6.) What Filter? A good filter is critically important. Consider a Filstar XP3, for instance (it needs FilStar Bio-Chem Stars, sold separately; the Fluval 304 & 404 are okay but can be harder to prime), and go online (Pet Warehouse, Big Al’s Online or That Pet Place) to get the best prices. You should aim for about 3 times plus the filtration power you’d use for a fish (so a filter rated for 60 gallons if you’ve got a 20). It will take the filter about 4 to 6 weeks to ‘cycle’ with bacteria, & then it breaks down ammonia to nitrite to nitrate (a less toxic waste product). Read about Filtration, Water Quality & Filter Options.

7.) What Food & How Do I Feed? A nutritious diet is also critical. Of the commercial foods, Mazuri & ReptoMin are the ‘standards.’ Many turtles take right to commercial food but not all do. Unlike the ReptoMin can says, you do not feed 2-3 times per day. You feed once daily the first few months and every other day thereafter. RES become progressively herbivorous as they age, and high protein diets in high volume are suspected of causing kidney failure and shortened lifespan. ReptoMin is an okay staple, but supplement by offering Romaine (not iceberg) lettuce, the fresh water plant Anacharis (available at PetsMart pretty cheap), gut-loaded feeder crickets (if not gut loaded, their phosphorous to calcium ratio is bad; pet shops often sell gut-loaded), occasionally small earth worms or maybe once every couple of weeks small guppies. Do not make fish the mainstay of the diet; this is unnatural & unhealthy. Read more about What To Feed A Turtle and How Much & How Often.


9.) What Substrate? You don’t need gravel in the tank. It’s usually okay to have it, but the tank’s easier to clean without it. Some synthetic wood and rock tank ‘furniture’ is appreciated, though. The turtle will want to explore. You want an intellectually stimulating enclosure, not a prison cell.

10.) How Will I Secure the Tank? Escape-proof the tank – they climb better than you think. A screen top is best, but failing that, some netting material from Wal-mart’s sewing department and some duct tape can do the job. Remember UV-B light can’t penetrate glass.

11.) How Will I Prevent Night Chills? If your home is air-conditioned, for night-time use consider setting up a small lamp with a black heat bulb from the pet store to keep the air in the tank warm enough the little guy doesn’t get his lungs chilled. This may not be critical, but it would be a nice thing…

12.) Where Do I Go From Here? LEARN – READ – QUESTION – you made a start here. Read care sheets & other information at:

Austin’s Turtle Page – Many care sheets covering varied sliders (including RES), cooters, painted turtles, map turtles & others.