Caring for the red-eared turtle

1. Before you get a red-eared turtle, read in detail the information about the species and conditions of detention, as well as evaluate the associated costs. If possible, talk to the breeders or owners of turtles, let them tell you more about their pets and share their own experiences. Keep in mind that the initially tiny red-eared slider turtle grows up to 30 cm in length as an adult and can live up to 30 years or more in good conditions. So, despite the unpretentiousness, the turtle is a serious pet that will spend a long period of life with you, and this must be taken into account. 

2. Buy equipment to keep your turtle. It is wrong to believe that one aquarium will be enough. The basic kit for a pet consists of a spacious aquarium, an island with a gentle slope, a water heater (100 watts), a heating lamp, a UV lamp for aquatic turtles, a filter and a thermometer with which you can control the temperature of air and water.

3. Turtle aquarium should be spacious. During the first year of life, the turtle will do well in an aquarium with a capacity of 150 liters or more, but for an adult turtle, you will need an aquarium with a capacity of 450 liters or more. Free space is necessary for turtles to be healthy, while lack of space will lead to developmental disturbances and conflicts over territory (if you have several turtles). The more turtles you have, the more you need an aquarium. The optimal calculation of space: the width of the aquarium is at least three shell lengths, and the length is at least 6, per turtle. It is not recommended to keep females and males in the same aquarium, as well as individuals of different ages and species. Such neighbors will experience constant stress and conflict with each other.

4. The depth of the water in the aquarium should be such that the turtle, standing on its hind legs, can stick its head out of the water. By no means smaller. Deeper – you can, but then the bottom of the aquarium will need to be partially laid out with large stones so that the turtle can stand on them.

5. An island of land should occupy approximately 25% of the aquarium space. Red-eared turtles are aquatic, and they need the opportunity to get out on land to bask under the lamp and rest. The coast of the island of land should be gentle so that the turtle can easily climb on it and leave it.

6. Lamps in the aquarium are placed above the land in such a way that their light falls on the resting turtle. Optimum distance between land and lamps: 20 cm. Lamps should work throughout the day. Make sure that the turtle cannot reach them, otherwise it will get burned. To keep a pet, you will need an ordinary incandescent lamp (necessary for heating and proper digestion of food) and a UV lamp (necessary for the absorption of calcium).

7. Optimum water temperature in an aquarium with a red-eared turtle: 25-27 °C. The temperature must be constantly monitored with an accurate thermometer.

8. Change the water in the aquarium 1-2 times a week. Water replacement should be partial, about 1/3, so as not to disturb the established microflora of the aquarium. Use only settled tap water (to stand for at least 2 days) or water prepared with special products (for example, Tetra ReptoSafe – water conditioner for treating water turtles). To quickly clean the water in the aquarium and remove unpleasant odors, you can also use special products (for example, Tetra ReptoFresh).

9. A good filter is essential to keep the aquarium clean. Filters come in different types and are selected according to the volume of your aquarium and the number of its inhabitants.

10. Be careful with decorations. Soil and stones are not necessary for the turtle, but if you want to decorate the aquarium, you should choose large decorations that the pet cannot swallow. 

And one more, additional point. Love your pets and treat them responsibly, because your knowledge, care and attention is the main guarantee of their well-being!