Due to their social and active personality, Diamondback terrapins are becoming popular for pet turtle owners. However, they aren’t the easiest to care for as they require very specific tank conditions. In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of setting up a Diamondback terrapins tank. We’ll cover all the necessities including the water, filtration, substrate, and temperature requirements.
How to set up a diamondback terrapin tank
Every Diamondback terrapin should have a tank of at least 75 gallons with brackish water, substrate, decorations, and a basking area.
Tank Basics
There are a few key things that you’ll need to understand to create an ideal habitat for your diamondback terrapin. Firstly, you need to know about terrapin’s environmental requirements. Diamondback terrapins have specific water, substrate, and temperature needs.
Water Requirements
Terrapins are a type of turtle that enjoys living in what is known as brackish water. Brackish water is somewhat of a hybrid between salt and fresh water. It is naturally occurring and has higher levels of salinity than freshwater, but lower levels of salinity than saltwater.
To create a comfortable environment for your Diamondback Terrapin, you’ll need to provide it with brackish water. While they can tolerate a range of water salinities, they’ll be most comfortable and healthy in brackish water as it mimics their natural environment.
You’ll need to create brackish water, which is not too complicated.
How to make brackish water for Diamondback terrapin
Firstly, you’ll need a hydrometer to read and monitor the saline levels in the tank. Next, fill up the tank with fresh water and add around 2 tablespoons of reef or marine salt per gallon.
After you’ve filled up the tank with water and salt, let it dissolve for a few hours before checking the specific gravity reading on the hydrometer. Keep adding freshwater and salt until you achieve a specific gravity of 1.004-1.012.
Diamondback terrapin tank size
Diamondback terrapins need a tank that can hold at least 75 gallons of water. A good rule of thumb is to provide your terrapin with 10 gallons of water per inch of its shell.
Keep in mind that bigger is always better in this case. If you can get a tank over 100 gallons, it would be perfect.
Substrate Requirements
You’ll need to provide your Diamondback terrapin with a substrate that lines the bottom of its tank. The most common and most recommended substrate option for Diamondback terrapins is crushed coral.
This is an excellent option as it is multifunctional, acting as both a substrate and a nutritional source as crushed coral is very high in calcium.
Calcium is very important for terrapins to help make sure that their bones and shell is growing properly and maintaining their strength. The crushed coral substrate will ensure that your terrapin has a plentiful source of calcium.
Another great substrate is sand. While it can sometimes float to the top of your aquarium, you can avoid this buy putting it into your tank correctly. You can learn more in my video below.
Aside from the substrate, you should also provide your terrapin tank with decorations like rocks, wood, and plants.
They love to play around with big decorations, adding great stimulation to their day.
If you need help finding a place to buy a terrapin, check out my guide on where to buy a diamondback terrapin.
Temperature and Lighting Requirements
Terrapins are cold-blooded animals, meaning their temperature and lighting requirements are quite important and strict. Diamondback terrapins need to live in warm water that is consistently around 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should always monitor the temperature of the water and ensure that it never goes above 80 degrees Fahrenheit as this can be very dangerous. Likewise, the temperature should not drop below 70 as then it will become too cold for your terrapin.
You can heat the water with UVB bulbs, but it is probably better if you have a turtle tank heater.
Diamondback terrapins also need a basking space, which you will need to create. Ideally, this should be easily accessible and spacious. The basking space should be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make sure not to put the bulb within a foot of the basking space, as this is too close to the terrapin. The light should be on for at least 12 hours every day.
Filtration Requirements
Proper filtration is incredibly important to maintaining and promoting good health for your Diamondback terrapin. Diamondback terrapins are known for being quite messy, especially when they eat. Additionally, brackish water can get dirty and smelly pretty fast.
For this reason, you must get a strong turtle tank filter to keep the water clean. Make sure you get a filter that is strong enough for the amount of water you have in the tank.
Final Thoughts
Diamondback terrapins are very enriching animals to have, but they do require quite a lot of care. When setting up your terrapin’s habitat, you need to make sure to keep all their requirements in mind.
Creating and maintaining the right space is very important when it comes to promoting proper health. In this article, we’ve discussed the basics for setting up a Diamondback terrapin tank.
With this comprehensive guide, you’ll be able to set up a functional habitat for your terrapin in no time.
