Are you looking for the best substrate for a red eared slider? If so, you’re in luck! This blog post will provide information on the different substrates that work best for these turtles. We’ll also give you some tips on how to choose the right one for your pet. So, read on to learn more.
What Is The Best Substrate For Red-Eared Sliders?
While there are many options, the best substrate for red-eared sliders are river rocks, sand, and crushed coral.
Each substrate is good for your slider, but each one has some advantages and disadvantages. Some of these are hard to clean, while others are dangerous for your turtle. So it all comes down to how much effort you can put in cleaning the substrate.
Whatever substrate you pic,, you must know its pros and cons. Here we will discuss these substrates and how good or bad they are for your turtle.
It is important to note that I don’t recommend that you use gravel as your substrate.
River Rocks
River rocks can be found in all shapes and sizes, from smooth pebbles to large cobblestone-like particles. They’re usually taken out of rivers where they’ve developed over time through natural processes. When these rocks are in the river, they are not only moved around by water, but they also lose their edges because of all this movement. They’re safe to put anywhere because there’s no chance that your turtle gets cut or injured when using them as decorating pieces.
It is not easy for turtles to eat river rocks. They are usually too big, and even for the smallest ones, turtles cannot eat them. Some people advise removing the smaller rocks.
One of the most significant advantages of using these river rocks in an aquarium is that they won’t move around when your turtle swims and stay put in their place. The heavier weight means it’s not easy for turtles to move them while swimming. Similarly, they will also not move when you are cleaning the tank. This results in less stress which makes them much happier. Another advantage of these rocks is that they are very easy to remove from the tank. You can easily remove these rocks whenever you want to clean the tank.
Make sure to get rocks that are bigger than your slider’s head so that it can’t eat them.
Another thing to keep in mind is that river rocks are pretty heavy. They can add 40-50 pounds to your tank, so make sure your tank stand can handle that additional weight.
River rocks are a great way to add life and character to your turtle’s tank. To learn more, check out my article on the best rocks for a turtle tank.
Sand
Sand is another great option for substrate, but not all types of sand are created equal. You will want large grains of sand that won’t get thrown everywhere when they swim around in their habitat.
Soft sand is not good for them because it can create a mess in the tank. It makes it harder for your turtle to navigate the water, and it obscures your visibility of your turtle.
If you are interested in putting sand in your tank, you should check out my article on the Best Sand for Turtle Tank.
Sand isn’t something to worry about in terms of your turtle eating it. Even if your turtle happens to eat a handful of grains while exploring its surroundings, it will eventually pass through. This is because the particles are so small that they likely will not create any sort of blockage.
Sand is a fascinating substance. It can come in any color imaginable, and even though it’s been treated with chemicals to get those hues- they’re still safe for turtles. Sand is great because it can cover the whole bottom of the tank so nothing can pass through it.
When cleaning the tank, you need to be careful. Sand is pretty small and light, so if your siphon gets too close, some of it will get sucked away with the water. Therefore when you clean your tank, try to keep the siphon far from the sand.
Sand is considered one of the best options, and if you mix it with river rock, all the disadvantages go away, and your turtle will remain safe and healthy.
Crushed Coral
While it isn’t necessarily as popular, crushed coral is another option for substrate for your red eared slider. Not only does it give your tank a cool, beachy vibe, but it also helps maintain a healthy pH level in your tank.
Using crushed coral can be risky though if your red-eared slider starts to eat it. It can cause bad digestions issues. Therefore, you should choose a different substrate if your turtle starts to eat the crushed coral.
If you plan on getting a baby slider, you can learn more tips on my article on how to care for a baby red-eared slider.
Can I put gravel in my turtle tank?
Gravel is not the best choice of substrate for your tank. With gravel, there is always a risk that your turtle might end up eating some of it. If your turtle swallows some gravel by chance, the result could be devastating. Gizzards are delicate organs that must remain clear to function appropriately and digest food thoroughly. If they become obstructed or clogged due to foreign particles like small pieces of gravel, then it can cause a lot of pain and problems for your turtle.
You should know that if your turtle does swallow gravel, your turtle could get sick or even die from it.
Learn More About: How Long Red Eared Sliders Can Live Without Water?
Conclusion
If you’ve been looking for the best substrate to use in your turtle tank, now you know. Although there are many options that will work just fine, we encourage you to consider what is going into this decision and how it might affect your animal’s health. We hope these tips have helped with narrowing down which type of substrate would be a good choice for your red-eared slider!
If you happen to have a box turtle, you should check out my article on the best substrate for box turtles.
