How To Design A Turtle Terrarium

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.

Learn everything you need to know about Turtle Tanks and turtle care at this new website: www.TurtleTanks.Org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Vidrow

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Caring for Pet Turtles

Turtles are quickly becoming a common pet to keep. However, if you've never cared for one, there are a few things you need to know to ensure it stays healthy. This article will give you a few tips on caring for pet turtles.

Water

It's important that you don't use regular tap water in your turtle tank. Tap water has chlorine and fluoride which will cause problems with your turtle's pH balance. Instead, your turtle only needs to drink natural spring water. You can use de-chlorinated water for the swimming section of the enclosure.

Tank

The enclosure that you use for your pet turtle needs to be at least 40 gallons. You will need to setup two distinct areas inside the tank. There needs to be a water area and a land area.

Substrate

Your turtle's tank will need some type of substrate. There are different types that you can use. Newspaper is a convenient solution since it's very cheap and easy to clean up. Make sure you don't use a substrate that will cause problems if ingested like wood chips.

Light

You will need to invest in a UV light when caring for pet turtles. If you don't, your turtle won't be able to generate its own vitamin D and may develop various health problems. Turtles bask in the sun which helps them make their own vitamin D.

Hiding

Turtles need to be provided with a hiding spot. This way, they'll have a safe place to go when they don't feel safe. You can make a hiding box out of wood or simply use a shoe box.

Heat

It's also important that you provide your pet turtle with heat. There should be a sun lamp and suitable location for your turtle to bask. The temperature inside the enclosure should be about 70 degrees at night and 80 during the day.

Bacteria

Many turtles carrying around bacteria in their mouths. This bacteria can cause problems with you if you're not careful. Therefore, make sure you always wash your hands after you touch your turtle or anything in his enclosure.

These are a few tips on caring for pet turtles. Make sure you buy a tank that's large enough to hold a land and water area. Also, never give your turtle tap water to drink because the fluoride and chlorine can upset his pH balance. There also need to be hiding areas so your pet can feel safe.

by Edison Chase

Pet Painted Turtle Care - Painted Turtle Care Made Simple and Fun

Pet Painted Turtle care can be simple and fun if you have the right knowledge and equipment.

My family and I keep painted turtles as pets and it has been a great experience for us. A little research can go a long way in providing proper pet Painted Turtle care. Read on to get started in the right direction.

All Painted Turtles are aquatic which means they spend a good deal of their time in the water. Its very important that the turtles have enough water in which to swim. A large plastic tub works great as do decent sized aquariums. A shallow dish of water just is not enough.

The water must be at the correct temperature and can be heated by an aquarium type heater.

The water also must be filtered. (Turtles are messy eaters and big poopers). A good filter will be necessary to keep the water clean. Frequent water changes are also a good idea. We change out a third to a half of the water in our turtle tank twice a week.

Besides water to swim in your pets also need a place to get out of the water and dry off and to "bask" under a UV lamp.

A stack of rocks that is easy for the turtles to climb on can work for this basking area.

Another easy way to provide a dry spot for your pets is to buy one of the many "turtle ramps" that are available at pet stores or on-line. We use one that attaches to the side of the tank with big suction cups. It is easy for the turtles to climb on and it is very easy to clean.

UV lighting is absolutely necessary for good pet painted turtle care. In the wild they get this from the sun. That is why you see painted turtles sitting (basking) on logs on sunny days. They also love heat and the basking surface in you turtle tank/enclosure should have a temperature of between 90 and 95 degrees F.

Keeping turtles doesn't have to be difficult. It can be simple and fun...with a little research and some good information you'll be well on your way. My family and I keep painted turtles as pets and they have been a wonderful and fun addition to our household.

For even more information: Pet Painted Turtle Care!

There are many good resources available on-line regarding the care of pet turtles. It's important to have the right info in order to keep your turtles happy and healthy. Having the correct knowledge could save your turtle's life!

by Matt Maldanado