ᐉ How to make an island and a bridge for a red-eared turtle with your own hands (bank, raft, dry land at home from scrap materials)

Do-it-yourself island for a red-eared turtle

The aquaterrarium for red-eared turtles must be properly equipped.
The turtles’ habitat must and definitely include: a spacious body of water and a sufficient amount of land. Red-eared turtles are amphibians. That is, living in water, turtles need to periodically go to land to replenish oxygen reserves and feast on the gifts of nature. Setting up a pond is not that difficult, but building an island for a turtle with your own hands is not an easy task; it requires a competent approach. Article on the topic: Water temperature for red-eared turtles in an aquarium, how many degrees is optimal?

How to choose an aquarium for a red-eared slider

When choosing an aquaterrarium for a red-eared turtle, be sure to take into account the size of the animal

and the characteristics of his body. These aquatic turtles spend a lot of time underwater, feeling safe there.

The aquaterrarium should be of such a size that the turtles can have plenty of space for swimming with the obligatory access to land. Terrariums can be low with a large area, and stones can be used to create a natural outcropping.

Such aquaterrariums are ideal for small turtles that swim a lot and often crawl out to bask.
Larger animals can escape through the low sides.

Thus, if a turtle is 10-13 cm long, then a 100-liter aquarium will be enough for it. As it begins to grow, a larger container is acquired. When this animal reaches a length of 20-30 cm, it will already need a 200-liter aquarium.

Too small a volume of the aquaterrarium contributes to rapid water pollution, which can cause red-eared turtles to get sick.

For the normal functioning of the animal, the following conditions must be observed:

Water

In order for the turtle to swim freely and easily perform various maneuvers, the water level in the terrarium must be at least 40 cm. It should be changed once a week, but not completely, but only 30-40% of the total volume. Newly added water must first be left for 5 days.

Land

The red-eared slider is considered a swimming reptile

. In addition to water, it can also be on land, crawling out to warm itself. This area should occupy 25% of the total area of the terrarium. The island should be attached to the base of the tank.

The top of the aquarium should be covered with glass with small holes to allow air to pass through. This is necessary to prevent animals from getting out.

The red-eared turtle is quite sedentary and spends a lot of time on land. You can arrange several islands for it. One may be in a shaded area, and the other in a brightly lit area.

Some points should be taken into account when arranging an island of land in a terrarium:

A piece of land is made 30 cm below the edge of the terrarium so that the animal cannot get out.

Temperature

The water temperature in the aquarium should be 23-28 degrees

. If there are two islands of land, then one should be in a shaded place, and the temperature there should be 23-25 degrees. And on a warm island the temperature is usually 28-32 degrees. Such temperature changes are considered ideal for these animals.

To create this temperature, use a special aquarium lamp. A drop in temperature below 20 degrees has a negative impact on the health of this pet.

Lighting and UV lamps

In their natural habitat, red-eared turtles often crawl onto land to bask in the sun's rays. Aquaterrariums also need lighting, so incandescent lamps of 40-75 W

. The lamp must be hung above the sushi island. The distance from it to the lamp should be such that the air warms up to 28-32 degrees. At night the lights are turned off.

Many owners of red-eared turtles do not even realize that these pets urgently need ultraviolet light, which helps the body absorb calcium and synthesize vitamin D 3. Their lack contributes to the development of rickets and even the death of the animal.

You should purchase a UV lamp that emits UVB and UVA rays. It is strictly forbidden to use a lamp with UVC rays, because they burn the retina, making the turtle blind.

The UV lamp is turned on every day for 12 hours. It must be installed from above at a distance of at least 30 cm from the ground. Replace the lamp once a year.

Water filtration

The water in the aquarium should always be clean

, then the turtles won’t get sick. External aquarium filters of any type are suitable for terrariums.

It is better not to use internal filters, because they quickly become clogged with suspended matter, losing their effectiveness.

The better the filter, the less often you will need to change the water in the aquarium. To ensure that the water is always clean, it is changed every week by 30-40% of its volume.

"...lonely, like an island in the ocean." Rules for building sushi

If you are setting up a beach for a turtle with your own hands, then the ideal ratio of land and water is 1:4. That is, land should occupy 25% of the area of the aquaterraria. This is provided that the shore or island is no less than 4 turtle sizes. If a whole flock of agile turtles lives in an aquaterrarium, then the land area should be several times greater than the total size of all the turtles.

1. Access to land, that is, a ladder or ascent, should be as convenient and safe as possible. Excessively steep inclines and sliding surfaces should be avoided. The ladder must have a corrugated and rough surface. The angle of elevation should be as obtuse as possible. It will be good if you build an island for the red-eared turtle with your own hands with an angle within 160°.

2. The shore should rise above the water surface by at least 25-50 (mm).

3. The land must be warmed up and exposed to ultraviolet radiation. You can read how to properly organize lighting and heating of the shore in this section .

How to build land?

A shore can be created:

Based on suspended structure
With support on the bottom of the reservoir

Suspended structures have a more practical and aesthetic design. That is, a do-it-yourself hanging island for a turtle is a neat and sophisticated island that is created for the pet’s maximum comfort.

