Im thinking about getting a turtle and i dont know what size tank i need, how to lay it out and how warm i need to keep it?
Any info on this would be realy appreachiated <is that spelt right???
Cheers Joemuz
I would start with atleast a 20 gallon tank for a hatchling. The rule for tank size is atleast 10 gallons per 1 inch of turtle shell. This turtle shell measurment is called Straight Carapace Length (SCL).
So like I said starting with atleast 20 gallons is okay, but the bigger you can start with the more you will save in the future! Turtles grow fairly quick and will quickly grow out of their tanks unlike some fish. That is why I started with a 55 gallon tank for a 1.5 inch turtle He is now 3 inches, 1 year later. This means I will need to upgrade once he is 5.5 inches SCL. Im planning on making a small 100 - 120 gallon pond in my backyard. That is another piece of information to take into consideration, males grow upto a maximum length of 10 inches and females can grow upto 12 inches. But you will not be able to tell a turtle's sex until they reach atleast 4 inches in length. So be prepared to have a turtle that has the potential to grow upto 12 inches long (about the size of a dinner plate) and you may need to provide that turtle with a 120 gallon tank in the future. And most aquatic turtles live 20 years+!! So this is a long term pet and it might even outlive you! So before you go out and by yourself a turtle, make sure you are willing to make this comitment.
He is now 3 inches, 1 year later. This means I will need to upgrade once he is 5.5 inches SCL. Im planning on making a small 100 - 120 gallon pond in my backyard. That is another piece of information to take into consideration, males grow upto a maximum length of 10 inches and females can grow upto 12 inches. But you will not be able to tell a turtle's sex until they reach atleast 4 inches in length. So be prepared to have a turtle that has the potential to grow upto 12 inches long (about the size of a dinner plate) and you may need to provide that turtle with a 120 gallon tank in the future. And most aquatic turtles live 20 years+!! So this is a long term pet and it might even outlive you! So before you go out and by yourself a turtle, make sure you are willing to make this comitment. 
