Pet Turtle Care: How to Design a Turtle Terrarium

A turtle terrarium is ideal if you want to show off your pet and decorate your house at the same time. You will be providing your turtle a habitat, and adding to the natural feel of your home.

Step 1: Get a tank

You will need to get a tank large enough to accommodate your turtle when it reaches its maturity. The minimum turtle terrarium dimensions should be 3-4 times the length of the turtle, twice the length of the turtle in width, and 1.5-2 times the length of the turtle in height. Add 8-12 inches above the highest level the turtle can reach inside the tank so it cannot escape.

If you have more than one turtle, increase the tank dimensions by 40-60% per turtle.

The tank for your turtle terrarium should preferably be Plexiglas, since regular glass produces glare.

Step 2: Prepare the water and land area

Try not to obstruct the water area so that the turtle can swim freely and not bump into or be stuck on decorations. Place the decorations along the corners instead, covering other turtle terrarium equipment like filters.

Turtles love to bask, so they will need land area to rest on. This can be made of acrylic, glass, thick wood, plastic, or a large stone. Anchor the land area above water level, with a ramp sloped so the turtle can climb on.

Avoid sharp edges or decorations that will block the turtle's path. Also, do not use gravel or other materials that are less than 2 centimeters in diameter.

Step 3: Make sure the water you use is clean

Turtles spend a lot of their time in the water. It is where they swim, eat, drink, and release their waste. Over time, the water will become dirty, and this will make the turtle susceptible to diseases if left unchanged.

Changing the tank water in a turtle terrarium is a tedious job, and is recommended to be done every 45 days, at least. To keep the water clean between each change, you can use a water filtration system instead.

You can also add a teaspoon of salt in every 4-5 liters of water to prevent harmful bacteria, and shell and skin diseases.

Step 4: Decorate the tank

Make the turtle's habitat a bit more homely by adding decorations to it instead of leaving it bare.

Remember to wash and sterilize things you pick up from the road before you put them in the tank. Do not add decorations that are sharp, pointed, or so small that the turtle can swallow them.

You can add commercial decorations, driftwood, gravel, plants, shells, and stones to your turtle terrarium.

Step 5: Provide proper lighting

Turtles also love to bask, which is why you will need to fit a heating or basking light onto the tank. There are several basking lights available in stores. When you install the lights, make sure they focus on the land area where the turtle will rest.

Aside from heat, turtles also need UV light rays for their calcium metabolization. UV lamps are also available in stores.

Step 6: Situate the tank in a convenient corner

Do not place the tank beside a window. Even though turtles need natural sunlight, windowpane glasses filter 95% of the UV rays. Exposing the tank water to direct sunlight will also cause algae to grow faster, which means you will have to change the water more frequently.

After you have followed those simple steps, your turtle terrarium is now ready. But before you put in your turtle, test the environment first by letting small fish live in the water for a while. This is to check if the water is clean and free of diseases. If all is OK, you can set your turtle inside the tank.

Pet Turtle Care: Making A Reptile Terrarium for Your Pet Turtle

Pet Turtle Care

A reptile terrarium suitable for an aquatic turtle can be made from an aquarium by adding about six inches of water and making a land area above the water. The land area can be built up from rocks or suitable aquarium decorations and should have a reptile lamp above it to provide heat.

Setting up the Terrarium

The Tank

Make sure you buy an aquarium that is big enough. At least a forty gallon tank is required for an adult turtle. Add about six inches of chlorine and chloramine free water and set up a filter and aquarium heater. External filters are preferable, as turtles can be remarkably curious and may cause themselves damage by investigating an internal heater. In addition turtles produce a great deal of waste so a powerful filter is needed. Hide the heater under some rocks to keep it out of harm''s way. It may not respond so rapidly to changes in temperature but that is preferable to causing distress or injury to your pet.

Use a water treatment solution sold in aquarium shops to remove both chlorine and chloramine which are added to water by your water authority. Turtles may eat sand or gravel so do not use these on the bottom of the tank and it will be easier to clean the glass bottom.

You can place a few artificial plants in the swimming area but avoid adding too many or your turtle will not have room to swim around. Do not use live plants as the turtle will eat them. To be healthy you need to make sure the water is clean so ensure the filter works correctly and clean the tank weekly.

The Land Area

The land area can be made from artificial rocks or decorations from a terrarium supply shop or use well cleaned rocks or bricks. An area where the turtle can hide is also needed so make a small artificial cave from rocks, wood or artificial terrarium decorations. Keep the temperature around 80F in the daytime cooling down to around 79F during the night.

Lighting

Attach both a UVB lamp and a full spectrum lamp to the lid. Turtles need UVB radiation in order to keep their bones and shell in good condition. UVB lamps are expensive and generally last only around six months but they are necessary to keep your turtle healthy. Turtles also need sunlight for at least twelve hours a day. You can also provide a basking lamp above the land area.

Aquarium lids are not really suitable as you need to attach the lamp to the lid. A plank of wood, suitable painted on the outside only can be use instead.

Turtles will also need a source of fresh water so place a small pan of water in the land area. You might think there is enough water around but the turtle will soon foul the swimming area!

Feeding Your Turtle

Commercially prepared turtle sticks can be used to feed your turtle. Mix in fruit and vegetables occasionally for variety . You can also give your pet leafy vegetables such as alfalfa, clover, lettuce and cabbage and an assortment of berries. Do not overfeed and remove any uneaten food before it starts to rot.