Can you put gravel in a turtle tank

I am worried he will be lonely and I want to give him more in-tank enrichment — any suggestions? I already pet him in tank and occasionally I take him out and use a toothbrush on his shell.

I have a bare bottom tank right now but am thinking, based on your blog, I should get some river rock. What other things can I add to the tank for enrichment? You are very welcome! I would also recommend adding several ghost shrimp to the tank. They are really inexpensive and you can find them at almost any pet store. They are a good protein source for red eared sliders and turtles love to chase and hunt them.

You could also add a calcium supplement like a turtle bone. I have two RES one is about 18 and the other is 3 — both named Phil, both female, hah. I love the idea of using sand but I am curious on how exactly you clean it? This will stir up the sand but suck up the debris into the gravel vac. I also just use a net to clean the big debris on top of the sand.

But if you want a really easy cleaning option, I would recommend a bare bottom tank. Hi, Shelby.. Very concerned not sure what route I should take, can you help me out? I would recommend at least a gallon tank with a Fluval FX6 canister filter. It will definitely help with keeping the aquarium clean and the filter has really strong suction cups that will prevent your turtle from knocking it off all the time.

As long as you are providing her with a nesting box and she is laying her eggs in that, you should be okay. It is that time of year for turtles to begin to get gravid. I would provide her extra calcium in the form of a Zoo Med Turtle Bone which will help with all of the calcium she is using to produce those eggs. Hello Shelby! I was so happy to find your blog!

I have 2 18 year old RES. So I purchased a 75 gallon and putting it together. For the bottom, I had fish gravel for many years which they would sometimes eat and poop out but now have river rock. With that big a tank it seems like too much weight to cover it completely. I am going to try the sand you suggested thanks for the amazon link with river rock random. My question, you mentioned to clean the sand first before set up. Can you advise on the best way to clean it? Thank you! Shelley and the Turds.

Great job getting a gallon tank! I know it can take up quite a bit of space but your turtles will really enjoy it. To clean it, I would pour some in a 5-gallon bucket with some water and swish it around and then drain out the water.

If you already have your gallon tank filled with water, you can just get a small tupperware container and slowly lower the clean sand into the bottom of the tank. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Skip to content This site contains affiliate links to products. View this post on Instagram. Pin Pure Water Pebbles Aquarium Gravel.

The product is aesthetically pleasing in an aquarium, and turtles can use it safely. It is also effortless to use and maintain and does not alter the chemical composition or pH level in your tank.

Pure Water Pebbles Aquarium Gravel is an affordable substrate that will leave your aquarium looking great. It is all-natural gravel that contains a unique and durable coating that does not change the chemistry or pH of the water in your tank.

Choosing the type of substrate that best suits your pet turtle requires careful consideration when it comes to safety. Stick to branded substrates to avoid any complications in your tank, as well as any concerning your reptilian friend. Each turtle is different, and you need to do your research until you find something that fits them comfortably.

Since I was young, I have always had a thing for sea creatures. Being raised along the beach gave me the chance to interact with all kinds of reptiles, including turtles. I have always found this creature quite fascinating, and at a young age, I asked my parents to get me one as a pet. My love for turtles is what inspired me to pursue marine science when I got to college.

Specializing in this field made learning so much about such reptiles. If you would like to get a pet turtle at your home, this guide will be of great help. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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Is Turtle An Amphibian? Get Your Doubts Cleared! Home Buying Guides The best substrate for turtles. Buying Guides. What should you consider when buying a substrate for your pet turtle? Natural feel The primary goal of decorating a tank is to ensure that it looks as natural as possible. Avoid dangerous materials With numerous types of substrates available in the market, not all of them are good options for your pet turtle.

Unnatural additives You may find that some substrates go through treatments with dyes or chemicals that are harmful to the overall health of your turtle. The best substrate for turtles Now that you have an idea of what to look for in a substrate, let us delve into this list of six of the best substrates for your pet turtle. Comparison Table Name. Check price. The best substrate for turtles. Kerry Blake Since I was young, I have always had a thing for sea creatures.

You can facilitate them various ways, including using pebbles, as long as they are too large for your turtle to snack on. Grading the habitat's substrate, which can be made up of appropriate-size pebbles or an aggregate of large pebbles and sand, will create a dry shelf on one end, where your turtle can exit the water and bask, and a deep end where he can fully submerge.

Using a substrate in a turtle's tank, whether pebbles, sand or other material, is optional. Some turtle owners put a layer of large, smooth pebbles on the bottom of their pet's aquarium because it creates a visually appealing, natural-looking setting. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, a bed of pebbles -- appropriately sized for the inhabitants, can be functional because it provides a barrier between the turtle and the bottom of the tank.

This barrier may be of benefit to some species of aquatic turtles, helping to prevent pressure sores on the bottoms of their feet. Christy Ayala writes about recreation, sports, aquatics, healthy living, family and parenting, language development, organizational change, pets and animals. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use. Size Matters Pebbles are a kind of sediment known as gravel.