The shore supported by the bottom is more massive. Such designs look very natural and natural. Islands supported on the bottom are most often presented in the form of a large stone sculpture, which is simply immersed in a body of water, so that it looks out of the water by 25-50 (mm) and has at least one flat side along which the turtle will climb onto the island .

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1. If you are creating a suspended bank for a turtle with your own hands, then you can use the following as building material:

Ordinary glass with rounded edges
Tile without sharp edges

Why these materials? – The fact is that glass and tiles are completely hypoallergenic materials that do not change the chemical and structural composition of water. If you take plastic or wood impregnated with a water-repellent solution, then the water in the aquaterrarium will slowly but surely be poisoned by all kinds of toxins.

2. If you are building an island for a red-eared turtle with your own hands with support on the bottom, then you can use the following material as material:

Large pebbles. These are large rounded blocks. You can take not just one pebble, but 3, 4 or all 5
Solid natural stone
Granite statue
corral reef

The advantage of these materials is their natural and natural texture. Stone blocks do not need to be processed or otherwise brought to perfection. The disadvantage of these materials is their massiveness. That is, if the suspended islands do not occupy the space of the reservoir. then the land resting on the bottom of the reservoir takes away precious water space.

Examples of suspended islands

1. If you are building a shore for a turtle with your own hands with a suspended structure, then it is best to fix the island with glue to the wall of the aquaterrarium. This method is the simplest and most effective. But not everyone likes the use of “chemistry” in an aquaterrarium. The fact is that the glue can come into contact with water, which can lead to intoxication of the reservoir.

2. An alternative to glue are vacuum suction cups. But this solution does not have the highest reliability. The suckers may fidget along the wall of the aquaterrarium, or they may completely weaken and drown the land.

3. The glass or tiled surface must be covered with corrugated material with a high level of roughness. Some people install carpet with a plastic backing and non-absorbent pile over a smooth surface. Others, when building an island for a turtle with their own hands, equip the surface with pebbles, which are fixed with glue.

Article on the topic: How to make an aquarium (aquaterrarium) for a red-eared turtle with your own hands at home

Types of the island

Today there are several main types:

Very popular types of shores that are created from glass. To do this, you will need to use ordinary glass, which is cut in the shape of a square, and its size should be 3 times larger than the dimensions of the pet. Then it is glued to the walls of the terrarium using a special glue or sealant. You need to glue stones or pebbles onto the glass surface itself using the same glue. Thanks to this, you can get rid of a slippery surface, and the pebbles can recreate a natural environment. Such dry land should have a ladder, which can be made from a similar piece of glass or rough plastic. The entire production process must be done only in a dry terrarium, and settlement can be carried out after a couple of days, when the glue and sealant have completely dried and the toxic odor has evaporated.
The second option for sushi is to use tiles. It is worth noting that the tile has a smooth surface, so you will need to glue a piece of green rubber onto it, which will become like grass.
For red-eared turtles, you can make a bank from wood, but before that the material is processed so that water does not affect the wood. Otherwise, the process of rotting will begin and the wood will release toxic substances into the water. Such material can be painted or used for processing with varnish. After treating the surface, it will be smooth, so you should immediately cover it with rubber or pebbles.
One of the easiest options is to use large stones. They are of natural origin, which means they are completely safe for reptiles. In addition, their structure is rough, which means it does not require additional pasting. An excellent place for such a bank would be in the corner part of the terrarium. There is also another advantage - there is no need to drain water from the home for cleaning. Before you make an island for a turtle from a stone, you need to wash it with soap under running water and put it in boiling water and let it cook for 5-10 minutes.

Do not use foam for sushi. Of course, such raw materials may be ideal due to their roughness and the ability to preserve the body, but it crumbles, which means it will not withstand it for a long time. In addition, the pet can taste its island and choke on a piece of raw material.

If you don’t have the materials or the desire to make an island for turtles with your own hands, you can buy ready-made shores in a store or online. This method will save the breeder from unnecessary hassle and save time.

Primary requirements

How to make an island for a turtle with your own hands, so that the reptile can rest comfortably and safely on it? When preparing such a site, you should pay attention to the following points:

The size of the island is of decisive importance. It is desirable that its area is several times larger than the size of the turtle. If we are talking about keeping a group of such pets, the area needs to be truly spacious.
When preparing an island for a turtle with your own hands, you need to consider how easy it will be for your pet to climb onto it. A good solution would be to install a special inclined ladder that is partially submerged in water.
It is better if the surface of the island is textured. It will be much easier for the turtle to move on a rough surface.
Making an island for a turtle with your own hands must be strong enough. The platform should not sag under the weight of the reptile.
It is necessary that the surface of the island always remains above the water level. This will allow the turtle to dry out and warm its body while resting.
You should not fix the platform at the very edge of the aquarium. The island should be located 15-20 centimeters below its top line. Otherwise, the turtle can get out and run away, getting injured in the process.
The entire area of the island should be heated with an ultraviolet lamp. The creation of such an alternative to natural sunlight is necessary for the turtle for healthy growth and development of the body. In this case, you need to ensure that the temperature on the island is maintained within 30 o C. After all, the reptile can overheat.

