Terrarium for freshwater turtles

Terrarium equipment should be dealt with before purchasing a turtle. When you bring your pet home, the terrarium should already be prepared for settlement. To do this, you will need a set of equipment and the terrarium itself, which must be selected in accordance with the variety and size of your pet.

As a rule, aquaterrariums are the most popular, the back wall of which is higher than the front, as this provides a good overview. The dimensions of the terrarium depend on the size and number of turtles that will live in it. The optimal dimensions of the aquarium for one freshwater turtle: 76x38x37cm. Total volume of the terrarium: 80 liters (recommended volume of water is about 35 liters).

Along with a terrarium for keeping a freshwater turtle, you will need:

• an island (the turtle will come out on land from time to time to rest and warm up),

• point light source (LED lamp),

• powerful filter to eliminate dirt, cloudiness and unpleasant odors,

• heater,

• decorative elements (plants, flat stones, etc.).

An island is a dry area in a terrarium, which should be spacious enough and have a gentle shore so that the turtle can easily climb onto it. Many modern models of turtle islands have special indentations for food, which is very convenient in practice. If you plan to have two or more turtles, then you will also need several islands so that each pet has enough space on land. Often, special large, stable stones with a flat surface, towering above the water, are used as islands.  

An LED lamp is installed above the part of the land, which provides the necessary level of illumination and under which the turtle will warm up. Do not install the lamp too close to the surface of the land, so that the turtle does not get burned. The optimal distance from the lamp to the island: 20-30 cm.

It is advisable to choose a three-stage filter, as it provides the most effective water purification from natural contaminants and food residues and allows you to maintain cleanliness in the terrarium for a long time. Special cartridges are selected for the filter (or come in the same kit with it), each of which lasts from 2 to 4 weeks, after which it is replaced with a new one. The filter model is selected depending on the volume of the aquarium, the number of pets and the intensity of water pollution.

As for heaters for aquaterrariums, they are usually pre-set to +25? C. Lightweight and compact, the heaters are easy to use, fit perfectly into the overall design of the terrarium and allow you to regularly maintain the optimal water temperature for the turtle.

Decorations for an aquaterrarium are not only decoration, but also a cozy shelter for your pets. Artificial plants are used as decorations for the freshwater turtle’s dwelling (living turtle plants are uprooted and used as food). Such plants can be floating or attached to the walls of the terrarium and the surface of stones. Among the huge number of ornamental plants for terrariums presented in modern pet stores, you can easily select options to your taste that will effectively decorate your home living area.

Smooth pebbles are best used as substrate in a freshwater turtle aquarium.

When furnishing a home for a pet, give preference to trusted brands. The vast majority of turtle diseases are associated with adverse conditions. Therefore, it is very important to choose high-quality, efficient equipment that will allow you to maintain optimal environmental parameters for your turtle.