Not only do turtles need things like hiding spots and a source of natural filtration, they also need to be acclimated to their new home. Acclimating your turtle is not difficult, but it does require patience, and a bit of forethought. Be sure that you have everything ready before moving the turtle into its new tank. Failure to properly acclimate a turtle can result in stress and even death, so take care of your pet and give them the best life possible from the start! Keep reading for more information on how to properly acclimate a new filter to a turtle tank.
How long should I let my filter run before adding fish?
Ideally, it should run for a few hours before the first fish are added. If the filter is new and the turtle has never been in it before, let it run for at least a day.
How long should a fish sit in a bag in the new tanks water?
After you have made the decision to purchase a new turtle tank, there is one step that must happen first before introducing your new fish. This step is acclimation! Your turtle needs time to adjust to their new environment. It is advised that your pet sit in a bag for about 20-30 minutes in the brand new water. Make sure to allow them enough time so they can get used to the temperature of the water and breathe more easily through their gills. If you do not give them time, they may suffer from stress and even death! Once your turtle has been acclimated, remove it from the bag and place it in the tank.
How do you drip acclimate without airline tubing?
First, put your turtle into a large jar. Assuming that you have a Betta fish in the tank as well, take out some airline tubing and attach it to both the bottom of the jar and your filter. The idea here is that eventually when the turtle gets used to the drip, they will stop flinching and start eating. Place a small amount of water in the jar so that there is enough room for your new turtle to hide.
How do you acclimate fish quickly?
The first step to the process is to acclimate your fish quickly. If you have just bought a new filter, but don’t want to wait for it to be able to handle the weight of your turtle, try using water from a different tank. Place the filter in the new tank and let it run for a little while before adding any fish or turtles. This will help remove some of the changes in pH and water quality that could stress out your pet.
Next, make sure you have enough hiding spots for your turtle. You can use plastic plants, rocks or any other items around the tank that will provide cover from predators such as hermit crabs and snails.
Finally, get an appropriate sized bowl for your turtle with food and water inside. Place this on the bottom of the tank so that it’s easy for them to access when they need it.