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Coastal development

An island for a turtle in an aquarium can be arranged in several ways:

In the form of a suspended structure.
Use a support on the bottom of the aquarium.

The first type of arrangement refers to more practical methods, which are not only a neatly executed design, but also create the most comfortable conditions for your pet.

The island made using the second option is a more powerful design in appearance and design. Land of this type is most similar to the natural habitat of a turtle. In most cases, such an island is created from stones that overlap each other, and the sloping side must be of such a type that the turtle can safely go onto land without experiencing discomfort.

When creating a suspended structure, you can use:

Tiles that do not have sharp edges.
Glass without sharp corners.

The above materials are most suitable for designing a suspended structure, since they are hypoallergenic and do not in any way affect the quality of the water space in the turtle’s home. If you use wood that has been pre-treated with water-repellent agents or plastic, you can thus cause water poisoning with various toxins present in these materials.

When you build an island for a turtle using the second method, you can use:

Coral reef.
Solid natural stone.
Granite parts.
Large pebbles. You can take not one, but several stones for better arrangement.

The main advantage of these materials is their natural origin. There is no need to pre-treat the stones or prepare them in any way. However, their negative feature is their powerful dimensions. Consequently, if the suspended structure does not in any way affect the size of the water space, then the island in the form of a support on the bottom will take away free space from the turtle in the aquatic environment.

Glass island

As practice shows, it is quite simple to make an island for a red-eared turtle with your own hands from a piece of durable glass. For these purposes, they take a large piece of material and cut out of it a square or rectangular area, the dimensions of which are several times greater than the parameters of the reptile. The edges of the glass blank are ground and rubbed with sandpaper so that the sharp edges do not harm the pet.

The island is attached to the walls of the aquarium using sealant. The surface of the site is covered with small pebbles using the same composition. This solution will give the island a natural look.

When creating an island for a turtle with your own hands, you should take care of preparing a ladder along which the reptile will climb to the surface. The latter can be a similar piece of glass with the same inlay in the form of pebbles. Alternatively, you can stick a piece of rubber or plastic onto the ladder. The main thing is that the surface of the structure is rough. Otherwise, the reptile will not be able to get out of the water on the slippery surface.

It is not recommended to introduce the turtle into the aquarium immediately after completing the above work. It is necessary to allow all connections of the structure to dry and strengthen. The reptile can be settled after several days. This time will be enough for the sealant to firmly adhere to the surfaces and for the unpleasant chemical odor of the substance to dissipate.

An island or shore for an aquatic turtle - Turtles.ru - all about turtles and for turtles

In this article I will talk about what types of islands for turtles exist and how to make one with your own hands. Describing the necessary materials, parameters and sequence of actions, I will take into account all the details so that after studying the article you will not have any questions left and you will be able to independently make an island for an aquatic red-eared turtle.

Materials for the island can be different, for example - bamboo sticks

Primary requirements

How to make an island for a turtle with your own hands, so that the reptile can rest comfortably and safely on it? When preparing such a site, you should pay attention to the following points:

The size of the island is of decisive importance. It is desirable that its area is several times larger than the size of the turtle. If we are talking about keeping a group of such pets, the area needs to be truly spacious.
When preparing an island for a turtle with your own hands, you need to consider how easy it will be for your pet to climb onto it. A good solution would be to install a special inclined ladder that is partially submerged in water.
It is better if the surface of the island is textured. It will be much easier for the turtle to move on a rough surface.
Making an island for a turtle with your own hands must be strong enough. The platform should not sag under the weight of the reptile.
It is necessary that the surface of the island always remains above the water level. This will allow the turtle to dry out and warm its body while resting.
You should not fix the platform at the very edge of the aquarium. The island should be located 15-20 centimeters below its top line. Otherwise, the turtle can get out and run away, getting injured in the process.
The entire area of the island should be heated with an ultraviolet lamp. The creation of such an alternative to natural sunlight is necessary for the turtle for healthy growth and development of the body. In this case, you need to ensure that the temperature on the island is maintained within 30°C. After all, the reptile can overheat.

Important features of sushi

The land area for the turtle should be large enough - no less than 2-4 times larger than the pet itself. If several reptiles are kept at once, the size should be increased accordingly. To independently create a piece of land that meets all the needs of turtles, you need to fulfill the following prerequisites:

raise the surface above the water by at least 3-5 cm so that the reptile can dry completely after climbing up;
leave at least 15-20 cm from the surface to the edge of the side of the aquarium so that the pet cannot escape;
ensure stability and strength - land for red-eared turtles must withstand the considerable weight of these animals, not wobble or fall apart when moving along it;
use materials that do not contain toxins - glass, food-grade plastic, wood, natural stone, ceramic tiles;
do not use smooth stones or plastic, from which the turtle can slip - you need to make a rough or embossed surface;
It is recommended to install a comfortable lift so that the pet can comfortably go onto land;
Directly above the land you need to place lamps - regular and UV radiation, you also need to leave one corner shaded so that the animal can hide in case of overheating.

