Many people are captivated by Terrapins and Turtles, making an aquarium featuring these aquatic pets is a fascinating addition to any home.
Depending on the species, these amphibians may be fully or semi-aquatic. A Turtle or Terrapin tank is definitely not your average fish tank – it needs some special care.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to take care of a Turtle Tank and other information you need to know about these cute reptiles.
Let’s get started.
What is the Difference Between Turtle and a Terrapin?
First, let’s look at the difference between a turtle and a terrapin.
Turtles is a broad term that encompasses all reptiles with hard shells, which means that Terrapins are also classified as Turtles.
Strictly speaking though, Turtles are marine animals with flippers that help them swim well but make them sluggish on land.
A Terrapin is a Turtle that lives in fresh or brackish water; they are semi-aquatic and do not have flippers.
There are in fact Turtles that live in freshwater; you may wonder why they aren’t called Terrapins, but then again, the distinctions aren’t clear cut.
How to Take Care of Turtles in a Tank
Ideal Turtle Tank Size
Turtles aren’t exactly small pets; for small Turtle breeds or hatchings such as a Musk Turtle, you need a tank size of 20-30 gallons.
For large Turtle breeds and adults such as an Eastern Box Turtles , you need anywhere from 60 – 120 gallons. We recommend the REPTIZOO Large Reptile Terrarium Tank. It also depends on the actual size your Turtle will grow into and the number of them you have in a tank.
The water should be at least twice as deep as the length of the turtle’s shell.
Don’t forget a secure lid at the top to prevent the inhabitants from escaping.
Turtle Diet
Some turtles are omnivores such as the Box Turtle ,while some are carnivores such as a Loggerhead Turtle – you should feed them accordingly.
Young turtles need a lot of protein – 70% of their diet should be composed of protein, while the remaining 30% can be vegetables.
For adults, it should be 50% protein and 50% vegetables.
Protein food can include mealworms, crickets, feeder fish, and waxworms, there is also a variety of blends formulated for turtle on Amazon and they will happily eat most insects.
Vegetables you can feed to your turtles include romaine, green, and red leaf lettuce, squash, parsley, zucchini, dandelion, carrot, and sweet potato. You can also treat them with fruits like strawberries, which they like very much.
Be sure to cut all food into bite-sized pieces, ensuring that it is easy for your Turtle companions to eat and enjoy
Required Water Conditions for Turtles
A vital part of Turtle and Terrapin care is the maintenance of the water conditions.
Turtles are tropical and prefer warm water despite being cold-blooded creatures; you should aim for a temperature of 75-86 ° F, which may require a heater.
Also, there are few other aquarium inhabitants messier than Turtles, so be prepared to use a powerful filter to keep the water clean; considering the large size of the tank, a canister filter would be a good idea.
The water for your Turtle tank should be dechlorinated, just like it is for fish tanks.
As for the pH, most species of Turtles prefer the water to be slightly alkaline, in the 7.5 to 8.5 range. Just check the requirements of the specific species to be sure.
Basking Area and Plants
Like most reptiles, Turtles require periodic exposure to sunlight. You can install a heat lamp with UVA and UVB light to mimic the natural day/night cycle.
The area under the heat lamp can become a dry basking area where your turtles can warm themselves.
The temperature here should be around 90-95° F.
Your Turtles could use some privacy, so it is a good idea to decorate your tank with plants. One thing to watch out for is that your Turtles may eat the plants.
You can use water lily, duckweed, water lettuce, water hyacinth and water fern for your aquarium with Turtles.
How Long Do Turtles Live?
It obviously varies according to species, but, generally, Turtles in tanks can live somewhere around 20-30 years – it’s certainly quite a long-term commitment.
Looking at some of the commonly used Turtle breeds as pets, such as the North American Box Turtle and the Southeast Asian Box Turtle can live for 20-50 years, while the painted turtle can live for 25-50 years.
Map turtles have a lifespan of 10-30 years.
Interestingly, some Tortoises can live up to 100 years! However, Tortoises are not highly suitable as pets, because, one, they can get very large, and second, it’s not a good idea to get a pet that can outlive you.
How Long Can A Terrapin Live?
Let’s start with the Red Eared Slider Terrapin – the most popular pet Turtle in the US. Red Eared Slider Turtles can live 15-30 years long.
The Diamond Back Terrapin, on the other hand, can live for 25 to 40 years.
And the Yellow Bellied Slider Terrapin, another popular pet, can live anywhere between 30 to 40 years.
How Big Can Turtles Grow
Turtles can get quite large, that is why you need a large tank for them like the Tetra Aquatic Tank . The actual size varies according to species as well as the gender.
The female Map Turtle can grow up to 12 inches in length, making her significantly larger than the males, which typically only reach a size of 5 inches. This size difference highlights the fascinating characteristics of the Map Turtle species
Box Turtles can reach lengths of 5-7 inches; the females are slightly smaller.
Meanwhile, the Painted Turtle can grow to anywhere between 5 to 10 inches, with the male being smaller than the female.
How Big Can A Terrapin Grow
Red Eared Slider Terrapins can grow to an impressive size of 12 to 14 inches in length. Notably, female Red Eared Sliders are larger than their male counterparts, making this species an interesting choice for turtle lovers.
The male Diamondback Terrapin typically reaches a length of up to 5 inches, whereas females can grow significantly larger, averaging about 7.5 inches. With optimal conditions, both male and female Diamondback Terrapins have the potential to grow even larger, making them a fascinating species.
On the other hand, the female Yellow-Bellied Slider typically reaches a length of up to 8-13 inches long, while the male is much smaller and reaches a length of 5-9 inches.
About Turtle and Terrapin Breeding
Generally, males reach sexual maturity in 3 years, while the females take 5 years to be able to lay eggs.
In order to encourage mating, you have to lower the Turtles body temperature to 50 – 60 °F for 6 to 8 weeks.
After there has been a successful mating, the female will look for a place to lay eggs – digging is a sign that eggs are on the way. They prefer to lay their eggs on dry land, buried under sand, which is typical of turtles.
Like most reptiles, the responsibility as a parent ends for turtles after they lay their eggs; so it is up to you to take care of them – you could use an incubator for the eggs like the Hamiledyi Reptile Breeding Box or leave it be if the temperature is suitable on its own.
Conclusion
An aquarium featuring turtles offers a thrilling alternative to traditional fish tanks—these unique amphibious reptiles bring a dynamic and captivating element to your aquatic environment.
If you’re considering keeping turtles, it’s essential to understand their specific care requirements. That’s why we’ve compiled valuable insights and tips on turtle and terrapin care to help you create a thriving habitat for your new pets.
With this essential information, you’re one step closer to beginning your exciting journey of turtle keeping in your aquarium!
Good luck and thanks for reading 🐢
