how to build the perfect turtle habitat?

Answer 1

Here are the keys of building a good turtle habitat:

1. Size
It must accomodate the turtle now and as well as it grows. You should try to mimic nature as much as possible. I would say a minimum of 100 gallons for the average turtle. Having a sloping edge (at least one) is good, since most ponds don't have straight edges, which can make it hard for the turtle to swim straight up.

2. Filtration
You need to keep the water clean and don't need to change the water each week. The environment should have plants to asborb the nitrates which are broken down from ammonia which are created by the feces.

3. Substrate
Sand it great, but it can clog filters if you have a low intake. You can use large gravel so they won't swallow it. You can also use river rocks.

4. Basking area
Have one that is easily accessible and look nice. I find large peices of cured drift wood work best. I would tether one end down by screwing it to a large rock and have the other end floating. If drilling it into a rock is too much work, let it float.

5. Furniture
They need caves and rocks and things to investigate under water. Submerged rocks, and branches are great for this. It also helps them climb up to the surface or hold on when they are tired. You should also include potted plants, live or fake. But live floating plants are great (water lettuce and others) work well to provide shade, food and asthetics.

6. Escape and Predator proof
Make sure the basking area does not allow the turtle to climb out. Making a cover out of wire mesh and wood is good idea. For outdoor habitats, deeper the better.

The best is an outdoor pond that is at least 4' deep. This will keep the water temp more stable and predators out. Ponds with bottom drains, settling tanks and external pump work better than having a pump inside with a sponge prefilter. This type is cheap and does not work very well since it clogs up all the time. Look at koi filters with bottom drains.

For a good indoor set-up, I've built it out of wood and coated it with a water proof epoxy. I make plexi-glass windows and it is quite attractive.

Check out ATP Habitats with a plethora of pics and ideas for turtles set-ups:
http://www.atphabitats.com/

Answer 2

OK, I'm going to assume a couple of things: indoor habitat (as opposed to a pond, etc.) and 'pond turtles', as opposed to a habitat for tortoises or other kinds of turtles. I'm also assuming you want it to look nice and are willing to spend a few bucks on it.

My perfect turtle habitat would be a large corner-fitting indoor pond with a waterfall feature and some 'beach' for the turtles to climb out on. I'd have it well-planted and position potted plants around it.

There would be a nice pile of rocks and driftwood in the middle to form a good basking site.

A 'chandelier' or hanging rack over the tank would hold several differnet kinds of bulbs decoratively. They would be rigged on timers to start with just a few low wattage, then get brighter and ad infra-red and ultra-violet as the day went on- heating my basking sites in the process.

The water would be filtered as it went through the small waterfall or fountain, and there would be a few other semi-hidden filters as well, as well as heaters.

There would be a few live plants in the water, as well as a few carefully selected scavengers and snails to help keep things clean.

Any habitat should be about the animal, though, so cleanliness, temps, lighting, swimming space, and diet would be the driving elements. I would also park this somewhere where itcan be appreciated, but is not in the social center of the house- otherwise it will both be in the way and stress out the turtles with the activity.

(Oh, yes, I would use a seperate 'feeding tank' to keep the mess in the pond to a minimum!)


Now- if you want a 'kick bu77' TORTOISE space, let me know- I have a doozy of a plan I am working on! The Ultimate Indoor Tortoise Pen!

Answer 3

The only perfect habitat is leaving the turtle in the wild.

Answer 4

first of all, is your water turtle the vegie style, or the beef style? once you've the vegie style, and want to heaven you do. Or that little fellow will be ingesting your fish inventory, or be taking bites out of their fins. Do like I did. on the fish shops they sellfloating islands.placed the island in first, then fill your tank to the intensity you want your tank, and prestoe you've a impressive position on your turtle to eat,relax, or perhaps take a impressive little nap, consisting of your fishs only swimming round. yet also make effective your fish are more desirable than your turtles mouth.thanks for listening to an previous lady.

Answer 5

for my two box turtles evander and tyson i have a 30 gallon tank with dirt and bagged potting soil(untreated) mixed, i have a wading pool that i change the water everyday, and a half hollowed out treated log for shelter. i give them crickets and night crawlers for food. i put the tank outside when its warm and inside when its cold and they dont hybernate. the seem to be happy and healthy and ive had them for a year. i also mist them everyday.

Answer 6

ummm.....
my turtle we put a tank with tiles as steps...
it doesn't take much to please it....
but it actually enjoys living in the bak yard