your turtle will need a basking light and a UV-B light source. The basking lamp will provide your turtle with a heat source, while the UV-B provides vital nutrients that an animal normally gets from the sun. Note that UV-B cannot penetrate glass or plastic, so if you need to rest the lamp on something, choose a wire mesh screen that has been approved for holding light and heat sources. Place your lamps at the top of the aquarium to one side, so the turtle has the ability to move in and out of the light source as necessary.

    Proper Substrate

    • Aquarium gravel is an excellent choice for your turtle's home, but be careful to avoid substrates that may be accidentally eaten, such as crushed walnuts. If you don't want to use aquarium gravel, bare-bottom or river rock may be used. Most people will use aquarium gravel, and though it it more expensive than other options, its appearance is better than other materials'.

    Water

    • Depending on the type of turtle that you keep, you may need a large quantity of water in your aquarium, or a small amount. Either way, a plastic dish that is partially buried in substrate and filled with water makes an excellent pool for your turtle. Change the water every few days to avoid stagnation and mold from building up in the water.

    Food

    • Your turtle's diet depends heavily upon what type of turtle it is. Before purchasing food from the pet store or cutting up fresh fruits and vegetables for your turtle, be sure to find out what types of foods it can and cannot eat. Some species of turtles cannot handle certain types of foods and may become sick or die if fed an improper diet.