When the aquarium is large, the turtle bank is often supplemented with a bridge or raft. This variety will entertain your pet and make his home more interesting. It is important to remember that land in the aquarium should occupy no less than 25% of the total area.

Glass island

As practice shows, it is quite simple to make an island for a red-eared turtle with your own hands from a piece of durable glass.

For these purposes, they take a large piece of material and cut out of it a square or rectangular area, the dimensions of which are several times greater than the parameters of the reptile.

The edges of the glass blank are ground and rubbed with sandpaper so that the sharp edges do not harm the pet.

The island is attached to the walls of the aquarium using sealant. The surface of the site is covered with small pebbles using the same composition. This solution will give the island a natural look.

When creating an island for a turtle with your own hands, you should take care of preparing a ladder along which the reptile will climb to the surface.

The latter can be a similar piece of glass with the same inlay in the form of pebbles. Alternatively, you can stick a piece of rubber or plastic onto the ladder. The main thing is that the surface of the structure is rough.

Otherwise, the reptile will not be able to get out of the water on the slippery surface.

"...lonely, like an island in the ocean." Rules for building sushi

If you are setting up a beach for a turtle with your own hands, then the ideal ratio of land and water is 1:4. That is, land should occupy 25% of the area of the aquaterraria.

This is provided that the shore or island is no less than 4 turtle sizes.

If a whole flock of agile turtles lives in an aquaterrarium, then the land area should be several times greater than the total size of all the turtles.

2. The shore should rise above the water surface by at least 25-50 (mm).

3. The land must be warmed up and exposed to ultraviolet radiation. You can read how to properly organize lighting and heating of the shore in this section .

How to build land?

A shore can be created:

Based on suspended structure
With support on the bottom of the reservoir

1. If you are creating a suspended bank for a turtle with your own hands, then you can use the following as building material:

Ordinary glass with rounded edges
Tile without sharp edges

2. If you are building an island for a red-eared turtle with your own hands with support on the bottom, then you can use the following material as material:

Large pebbles. These are large rounded blocks. You can take not just one pebble, but 3, 4 or all 5
Solid natural stone
Granite statue
corral reef

Examples of suspended islands

Island of stones

How else to make an island for a turtle with your own hands? The least expensive solution in terms of wasted effort and time is to create a platform from large stones. Since the material is of natural origin, it will not harm the pet. Among other things, the stones themselves have a rough surface. Therefore, you won’t have to create any notches or glue them over.

Before you start decorating the island, you should wash the stones in soapy water, then rinse them thoroughly. Finally, it is worth boiling the material in a saucepan for several minutes. The solution will destroy pathogenic microorganisms that could potentially concentrate on the surface of the stones.

It is recommended to place stones in one of the corners of the aquarium. You need to create a slide with a sloping plane. This is the only way the turtle can get to land without any problems.

Sushi options

Before you go looking for materials, you need to decide on the type of future land plot. There are several basic designs:

Hanging - most often shelves and other hanging devices that are attached to the walls of the aquarium above the water level; a ladder must be attached to them.
Supporting - installed on the bottom (various islands for turtles, bridges, slides), must be heavy and strong enough so that the pet does not move the device along the bottom.
Bulk - part of the aquaterrarium is separated by a partition and covered with sand or pebbles; this method allows you to create a spacious area of land for the turtle.
Floating ones are usually small structures, but with the help of modern materials even a large raft can be made. The disadvantage of such a device is its mobility and “sinkability” - it can be used for cubs and growing individuals.

When choosing a design, it is better to be guided by the conditions of a particular aquaterrarium. In small containers, it is recommended to use hanging and floating models so as not to reduce the total area available to the pet. If the aquarium is large, you can make a wooden bank for the red-eared turtle or install a reliable stone island.

What materials are not suitable for creating an island?

Island of stones

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It is recommended to place stones in one of the corners of the aquarium. You need to create a slide with a sloping plane. This is the only way the turtle can get to land without any problems.

Types of islets

Islands made of glass are very popular. To do this, a square is cut out of glass, the dimensions of which are 3 times the size of the animal and glued to the walls of the aquarium using sealant. Natural pebbles are glued to the surface of the glass, also using sealant. Thus, the surface will not be slippery, and natural pebbles create a natural look. As a ladder, you can use the same glass with identical inlay or a piece of rough plastic. All work should be carried out in a dry aquarium, and you can move the turtle into it after two days, when the sealant has dried and the smell from it has disappeared.
Using a piece of tile, you can make a similar island, as in the first case. But the tiles are very smooth and it will be uncomfortable for the turtle to move on it. In this case, you can stick a piece of green rubber on the tile, which will resemble grass.
An island for a turtle can be made from wood, having previously treated it so that it is resistant to water, otherwise it will quickly rot and spoil the water in the aquarium. This island can be painted or coated with waterproof varnish. This results in the same problem: the island will be smooth and she will not be able to climb onto it.
The simplest and most ideal material is to use large stones to construct an island. Since the stones are of natural origin, it will be absolutely safe for the life of the animal, and they also have a natural roughness, which is ideal for a turtle. The ideal place for an island is a corner of the aquarium. There is one more serious advantage in organizing such an island: you don’t have to pour out the water from the aquarium and move the turtle to another, less comfortable place. Before laying the stones, they should be washed well with soap and boiled in within 5 minutes.

