A turtle aquarium can be a beautiful addition to a home
if set up properly. Normally, an aquarium would consist of water and land for
your pet turtle. All these elements symbolize the constant flow of water, or
luck, into your home; the sturdiness of land; and long life, as represented by
the turtle.
To obtain a presentable turtle aquarium, you will need the following:
- a tank
- clean water
- decorations no smaller than 2 cm in diameter
- land area
- basking lights
- water filtration system
First, you will start with the tank or the aquarium. Make sure that the tank
can hold the size of your turtle when it reaches maturity. This will keep you
from buying a new tank every year. Also, get a tank that is made of strong
material like Fiberglas. Tanks made of thin glass can break easily under strong
water pressure.
Once you have a tank, clean it well before you start decorating it. You can
then add the land area, which can be made of materials such as acrylic, glass,
thick wood, plastic, or stone. You can either slope it or place a ramp where the
turtle can climb on. This is the place where the turtle can bask.
If you add decorations, clean them first before you put them in. Make sure
they are not made of poisonous material or sprayed with insecticides. Try not to
place them in the middle of the tank, around the turtle’s water area, or in
corners where the turtle could get stuck if it passes through. Do not use
materials smaller than the turtle’s mouth, or else the turtle will swallow it.
Additionally, do not put sharp or pointed objects in the turtle aquarium.
The water in the tank should be clean. Since turtles are messy animals, you
will need to change the water every 45 days or so. Use a water-filtration
system, which can help clean the water, and give you more time between water
changes. To prevent bad bacteria and shell and skin diseases on your pet, add a
teaspoon of salt for every 4-5 liters of water you put in the turtle
aquarium.
After the water and land areas are in place, you can add the lights. Turtles
need heat and UV rays for calcium metabolization. You can get the proper basking
lights and other reptile lamps in stores. Although turtles need natural
sunlight, do not place the turtle aquarium directly under the sun because this
can cause faster algae growth. Besides, the glass on windows filters 95% of the
UV rays. Your turtle will hardly get anything.
Place the turtle aquarium in a convenient corner in your home, preferably
near electrical sockets for the lights and water filters. But also make sure
that in case of water accidents, the sockets will not get in the way.
You are now ready to add in your turtle. A turtle aquarium is not hard to set
up. You will just need to be patient and vigilant of whatever you incorporate
into the turtle’s new habitat.
