Things That Are Needed in Your Red Eared Slider's Tank

You have to know what equipment you'll need when building your red eared slider tank. To start, your turtle's tank should be from 25 to 50 gallons, depending on the size of your turtle. A good rule of thumb to follow is to have ten gallons of water per inch of turtle. For example, if you have a seven inch turtle you should count on a seventy gallon tank. Following this rule will ensure that you are giving your turtle enough room and will help it be its healthiest.

Your turtle's tank must have water and a "land" area. Make sure the water is deep enough that the turtle can be submersed completely. Keep in mind that your red eared slider is aquatic and spends much of its time in the water. But because your turtle cannot breathe under water, it need a land area to rest on. Do not use organic materials, but stick to things like rocks for the land area. If you include things like wood chips, your turtle may eat them (which is bad for its health) or they may rot and grow fungus.

A filtering system is optional for keeping the water clean. If you do not use one, you will need to keep an eye on your turtle's water to make sure it stays clean. Remember that excess turtle waste left in the tank can make your turtle sick.

As a cautionary note, it is important to keep in mind that if you do have an automatic filtration system, it is not set to suck in water too hard. If your turtle gets caught in the system and stays submerged for too long, it can drown.

The Right Temperature Inside Your Red Eared Slider Tank

It is important to have the right temperature inside your red eared slider tank. One thing that is important for your indoor pet turtle is to try to keep it warm. Ideally, their surroundings should be kept at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. You can lower the temperature 5-10 degrees at night. You should use a heat lamp to keep the tank at an ideal temperature.

As a side note, you should be careful about sudden shifts in temperature for your red eared slider. This is normally the result of moving the turtle from indoor to outdoor, or vice versa. Turtles are cold-blooded reptiles and can be very sensitive to sudden shifts in their environment. For more great information on how to build an ideal red eared slider tank, check out the link above.

Byron Joseph is a recognized expert in the field of raising red eared sliders and has owned them for over three decades. For more information on building a red eared slider tank, see the link above. For a great, comprehensive resource that covers every aspect of caring for your turtle, check out www.turtlecaresite.com. You'll find that it is the one resource you cannot do without.

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Written by Byron Joseph using tags: animals, home and family, Pets, red eared slider tank, red eared slider turtles, red eared sliders, reptiles, turtles