Step1
Research your turtle's natural habitat. Knowing how your turtle would live in the wild will help you create the perfect home for him by simulating as much of his native habitat as possible.
Step2
Select the proper sized aquarium. Use the ratio of ten gallons to one turtle to determine what size aquarium you will need. For two turtles you will need 20 gallons, for three you will need 30 gallons, and so on.
Step3
Assemble under-gravel filter and place it in the bottom of the aquarium at this point. If you have chosen an outside filter you should wait until step 7 to assemble and install the filter.
Step4
Add enough gravel, sand or pond rock to the aquarium to make about a one-inch layer on the bottom of the tank.
Step5
Fill the tank about halfway with the aged or dechlorinated water. Aging water is simply setting a few gallons of water out, uncovered, to allow the chlorine and other caustic chemicals used to treat drinking water to leach out of the water. You can speed up this process by boiling the water or you can skip it entirely by purchasing a special dechlorination solution sold at any aquarium supply store.
Step6
Build up one side of the aquarium with the large stones or logs until you create an area that breaks the surface of the water. This area should be large enough to accommodate your turtle comfortably for basking, but should not take up more than about a third of the surface area of the water.
Step7
Assemble and install the filter outside filter. Fill the filter reservoir to help it start flowing.
Step8
Install the submersible heater. Set the heater to keep the water between 77 and 95 degrees F depending on the species of semiaquatic turtle you are keeping.
Step9
Install the thermometer under the water line at the opposite end of the aquarium from the heater. This will ensure that you have a relatively consistent water temperature in the tank and there are no spots that are too cold for your turtle.
Step10
Install the ultraviolet lights. These can be either mounted in the hood of the aquarium, or in a clamp light mounted above and pointed down to shine into the tank. These lights should be focused over the basking area, but full-tank coverage is best.
Step11
Introduce your turtle to his new home by placing him on the dry basking area. Once he is acclimated to the air temperature and new environment, he will then move himself into the water when he is ready.