Turtles are just like any other pet animals – they need a home that is set up like their natural habitats. Setting up your turtle aquariums is one of the essential preparations that you need to carry out before acquiring your first pets. Since different species of turtles have different requirements, there are different turtle aquariums that will suit each type.
Material
Turtle aquariums are usually made of plastic. A ten-gallon tank will do just fine if you have only one turtle to take care of. Naturally, you will want to get a bigger tank if you’re thinking of getting two or more pets at the same time. Remember that turtles will want ample space to move around in. Turtle aquariums should not be completely filled with water either. One portion of the tank should be used as a basking area where the turtle can take a break from swimming around every once in a while. About a third of the floor space is usually provided for this purpose. In most cases, the floor surface of the turtle aquariums are inclined to keep water on one side of the tank. You will also want to avoid placing aquarium gravel on your tank’s floor as your pets can accidentally eat it and grow sick.
Another alternative for a basking area can come in the form of a large rock that your turtles can climb onto. It’s important to make sure that the basking area in your turtle aquariums is kept dry so always check on the tank’s water level.
Maintenance
You will need to make sure that your turtle aquariums are cleaned regularly. Water must be filtered so you can easily maintain it. Many turtle enthusiasts use canister filters or those that are normally used for tropical fish aquariums. However, don’t rely too much on your filters to keep your turtle aquariums clean. You will still need to allot some time once a week to clean the whole tank and the filters.
You will also want to use dechlorinated water or natural spring water in your tank. Avoid placing tap water as this can lead to various health problems due to its chlorine component.
Temperature and light
If you have to put your turtle aquariums indoors, make sure to install them in an area where the lighting doesn’t change a lot. You may need to invest on a sun lamp so your pets can comfortably bask in the heat that is important for the development of their shells. A word of caution: make sure not to leave the UV lamp on the turtle aquariums for too long as the water can get too hot.
The temperature in the turtle aquariums should also be regulated. Remember that turtles are cold-blooded animals and their body temperature is dependent on their environment. During the day, your tank’s temperature should be eighty degrees Fahrenheit on the average. Aquarium thermometers are available at the local pet store so you can easily monitor temperature changes in your turtle aquariums.
Pet Turtle Care Tip #1
Turtles are members of the Reptile family and they are some of the oldest living creatures on the planet. They have been around for more than two hundred million years. This makes them as old as the dinosaurs. There are hundreds of different kinds of turtles all over the planet.
Pet Turtle Care Tip #2
Sea turtles are the most popular of all of the turtles. These are also some of the largest creatures—some sea turtles can grow to more than six feet in length and weigh hundreds of pounds. Scientists think that sea turtles are actually land creatures that went back into the water and never came out. Over time their limbs evolved to make them stronger swimmers and to keep them in the water: their front appendages are actually flippers.
Pet Turtle Care Tip #3
All turtles, even sea turtles, are air breathing creatures. While some turtles can stay under the water for hours at a time, they all must surface at least once a day to stay alive. There is one turtle, the giant turtle that only has to surface once a day to take in air. There are some studies being done to see if some species of turtle might be able to draw oxygen from their cells much like some fish use their gills to breathe.