It is not recommended to use material such as polystyrene foam to build an island. Polystyrene foam would be ideal for such a design: it is able to retain heat for a long time and has an acceptable roughness. Unfortunately, it is also capable of crumbling. In other words, it is not durable, especially if the turtle suddenly decides to test the strength of his island. She may taste a small piece and choke. Sometimes floating islands are made from foam plastic, but they are still not suitable for turtles: the turtle will not be able to climb on it, and if it does climb, it will not be able to stay on it. It is not recommended to make such islands by placing small driftwood or branches in the aquarium. They will very quickly begin to rot and spoil the water.

If there are no options and there is no desire to make such an addition to the aquarium, then you can purchase a finished product at a pet store or order it online. It is quite possible that this is the simplest and most quickly resolved option, which will cost some money, but will save you from worries.

What materials are not suitable for creating an island?

When organizing a site in an aquarium, the use of the following ideas does not seem to be a very reasonable option:

Foam plastic is easy to process, has a rough surface, holds well on water and retains heat. Despite these advantages, the material crumbles easily. Foam particles can get into the water. If a turtle decides to try one of these pieces, it may choke.
Inflatable pillow - such an island will float well on the water. However, it will be difficult for the turtle to climb on it and hold on.
A wooden board or driftwood - it’s easy to make an island for a red-eared turtle with your own hands from such materials. The use of natural material will not harm the health of the animal. At the same time, the wooden island will gradually begin to rot. Its particles will get into the water, which will spoil its quality and lead to the need for regular cleaning of the aquarium.

Glass

Islands made from this material are in great demand due to their availability and ease of manufacture. You will need to cut a square of glass (carefully follow the dimensions described above) and attach it to the walls of the aquaterrarium, using sealant.

Since the turtle will slide on the glass, you will have to use sealant to attach a layer of pebbles to the surface of the island. Using the same principle, you can make a ladder.

Please note that before fixing the glass shore in the aquaterrarium, release all pets from it. They must be kept in a separate place for at least two days after completion of the work. During this time, the sealant will dry, and the aquarium will be ventilated from its smell.

Do-it-yourself island (shore, land, raft) and bridge in an aquarium for a turtle

Red-eared turtles spend a significant part of their lives in the water, but also need access to land. In the aquaterrarium you need to arrange a comfortable island, shelf or bridge where the pet will bask under the lamp. A variety of options can be found at a pet store, but if you wish, you can make an island for your turtle with your own hands.

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Examples of design of suspended islands

When arranging a hanging island, you can use glue to fix the entire structure to the aquarium wall. This fastening option is quite simple and has the greatest effect. However, the big disadvantage is that the glue may come into contact with the aquatic environment, which in turn will lead to damage to the water in the aquarium.
You can create an island for a turtle using suction cups. But this type of fastening is not a very reliable method, since the suction cups can move along the aquarium walls, which can also lead to the dry land completely going under water.
You can also cover tiles or glass with a corrugated material that has a rough finish. Sometimes some owners use a carpet that has a plastic base and a small pile size, which is placed on top of a smooth surface. As an option for arranging an island in an aquaterrarium, they also use small pebbles, which are fixed with glue to a smooth surface.

Although the red-eared turtle is an animal that spends most of its time in water, sometimes it still needs to get out onto land to rest, take oxygen and sunbaths. In this case, it is necessary to arrange an island for the turtle in the aquarium. And now we will tell you how to make it yourself.

Important features of sushi

raise the surface above the water by at least 3-5 cm so that the reptile can dry completely after climbing up;
leave at least 15-20 cm from the surface to the edge of the side of the aquarium so that the pet cannot escape;
ensure stability and strength - land for red-eared turtles must withstand the considerable weight of these animals, not wobble or fall apart when moving along it;
use materials that do not contain toxins - glass, food-grade plastic, wood, natural stone, ceramic tiles;
do not use smooth stones or plastic, from which the turtle can slip - you need to make a rough or embossed surface;
It is recommended to install a comfortable lift so that the pet can comfortably go onto land;
Directly above the land you need to place lamps - regular and UV radiation, you also need to leave one corner shaded so that the animal can hide in case of overheating.

Types of sushi

Islands can be made from different materials and using different technologies, but they can still be divided into 2 large groups:

Inside the aquarium
Beyond

Install the island so that the turtle cannot get out of the aquarium on it.
They are the same in operation, but when choosing between them you need to pay attention to the volume of water held. For one reptile, you need to calculate 100 liters of water; if it holds just this amount, then it must be filled completely, and the island must be placed outside

If it exceeds the specified volume by 2 times or more, then it can be filled halfway and an island placed inside.

An aquarium for one reptile - at least 100 liters of water.

