Habitat Setup

Prodiving a good habitat for baby red eared slider isn't easy. This guide will show you how to set up a good habitat for your baby RES.

Requirements

Tank, basking area, UVB lamp, fliter, and heater.

Choosing a tank/aquarium

You want a tank that will last throughout the baby red eared slider's lifetime. To save money from buying bigger tank when it gets bigger, I would recommend you buying a tank at least 100 - 120 gallon. You can use an aquarium minimal of 50 gallons. The is based on a guideline which is 10 gallons of water per each inch of shell length. If you can't afford a tank that size, you can use a plastic storage box like Rubbermaid. You can get those from Wal Mart or almost any stores.

Water Depth

As much as the tank/habitat allows. The depth of the water should not be lower than 10 inch. Please remember that the water is not too high for the turtles will escape.

Filter

Filter is very important. You want to get a good filter that will clean your tank very well. Clean water is very important, baby RES can get more sick easier than adults. RES are messy eaters and will release solid and liquid waste into the water which make the tank water murky.

Basking Area

Basking area is a dry land that RES can get into and bask. Res need to bask in order to prevent rotted shell and to be healthy. Basking area can be a log, a large rock, or a plastic basking area from stores. Make sure the turtles can easily get on the land and easily get off the land. Check if there is any sharp spot on the land. This will cause injuries to the turtle.

UVB Lighting

Turtles are cold blooded animals and need the sunlight to keep warm. If you can't provide your turtles to natural sunlight, you can use artificial lamp that provide UVB and UVA. Not only does this keep them warm, it also dry the shell to prevent fungus, and help the shell grow.

Heater

The water temperature should be around 75F to 80F. If you live in a place where the weather is topical, you don't need to worry. If you live in a place where the weather can get very cold, you'll need a heater. Turtles can get sick if the water is too cold for too long. Also be sure to have a thermometer to check the temperature.

Hiding/Shelter Place

This is an option but recommended. Turtle sometime gets stressed out and need a place to hide. The place can be as simple as something like a flower pot. Just make sure the place is strong and has nothing that will harm the turtle. You can also use aqua plants like duckweed, water lily, etc. Just make sure they aren't poisonous.

Safetly Tips

1. Try not to use gravels because the turtles will think they are food and this will cause major problems to the turtle's health. This also help build up bacteria from all the wastes and food.
2. Make sure the habitat is turtle-proof. Check for small space that turtles can get stuck.
3. Make sure the decorations doesn't have sharp edges.
4. Please sterilizate anything you find at the park, street, roads, beach, etc before you put into the tank.

If you have questions or need more info, please visit the Fourm

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