How to Care for a Turtle and Set Up a Turtle Tank

A turtle set-up reflects its natural habitat.

Creating a turtle's habitat must reflect its natural surroundings to ensure good health of your pet. The tank size depends on the size that your species of turtle will grow to. Long tanks are used to allow enough room for basking and swimming areas. The turtle will grow and remain healthy with proper lighting, temperature, humidity and feeding. Turtles are cold-blooded animals that require specific accommodations and food.

Things You'll Need

• Tank
• Screen top
• Dome light with reptile bulb
• Fluorescent strip light with UV bulb
• Timer
• Temperature/humidity gauge
• Water thermometer
• Filter
• Substrate material
• Under-the-tank heater
• Various rocks and woods
• Medicated sulfa block

Instructions

1. Attach the heater to the bottom of the tank according to the packaging directions. The tank should be 10 to 20 gallons long. Lay down substrate material. Choose from gravel, sand or soil depending on the species needs. Build up the substrate on one side of the tank. This will be the basking area. Slope the substrate in the middle of the tank. This allows the turtle to climb onto the basking area easily.

2. Place the filter in the half of the tank without substrate. Fill this half with water. The water must be deep enough for the turtle to submerge and swim. Add more substrate and water until such depth is achieved. Place the medicated sulfa block into the water. This is a water conditioner that promotes the good health of your turtle.

3. Attach the water thermometer to the tank according to packaging directions. The water temperature is maintained at about 78 degrees F. Partial water changes are done as needed depending on waste. Full water changes should be completed every two weeks.

4. Add plants to the basking area. Artificial and real plants can be used. Add some rocks and driftwood partially submerged into the water. This aids the turtle in entering and exiting the water. Attach the thermometer and humidity gauge to the tank as directed by manufacturer. Humidity levels are generally between 60 to 80 percent, but vary depending on species.

5. Place the screen cover on the tank. Place both lights on top of the screen. Plug the lights in to the timer. Set the timer to allow 10 to 12 hours of nighttime and 12 to 14 hours of daytime light.

6. Feed your turtle as close to the foods it would eat in the wild as possible. Depending on the species, turtles are herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores. Herbivore diets contain 90 percent dark leafy vegetables, 10 percent regular vegetables, and fruits are given sparingly. Carnivore diets consist of 65 to 90 percent meat and the remainder is made up in vegetables. The omnivore turtle eats 50 to 90 percent fruit and vegetables and the remainder in meat products.

Tips & Warnings

• For easier cleaning, do not place substrate under the water.

• Check with your veterinarian for the feeding and humidity needs of specific species.

References

• Pet Education: Turtle and Tortoise Husbandry and Proper Environment
• Doctors Foster and Smith, DVM: How to Create Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Turtle Habitats
• Pet Education: Feeding Recommendations for Turtles and Tortoises