We examined all aspects of self-building an island for your red-eared pet

The only thing left to pay attention to is the safety and reliability of the design. Also, do not forget that the territory of the island should be illuminated by a UV lamp

In order for the island to last a long time and not injure the pet if destroyed, it must be made from high-quality raw materials.

Sushi options

Before you go looking for materials, you need to decide on the type of future land plot. There are several basic designs:

Hanging - most often, shelves and other hanging devices that are attached to the walls of the aquarium above the water level, a ladder must be attached to them.
Supporting - installed on the bottom (various islands for turtles, bridges, slides), must be heavy and strong enough so that the pet does not move the device along the bottom.
Bulk - part of the aquaterrarium is separated by a partition and covered with sand or pebbles, this method allows you to create a spacious area of \u200b\u200bland for the turtle.
Floating ones are usually small structures, but with the help of modern materials even a large raft can be made. The disadvantage of such a device is its mobility and “sinkability” - it can be used for cubs and growing individuals.

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Island or shore for an aquatic turtle

Most aquatic turtles, including red-eared turtles and marsh turtles, require a small, heated area of completely dry land.

Turtles breathe atmospheric air and also need rest; without an island, the animal can drown. Also, the presence of sushi will prevent some shell diseases.

An ultraviolet lamp and an incandescent lamp should be located above the island.

The size of the island should be 3-4 turtle sizes in length and width, or 2 times the sum of the sizes of all turtles in the aquarium.

Some species of turtles prefer underwater shelters; if you can do this using an island, the turtle will like it. Aquatic turtles do not need shelter on land.

What should an island be like for an aquatic turtle?

Accessible to the turtle - so that the turtle can easily climb onto land;
Rough - both the island and the ladder to it should not be smooth, otherwise the turtle will slide;
Durable - the land must support the weight of the turtle, must be stable so as not to crush the animal;
Absolutely dry - no water should be poured on it, i.e. the island must be above the water level - this is the only way the turtle can dry out and warm up;
Position no higher than 20 cm from the top of the aquarium so that lamps can be installed and the turtle cannot escape from the aquarium.;
Heated - there must be a heating lamp and an ultraviolet lamp above the island (since water practically does not transmit UV rays), the temperature on the island must be higher than the water temperature, about 30-31 C;
Made from durable and non-toxic materials - islands made of foam plastic or covered with small pebbles, which a turtle can swallow, are absolutely not suitable; There should not be strips of silicone sealant on the island; a turtle could eat it;
The ladder from the island should not be located close to the bottom, otherwise the turtle may get stuck between the bottom of the aquarium and the ladder and drown.

You can make different versions of the islands yourself, order them from an aquarium workshop, or buy them from a pet store:

Glass islands covered with pebbles

A piece of glass of the required size is cut out (about 1.5-2 times the size of a turtle), stones are glued onto it, and then it is glued into the aquarium using aquarium sealant (glue). The aquarium must be empty and dry. The turtle can be stocked 2-3 days after the aquarium has been ventilated.

Island made of wood

You can buy it ready-made or glue it yourself.

Glass islands covered with rugs

Such islands are covered with rubber mats “like grass” or for a bath.

Island with suction cups from Zoomed

Such a shore can be bought at a pet store with a department of goods for reptiles or ordered from an online pet store in our country or abroad. The banks from Zoomed support large turtles, but the banks from Exoterra tilt and then need to be propped up.

Canopy shore for an aquarium (or shore in American style)

There is also a Turtle Topper that sits on top of narrow aquariums. You can buy it in foreign online pet stores.

Trionics and other freshwater turtles, which lead a completely aquatic lifestyle, do not need dry land, but they crawl out close to the water's edge to bask.

Other island options are:

floating rafts made of lightweight material. They are not very suitable, because... a heavy turtle will sink such a raft and it will be difficult for her to climb onto it.
driftwood, branches. This is a good bank that allows the turtle to dry not only from above, but also from below, but improperly treated snags will spoil the water and rot. How to properly process driftwood...

Why might a turtle not come ashore?

There may be several reasons why an aquatic turtle, which is accustomed to spending time on land, does not use it.

For example, if access to the shore is inconvenient, the turtle will sit in the water and become covered with diatoms, which cause erosion of the shell, but thanks to molting, this is not a problem. Also, the water in the aquarium will be warmer than the air on land.

Then there will be no point for the turtle to come out to warm itself on land, since it is already warm in the water. However, sitting in water for a long time without drying can lead to the development of bacterial diseases.

DIY shelf

One of the simplest sushi options is a shelf that is glued to the walls. To do this, you will need a suitable size piece of thick food-grade plastic, wood, tile or 6 mm glass.

Glass cutting is performed with a special oil glass cutter; you can also purchase a piece of the required size in a workshop. To make a hanging nest for a red-eared turtle with your own hands, you will need silicone glue-sealant. To do the job, you need to follow the step-by-step instructions:

The edges of the shelf should be trimmed evenly and sanded with sandpaper - it is better to grout the glass under a stream of water to avoid inhaling small particles.
The water is drained from the aquarium, the walls are thoroughly washed to remove plaque, and the place where the shelf is attached is degreased.
The aquaterrarium is placed on its side, the edges of the shelf are covered with sealant.
The shelf is applied to the walls and pressed tightly for several minutes so that the glue sets.
The part is fixed with masking tape and left to dry completely for a day.
For a heavy tiled shelf, it is better to immediately glue in a support - a vertical piece of plastic or tile that will rest on the bottom.

