Reptile Fluorescent Lighting

March 9th, 2010 | Published in Reptiles

Red - Eared Sliders Tank - Housing Requirements

Red-eared Sliders are one of the species of turtles most commonly kept as pets, so we do well to focus on how to meet the requirements that this breed has. In this article I want to focus on their housing/habitat needs-and in particular what comprises an ideal Red-eared Slider tank. Contrary to the mistaken notion some people have, these turtles cannot simply be kept in a fishbowl. They are, after all, semi-aquatic animals. For this same reason, although they breathe air and dwell on land part time they cannot be kept in a box without water to swim in.

An outdoor pond in your back yard makes an ideal habitat for these turtles, that is, if you live in the southern part of the United States where Red-eared Sliders naturally live in the wild-but for most pet-owners, a rectangular glass aquarium kept in the house is more practical. You can regulate the temperature year-round and also observe their antics close up through the glass walls. Glass tanks are preferable over plastic tanks for two reasons. One: like most turtles, this breed has sharp claws which will scratch plastic; two: glass is much easier to clean when you routinely dump out the fouled water and wipe the sides of the aquarium before pouring in fresh water.

Even though a baby turtle will be small, it's best to not buy a small, cheap aquarium. Red-eared Sliders grow rapidly during their first years and while some do not grow much more than 5 inches, some fully-grown adults will measure 10-12 inches in length. It is recommended that you have a minimum of a 30-gallon tank for a 5-inch adult. A 10-inch adult will require a 55-gallon tank. Bigger is always better, and if you have two or more turtles, you will require a larger tank still.

Since Red-eared Sliders require warm temperatures to turn on their immune system and stay healthy, it is vital that you maintain a water temperature of 75-86 degrees F. (20-29 degrees C.). The easiest and most practical method of maintaining a stable temperature is to use a submersible heater. Such heaters have a built-in thermostat which you simply set to a certain temperature.

The tank top should ideally be designed so as not to obstruct too much natural light from entering the tank. There are a variety of designs, and some tank tops come with a fluorescent Reptile Light already attached. A full spectrum ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB) is important if the tank is not in a place where it can get enough natural light. Sliders must have sufficient UV rays to enable them to properly process the nutrients in their food. (Note: it is not good to have the turtle's tank exposed to direct sunlight as overheating will result.)

It's vital that you have a good filtration system. Your turtle will pass urine and feces directly into the water he swims in, and since this will increase the bacteria count in the water, this has a direct and adverse effect on the health of your pet. A good filtration system will filter out these pollutants and will also mean that you won't have to do a complete cleaning of your turtle tank as often. (A tank with no filter must be have the water drained and be cleaned weekly.) As for what kind of filtration system, most turtle owners recommend a Fluval 403 filter.

Turtles require a basking area up out of their swimming water where they can bask and soak up the heat of the lamp. A pile of flat stones is commonly used. A cork bark "raft" or piece of driftwood also works. The temperature of the basking area should be 85-90 degrees F. near the fluorescent bulb.

It is fine to put decorative plants in your turtle tank; just be aware that your pet may attempt to eat them. For this reason, be sure that the plants you choose are not poisonous to turtles. Plastic plants are also not advised, as your pet may attempt to eat those as well. As for gravel, make sure that the stones are not small enough for the turtle to swallow.

About the Author

Todd is a Pet Turtle enthusiast. His passion is to make sure all pet turtles are well taken cared for by their owners. For more information visit on Red Eared Slider Tank, visit http://www.TurtleCareRedEaredSlider.com