Red Eared Slider Tank Building Made Easy

Things That Are Needed in Your Red Eared Slider’s Tank

When putting together your red eared slider tank, you should know the proper equipment that is required. Its tank, or aquarium, should be anywhere from 20 to 50 gallons to start, depending upon its size and needs. As a rule of thumb, it’s actually best to have about ten gallons of water per inch of turtle. For instance, an eight inch turtle should be in an eighty gallon tank. This is the best size for the optimum health of your red eared slider.

Your turtle’s tank must have water and a “land” area. Make sure the water is deep enough that the turtle can be submersed completely. Keep in mind that your red eared slider is aquatic and spends much of its time in the water. But because your turtle cannot breathe under water, it need a land area to rest on. Do not use organic materials, but stick to things like rocks for the land area. If you include things like wood chips, your turtle may eat them (which is bad for its health) or they may rot and grow fungus.

One option for keeping the water clean is a filtering system. You will need to check your turtle’s water to ensure that it is clean if you do not use a filtering system. Leaving too much of your turtle’s waste in the tank can make it unhealthy and sick.

If you do use a filtration system, be sure that it does not suck in the water too hard. Your turtle can drown if it gets caught in the filtration system and stays submerged for too long.

Finding The Right Temperature For Your Red Eared Slider Tank

You need to make sure you are keeping your red eared slider tank at the right temperature. Keeping your indoor red eared slider warm is important. 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature at which to keep your turtle. Lowering the temperature 5 to 10 degrees at night is also an option. A heat lamp is a good way to keep the tank at the right temperature.

You should know that sudden shifts in temperature are bad for your red eared slider. This can result when a turtle is moved from outdoor to indoor or vice versa. Because turtles are cold-blooded, they can be sensitive to rapid environmental changes. Check out the link below for more information on how to build a red eared slider tank and other red eared slider information.

Byron Joseph is a recognized expert in the field of raising red eared sliders and has owned them for over thirty years. For more information on building a red eared slider tank, see the link above. For a complete, comprehensive resource that covers every aspect of caring for your turtle, check out www.turtlecaresite.com. You’ll find that it is the one resource you cannot do without.