Water temperature for red-eared turtles in an aquarium, how many degrees are optimal?

The optimal water temperature in the aquarium for comfortable keeping of the red-eared turtle at home Curious, but sedentary aquatic turtles love to bask in the warm rays of the sun on the shore after the next swim.

To maintain activity and strengthen the immune system, the red-eared pet requires comfortable temperature conditions.

Let’s figure out what temperature is optimal when keeping a turtle at home, and what methods allow you to maintain it.

Temperature limits

For a red-eared turtle living in an aquarium, it is important to maintain a comfortable temperature of the water and land. In the absence of balance, the pet is threatened with:

1. Growth retardation and the development of diseases associated with a decrease in activity. This situation occurs when the water is too hot, forcing the turtles to get ashore more often.
2. Lethargy and loss of appetite. Cold water (10-15°), which slows down all internal processes, drives the reptiles into hibernation.

IMPORTANT! Temperatures above 40°C are fatal for turtles, so keep a special thermometer in the aquarium to avoid overheating.

In the wild, red-eared turtles live in the tropical zone, so they prefer warm temperatures not only on land, but also in water:

• the temperature on the island used by reptiles for rest and warming up should be at least 23 degrees in the shade and no more than 32 degrees in the light;
• the optimal water temperature, the remaining activity of pets, should be from 22 to 28 degrees.

Special equipment

Far from the wild, temperature conditions will have to be created artificially with the help of special equipment. To maintain a comfortable temperature you will need:

• UV lamp and sushi heating lamp; • 100 W water heater (power is relevant for aquariums with a volume of 100 l and increases with increasing volume); • thermometer.

IMPORTANT! The interior equipment is only suitable for a small turtle. Equipment intended for adults is placed on the outside to avoid damage from powerful jaws or carapace shields.

The UV lamp normalizes the absorption of calcium and vitamin D, and also prevents the development of rickets, which prevents the proper development of bones. The lamp is placed at a distance of 40 cm from the turtle and is changed 2 times a year with a reduction in power.

IMPORTANT! A special timer will help to avoid overheating, turning off the lamps after the recommended time (10-12 hours).

Heating water for turtles with a heater is the easiest and most effective way to maintain the optimum temperature in the aquarium. It has no reliable analogues. Alternatives are valid only in 2 situations:

• temporary power outage;
• The heater has failed and needs to be replaced immediately.

For a turtle left in an aquarium without a heater, you can maintain a comfortable water temperature in the following ways:

1. Adding warm water. It is permissible to add no more than 20%. Do not use tap water containing chlorine. Be sure to boil the water for your pet’s safety.
2. Use of a table lamp. Move the lamp closer to the aquarium and point the lamp at the glass, pointing the light beam at the area below the water level.

Please note that these solutions are only valid as a temporary replacement and do not cancel the purchase of a new heater in the event of a breakdown.

For a turtle to feel well, temperature stability is important, so be sure to have all the necessary attributes for keeping it before making a purchase.