To make it convenient for your pet to go onto land, the shelf is attached at a slight angle, or a plastic or glass ladder is glued. Its lower edge is not lowered to the bottom - this way the reptile will have enough space to swim. The surface of the descent and the land itself must be lubricated with sealant and sprinkled with clean sand. You can glue pebbles onto land; small glass beads will also work. Shelves with artificial grass made of plastic look beautiful; a soft green rubber mat will be an analogue. These methods will help make the surface of the shelf textured and the turtle will not have difficulties moving on land.

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IMPORTANT: In order not to worry about a rough surface, you can find decorative tiles with a relief pattern. Convex lines and stripes will create a sufficiently textured base so that your pet’s paws do not slip, and such a surface will be easier to clean than one covered with pebbles.

Video: making your own shelf from a disc cover and a cork

How to make an island for a turtle

Making a preliminary layout from thick cardboard:

We measure how long and wide the island should be
We transfer the received data to cardboard; for convenience, you can write down the values on each side
We are preparing the same ladder blanks

If you create good living conditions for the turtle, it will delight you for a long time
. Using special tools or using the services of a glazier, we cut out glass to individual sizes.

Do not leave any sharp edges to prevent your pet from getting hurt.

We glue the island and the ladder to obtain a single structure:

We install two glasses on a hard, stable surface at the desired angle
Fill the space between them with aquarium sealant
Leave for a day until completely dry

We glue the structure inside the aquaterrarium:

Generously coat the edges that should be adjacent to the aquarium with sealant.
Press firmly and hold for 30-40 seconds
Leave until completely dry

Making a cozy home for your pet with your own hands is not at all difficult.

Cover the island with the selected coating:

Disinfect and rinse thoroughly with running water
Soak in soapy water for several hours
Rinse again with running water
Dry thoroughly
Lubricate with sealant and glue the coating, tightly fitting and holding

In order for the use of an aquaterrarium with a new island to become safe, it is necessary to wait 2-3 days until the toxic substances have completely evaporated.

Homemade stone island

To make a stone island for your aquarium yourself, you will need to select pebbles or stones of a suitable size (at least 4-5 cm). It is better to choose flat stones with a rough surface. They need to be pre-treated at home - boiled over low heat for half an hour to kill all bacteria.

You can make an island for a turtle with your own hands from stone without the use of additional materials and tools. The water is drained from the aquarium and several layers of pebbles are laid out in one of the corners to create a slide of the required height. To stabilize the structure, you can use sealant, but it is better to choose stones that are flat enough to be held in place by their weight. They can be disassembled and washed when cleaning the aquaterrarium.

Decorative version of the island

An island for a red-eared turtle can not only serve as land, but also become a real decoration of an aquaterrarium. To make it, you can use dried and processed parts of coral masses, pieces of granite or wood, pick up bright pebbles or glue pebbles to an island of different colors. When laid out in a certain sequence, they will create an elegant pattern reminiscent of a mosaic. You can also use plastic plants, colored glass granules, and shells to decorate the surface.

Required parameters

For red-eared turtles, aquaterrariums consisting of 70% water are suitable - the rest should be land. In this case, water must be poured so that the reptile is completely immersed in it and can swim. The size of the turtle should take into account the growth rate of the pets. In a few years, a small individual can reach a length of 30 cm. In this regard, the parameters of the aquarium are selected as follows:

for babies up to 10 cm in size, 50 liter containers are suitable;
for medium-sized individuals from 10 to 16 cm, an 80-liter aquarium is sufficient;
for large turtles up to 25 cm long, aquariums with a volume of 120 liters are required;
For adult reptiles, large aquariums of 150 liters are required.

A suitable aquarium is usually purchased ready-made. It should be a rectangular or square glass container. Round or lens-shaped aquariums are not suitable for keeping turtles at home.

Homemade bridge

The island can be made more impressive by building something like an arch made of stone or wood. This way you can create a beautiful bridge for a turtle, which will give your pet’s home an exotic look. It is better to use a large piece of plastic or plexiglass for the base of the structure. To make a bridge for a red-eared turtle with your own hands, you will need silicone sealant. Flat stones or pebbles are carefully laid out layer by layer, each piece is secured with glue. The height of the structure should be such that it protrudes several centimeters above the water, and the width should exceed the diameter of the animal’s shell. When the bridge to the aquarium is ready, you need to leave it to dry for 1-2 days.

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You can also make a bridge from wood - for this you use even blocks or neatly cut pieces of bamboo. It is also better to fasten them with sealant - the nails can rust from constant exposure to water.

Description of the species

Ornate turtles (Chrysemys) are divided into eight species. Their representatives live in various bodies of water in South and North America. The most famous of them is the beautiful and slender red-eared turtle.

