The Best Mediums To Create A Turtle Paradise

Setting up a turtle tank can be a daunting task, but it is important to provide your turtle with the best aquarium possible to keep it healthy and happy. The most common type of enclosure for turtles is a glass aquarium, which should be large enough for your turtle to thrive once fully grown. It is recommended that turtles have enough room to swim at least four to five body lengths before having to turn around, with a water level that is 1.5–2 times as deep as their shell length. The general rule for how much water a turtle needs in their tank is a minimum of 10 gallons of water for every inch of carapace (upper shell) length. Turtles also need a land area inside the tank to bask and rest. For semi-aquatic turtles, the basking area should take up around 50% of the tank, and for more aquatic turtles, it should take up around 25% of the tank. It is also important to provide a ramp so the turtle can easily climb from the water to the dry area.

Glass tank

When choosing a glass tank, it is important to select one specifically designed to hold water. Glass terrariums for land-dwelling reptiles are thinner and will crack under the pressure of the water. The glass used for turtle tanks should be at least 0.4 inches (6-10mm) thick. The bigger the tank, the better. Your turtle will need a glass tank that can provide roughly 10 to 15 gallons (38 to 57 L) of water for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the turtle's shell. The water level should be deep enough for your turtle to flip over and not get stuck – a depth of 1.5 times your turtle’s length is ideal.

The tank should be deeper than it is wide, so your turtle has enough room to flip itself upright if it accidentally turns upside down. For most turtles, the length of the tank should be three or four times the length of the turtle, the width should be twice the length of the turtle, and the height should be one and a half to two times the length of the turtle. You should also make sure that there is a full 1 foot (30.5 cm) above the highest point the turtle can reach when placed inside the tank to prevent the turtle from climbing out.

Turtles are big waste producers and messy eaters, so you will need a strong filter. External filters are a popular choice as they tend to be 2–3 times bigger than internal ones. It’s also a good idea to select a filter with a bigger capacity than the water volume in your tank.

It is recommended that you place your turtle tank on a ground-floor level space, as it will be heavy due to the water volume. It’s also best not to position your turtle tank too near a window, as natural sunlight can increase the temperature in the tank, making it difficult for your turtle to regulate its body temperature.

You will also need to monitor the temperature of the water and the temperature of the basking/land area. Most turtles prefer water temperatures around 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Land temperatures should be between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (27 and 29 degrees Celsius).

Turtles require UV lighting and natural sunlight to stay healthy. A light with a full-spectrum UVA/UVB bulb has similar benefits to natural sunlight and includes ultraviolet rays, which improve feeding behaviour, calcium absorption, shell growth, and activity. Look for ultraviolet-producing fluorescent lights or mercury vapour bulbs that range from 290-320 nanometre wavelengths.

Land and water

When setting up a turtle tank, it's important to provide a good balance of land and water areas. This will depend on the species of turtle you have, with semi-aquatic turtles requiring more land than aquatic turtles.

For semi-aquatic turtles, the basking area should take up around 50% of the tank, while for more aquatic turtles, the basking area should take up around 25% of the tank. Aquatic turtles require more water than semi-aquatic turtles, but in both cases, the water should be deep enough for the turtle to swim in comfortably. As a general rule of thumb, turtles need 10 gallons of water for every inch of their shell. The water level should be deep enough for your turtle to flip over and not get stuck—a depth of 1.5 times your turtle's length is ideal.

The land area should be easy for your turtle to climb onto and should provide enough room for basking. You can use bricks, foam, rocks, or wood to create this dry area. It's important to ensure that the land area stays dry and is not too close to the water, as this can increase the risk of your turtle developing infections.

You can create a ramp to allow your turtle to easily climb onto the land area, or you can use a floating dock, which adjusts to the water level and doesn't take up valuable space inside the tank. If you're using a ramp, make sure it's not too steep for your turtle to climb.

When designing the tank, it's important to keep it uncluttered and easy to clean. Turtles can knock things over and push stuff around, so avoid using decorations with sharp edges or small enough for the turtle to accidentally ingest. Larger rocks and stones, as well as driftwood, can provide hiding places for your turtle without creating a safety hazard. If using driftwood, make sure to purchase it from a pet store to ensure it's parasite-free.

In addition to the land and water areas, your turtle tank will also need the appropriate lighting, heating, and filtration to create a healthy and comfortable environment for your pet.

Lighting

Turtles need a well-lit tank to stay healthy. A good tank setup will include a lamp that hooks onto the tank or stands separately but can be directed at it. The light should shine on the area of the tank set aside for basking.

Turtles need access to high-quality UV light. Get a light with both UVA and UVB bulbs. UVB light aids the development of your turtle's shell and stimulates vitamin D3 production, while UVA light encourages more activity and a heartier appetite. UVB bulbs should be the main source of lighting.

You can run the light on a timer to simulate natural light cycles. Turtles need a natural light cycle of 12 to 14 hours, followed by 10 to 12 hours of darkness.

Do not place the tank in direct sunlight. Bright, full sun could end up baking and killing the turtle.

The basking bulb should be placed directly above the basking area, providing the highest temperature point in the tank. A basking bulb should be used with a reptile thermostat to allow you to create the correct temperature.

The UVB light should cover a larger area of the tank. Tube UVB lights are a popular choice. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the distance between the turtle’s shell and the bulb is correct. If the bulb is too close, you can burn your turtle.

It’s a good idea to have a hygrometer in the basking area to measure humidity and ensure the area isn't too hot.

Tank Cover

A tank cover will help prevent your turtle from escaping and protect them from any light-related accidents. If a light falls into the water, your turtle will be electrocuted. Some bulbs can also explode, which could seriously harm your turtle.

When choosing a cover, make sure it won't filter out any of the vital UVA and UVB rays that your turtle requires. It's best to speak with your turtle breeder or specialist for advice.

Water temperature

To maintain the water temperature and cleanliness, it is essential to use a strong filter. External filters are a popular choice as they tend to be larger than internal ones. It is recommended to select a filter with a bigger capacity than the water volume in the tank. Regular water changes are also necessary, and the frequency will depend on the number of turtles in the tank. For a single turtle, a weekly partial water change of 25% is suggested, while a complete water change and tank cleaning should be done monthly.

When setting up the turtle tank, it is important to consider the swimming abilities of the turtle. Some turtles may prefer shallower water, so a longer tank is required. The water level should be deep enough for the turtle to submerge and swim comfortably, with a minimum of 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of water recommended. Additionally, the tank should be large enough for the turtle to swim at least four to five body lengths before having to turn around.

To summarise, maintaining the correct water temperature is vital for the health and well-being of pet turtles. By using heaters, thermometers, and filters, and performing regular water changes, turtle owners can ensure their pets have an optimal environment to thrive.

Decorations

You can use logs, smooth rocks, and terrestrial (land) plants to provide hiding places on the basking area. You could also use a wooden enclosure, but make sure that your turtle still has plenty of room to spread out on the empty portion of the basking area. Real plants work great, but turtles will nibble on them, so choose aquatic and terrestrial plants that are non-toxic to turtles.

If you use rocks and logs, avoid using natural ones as they can pose a health threat to your turtle. If you do use something from nature, boil it separately in a pot of water to kill off any algae, germs, or dangerous microorganisms.

Store-bought decorations do not need to be sterilized. Make sure that any decorations you choose do not have sharp edges, as these pose a threat to your turtle and should be avoided. Do not use any decoration with a diameter less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) as your turtle may try to eat it. Avoid enclosure-style decorations, as your turtle may get stuck while swimming under it.

Frequently asked questions