Arrangement of an aquarium for a red-eared turtle (equipment and decoration)

In nature, red-eared turtles live along the shores of lakes and rivers in subtropical and temperate climates. Therefore, for the home maintenance of this heat-loving reptile, it is necessary to properly equip an aquarium (aquaterrarium) with suitable conditions.

Aquaterrarium dimensions

The arrangement of an aquarium for turtles begins with its purchase. A common mistake novice breeders make is choosing a small aquarium (up to 50 liters). Such a container is well suited as a first home for very small individuals, but they will grow very quickly and the aquarium will soon have to be replaced. For a grown reptile with a shell size of 10-15 cm, it is recommended to buy an aquarium of at least 100 liters. For a pair of animals, it is better to purchase a container of 150-200 liters. Red-eared turtles are very mobile, swim a lot, and also like to lie on the bottom for a long time. Therefore, the water level should be at least 40 cm – with a large volume of water, it will become more slowly polluted and less likely to require replacement. The height of the aquarium does not have to be high, but too low sides can cause the reptile to escape. It is better if a reserve of 15-20 cm remains above the water level, then the mobile turtle will not be able to get over the wall.

IMPORTANT: If the height of the sides is insufficient, you can keep the turtle with less water. But it is necessary to ensure that the water level slightly exceeds the width of the animal’s shell.

In order for the turtle not to catch a cold, you need to maintain a certain temperature regime. It is desirable that the water temperature does not fall below 25-28 degrees. To do this, you need to purchase a water heater and place it at the bottom. Pet stores offer convenient options in the form of flexible cords that are easy to hide under a layer of soil. Such a device will not interfere with swimming and spoil the appearance of the aquarium, and the reptile will not be able to bite or damage the hidden cord.

Soil selection

It should be comfortable for the turtle to move along the bottom and push off from it. The soil must also not accumulate pollution, emit harmful substances or pose another health hazard to the pet. Therefore, it is not recommended to use sand or peat – it is difficult to wash them with high quality, in such material the paws of the animal will be tied. Small pebbles or glass beads are much more convenient to care for, but an adult easily swallows their particles. Natural large pebbles, artificial granules or special mineral blocks that additionally saturate the water with calcium are best suited.

Lighting installation

It is impossible to properly equip an aquarium for a red-eared turtle without installing two types of lighting. The main function of an incandescent lamp is to heat the land area (island) where the animal is selected after eating. For the digestion process, the reptile needs an air temperature of at least 28-33 degrees, otherwise the metabolism slows down. When the temperature drops below 20 degrees, the animal can become seriously ill. To ensure suitable conditions, you will need a 60-75 W incandescent lamp, which must be placed directly above the island. Clothespin lamps are well suited, which are conveniently fixed on the side of the aquarium.

For keeping a turtle at home, the presence of an ultraviolet lamp is crucial. Without the opportunity to bask in the sun, the reptile quickly weakens and becomes vulnerable to disease, and the inability to absorb calcium due to a lack of vitamin D leads to the development of rickets. To avoid these consequences, you need to install a special UV lamp, which turns on daily for several hours. It is important to remember that reptiles quickly overheat, so the aquarium must have a shaded corner where the temperature does not exceed 25 degrees.

IMPORTANT: When purchasing a UV lamp, you need to pay attention to the type of radiation. Only UVB and UVA rays are suitable for reptiles, a UVC labeled lamp can burn a turtle’s retina, making it blind.

Filters and aeration

Red-eared turtles quickly pollute the water with waste products and protein food residues, which begin to deteriorate at high temperatures under lamps. To avoid water pollution, it is required to equip the aquarium for the red-eared turtle with a special filter. Pet stores offer two types of devices:

Filtering equipment for an aquarium uses different types of cleaning, the most common is mechanical – water is driven through a sponge, which traps particles of contaminants. Much more effective is the method of purification that uses the reproduction of bacteria – they feed on organic residues and at the same time enrich the water with useful compounds. Oxygen is required for the vital activity of bacterial colonies, therefore, a water aeration device must be installed in the aquaterrarium. Most external biofilters already have a built-in aeration function.

Island

The aquarium complex for the red-eared turtle must necessarily include land areas. Reptiles spend part of their time daily on the shore, basking under the lamps – this is how the process of digesting food occurs. To properly equip the aquarium, you will need to purchase a special island or attach a shelf with a gentle slope to the water.

It is necessary to install these devices so that at least 25-30 cm remain to the edge of the sides, then the animal will not be able to get out.

The size of the land depends on the number of individuals kept, but the minimum volume should be 25-30% of the total aquarium area. It is better to place several islands, make them different in height, place one under the lamp and the other in the shade. The surface of the islands must be rough, with irregularities, otherwise the turtles will slip and will not be able to rise from the water.

How to decorate an aquarium

Making an aquarium for a red-eared turtle is not limited to installing the necessary equipment. In addition to functional devices, there are many decorative items that will help create a special atmosphere in your pet’s home.

Beautiful snags are placed at the bottom or installed in the form of an additional island, algae and creepers made of plastic or silk look good in water and on land. The soil is decorated with shells, starfish and transparent colored glass granules. An unusual grotto island can be made with your own hands by folding a semblance of an arch from flat large pebbles.

IMPORTANT: Additional accessories will help decorate the aquarium and give it a spectacular appearance. But be aware that many materials can pose a health hazard to reptiles or release toxic substances. You can not use objects with sharp edges, fragile walls as decorations – the turtle can bite off a piece or get hurt. For this reason, it is not recommended to place artificial plants, accessories made of thin glass or plastic, or small shells in an aquaterrarium with adults.

Video: aquarium design and equipment