Its shell reaches 28 cm in length. The pattern on it and coloring are individual for each individual. A characteristic feature of this species is two orange, red or yellow spots that are located on the sides of the head.

These turtles prefer shallow, swampy waters. In their homeland, they are more often called “red-eared sliders” for their special manner of running away from danger at very high speed, sliding their belly along the surface of the soil in order to quickly dive into the water.

Raft for turtle - floating shore

Floating structures are convenient because they save space, are easily removed and do not interfere with cleaning the aquarium. You can make them yourself from scrap materials - plastic, cork. But it should be borne in mind that this type of sushi is only suitable as a temporary option. It is best to make a comfortable and reliable raft for your pet from wood or bamboo.

The material must first be treated with moisture-proof impregnation and varnished - then the wood will not rot from constant exposure to water. Vacuum suction cups can be used to secure the turtle raft under the lamps. You can buy them at a hardware store, and to glue them to the edges of the raft you will need silicone sealant.

IMPORTANT: When choosing treatment products, you must check that they do not contain harmful or toxic substances. Impregnations that are used for wood in a sauna or bathhouse are well suited.

Bridge to the terrarium

Often, reptile breeders might see that stores offer to purchase a bridge for the animal. It is made from natural materials, and the structure is fixed to the walls of the terrarium using ordinary suction cups. You can make a similar bridge yourself

It is only important not to use untreated wood materials. In stores, bridges are already impregnated with substances that prevent water from affecting the wood

The bridge is an excellent place for the animal to walk on and even rest on it.

To create even more comfortable conditions, you can use not only islands, but also make a house for a reptile. Since reptiles love privacy, this would be an excellent place to hide. To create it, you can use a box of about 0.5 sq.m., which is made of wood, non-toxic plastic or ceramics. For example, you can simply knock out one side of a flower pot and place it in an aquarium. The completed house will be an excellent refuge and place for privacy and relaxation for your pet.

Red-eared turtles are aquatic species of these animals. To keep them, you need a large and comfortable aquarium. It is correct to call it an aquaterrarium, because such a reservoir contains water and has access to land.

This animal is demanding about its place of residence. Therefore, you need to know how to arrange it in such a way as to create a natural habitat for it. Only in this case will this animal live a long life, free from disease.

Types of islets

One of the most common options is a piece of glass sushi. To make it, a glass rectangle is cut out to match the size of the pet. Using aqua sealant at the required height, it is glued to the walls of the aquarium. Its surface, also using sealant, is inlaid with natural pebbles. The ladder can be made of glass or a rough piece of plastic. All work must be carried out in a completely dry aquarium. You can move a turtle into it after two days. During this time, the sealant will dry out and its smell will disappear.

It's easy to make an island yourself from a piece of tile. This is an environmentally friendly material that will not harm the health of the turtle. The tiles are secured to the aquarium with sealant. However, it is smooth and the animal will slide along the surface. Cover the island with a piece of grass-like rubber mat, pebbles, or make neat notches on its surface using a hammer and chisel.

Also, an island for a red-eared turtle can be made of wood or purchased ready-made in a store. However, the material must be treated for long-term exposure to water. Otherwise, it will quickly get wet, rot and make the water in the aquarium unsuitable for your pet’s life.

The simplest option is an island made of large stones. They are placed in the corner of the aquarium, but first the stones must be washed with soap and boiled in a saucepan for 5 minutes.

If you decide to make an island yourself, it is not recommended to use foam, as it crumbles and the turtle can be poisoned if it swallows a piece. Usually floating islands are made from this material. But they are not suitable for turtles. The animal will not be able to climb onto an unstable surface; moreover, it will turn over under the weight of the animal’s body. You should also not use driftwood and branches as sushi for turtles, since in water they quickly succumb to the process of rotting and spoil the water.

An island for a turtle or a sheltered bank can be purchased at a pet store or ordered online. But this is a more expensive option for arranging an aquarium.

Now I will tell you how to make a mysterious island for your turtle. Red-eared turtles love to climb onto land, so you need to make a raft or island in your aquarium. For example, I have a large aquarium and the water depth is small, and the turtle is probably 3 kilos. You probably already need a whole body for it: D So I made it much simpler.

The water level in my aquarium is about 30 cm. I took a simple plastic basin, put various stones and soil in it that I had at home and placed it in the middle of the aquarium. The turtle became very happy. He climbs on it without any problems and sits. The only problem is that when she wants to go back in, she jumps down sharply, and since the depth is shallow, she hits the bottom. But she has been living like this for several years now and is not discouraged: D

When she was little I did everything very simply. The aquarium was high and quite deep. I cut a small rectangular island out of foam and cut it at an angle on both sides to make it easier for the turtle to climb onto it. Of course, they climbed it with difficulty, but it was better than nothing. It doesn’t look much, but if you want beauty, then you just need to go to the store. They sell a lot there today, rafts and grottoes, etc. Yes, and don’t worry that polystyrene foam is somehow harmful to the aquarium, I’ve used it for several years for crayfish and turtles, never had any problems.

A blank for our raft can be bought at any hardware store

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