Rule of the thumb, an inch of a Slider needs 10 gallons of water. If you've got a 12inch female, you need at least 120 gallons. We're talking about filtration, lights, substrate, decorations, basking areas and water heaters.
So to start off with, filtration. 25% of water should be changed everyday and a 100% change every week. Get a powerful filter that can be used to full use depending on the size of the tank. Filters should also include biomedias for good bacteria to be produced in the water.
Indoor aquariums need UVA/UVB lights and heat lamps if the temperature is too cold. The UVA/UVB lights are an abosolute necessary for basking. Turtles need to absorb the sunlight, hardening their shells and providing Vitamin D3. These lights should be on for at least 12 hours a day. Too entice basking, a heat lamp is placed over the basking area to increase the temperature. Make sure the lights are around 30centimetres above the basking area.
Gravel should NEVER be used as a substrate. Sliders that accidentally swallow gravel may choke or puncture internal organs. Larger rocks such as river rocks or bricks can be used. Getting a few large rocks are better than many medium sized rocks as it will be easier to clean and leftover food and wastes won't get stuck in between.
Decorations such as aquatic plants, fake or alive can be used. Real plants may be digested, so make sure you don't add a poisonous plant in there. Both kinds of plants may be uprooted from the substrate creating quite a mess. However aquatic plants remove harmful substances like nitrates and oxygenate the water. Shells can be added to make the tank look more attractive, and other aquarium items can be added.
Basking areas should be 1.5 times longer than your Red Eared Slider and should be able to support its weight. They need to dry off COMPLETELY, both carapace and plastron. Platforms, docks, floating logs can be used for basking areas.
Keep a water heater in the tank and keep the water temperature at 24-27degreescelsius. I would say 27degreescelsius is a better choice. The warmer the water, the more a Slider will eat and bask.
Of course there are other advancements that can be made but these are the basic neccesities for an indoor aquarium for Red Eared Sliders.
So to start off with, filtration. 25% of water should be changed everyday and a 100% change every week. Get a powerful filter that can be used to full use depending on the size of the tank. Filters should also include biomedias for good bacteria to be produced in the water.
Indoor aquariums need UVA/UVB lights and heat lamps if the temperature is too cold. The UVA/UVB lights are an abosolute necessary for basking. Turtles need to absorb the sunlight, hardening their shells and providing Vitamin D3. These lights should be on for at least 12 hours a day. Too entice basking, a heat lamp is placed over the basking area to increase the temperature. Make sure the lights are around 30centimetres above the basking area.
Gravel should NEVER be used as a substrate. Sliders that accidentally swallow gravel may choke or puncture internal organs. Larger rocks such as river rocks or bricks can be used. Getting a few large rocks are better than many medium sized rocks as it will be easier to clean and leftover food and wastes won't get stuck in between.
Decorations such as aquatic plants, fake or alive can be used. Real plants may be digested, so make sure you don't add a poisonous plant in there. Both kinds of plants may be uprooted from the substrate creating quite a mess. However aquatic plants remove harmful substances like nitrates and oxygenate the water. Shells can be added to make the tank look more attractive, and other aquarium items can be added.
Basking areas should be 1.5 times longer than your Red Eared Slider and should be able to support its weight. They need to dry off COMPLETELY, both carapace and plastron. Platforms, docks, floating logs can be used for basking areas.
Keep a water heater in the tank and keep the water temperature at 24-27degreescelsius. I would say 27degreescelsius is a better choice. The warmer the water, the more a Slider will eat and bask.
Of course there are other advancements that can be made but these are the basic neccesities for an indoor aquarium for Red Eared Sliders.
I have two red eared sliders, and one is named Shelly and the other is named Snappy. How do you set up their tank? Please post more pictures of how their tanks should be.
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