My adults have hatched a ton of babies this spring and I am looking to give them away to people that I know can take care of them, so I wrote up this document to give to people to make sure they know what they are getting in to:

For two baby red-eared sliders

I used examples on PetSmart’s website. I often go to the local PetSmart on Broadway and Craycroft when I need something right away. But also, since I have a shit ton of turtles, I try to buy larger quantities of supplies online on sites like Amazon or pond supply stores. PetCo also has a good selection of the same supplies (mostly).

Tank
These guys will outgrow this tank, there is nothing you can do about that, but starting off with an 80-gallon right now so you don’t have to upgrade in the future is a little impractical. I recommend you start out with a 10, 15, or 20 gallon tank. You also should not fill it up all the way. Right now I have all 8 babies in a 10 gallon tank filled just a little more than halfway. I suggest you do the same for your two. You can also buy rocks at wal-mart in the arts and crafts section to cover the bottom of the tank. DO NOT GET the tiny colored rocks for fish aquariums … the turtles WILL EAT THEM. Make sure the rocks are much larger than the heads of the babies. I bought four bags for $3 each to cover the bottom of my 10 gallon.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3804448&lmdn=Fish+Aquariums+%26amp%3B+Bowls

Basking area
In the tank you are going to need an area for them to bask. I recommend a small or medium Zoo Med turtle dock. You can also, of course, stack up rocks or bricks to make your own custom basking area.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752662

Heat and UV
Just as important as the basking area is a UV lamp and heat lamp. The UV bulbs are a little costly but last around a year. You are going to need to buy a lamp and a bulb. For the heat lamp, I just use a high wattage light bulb (not florescent, they don’t give off any heat!). You should position the UV lamp directly above the basking area. The heat lamp can be placed anywhere else, generally aimed towards the basking area. Optionally, I recommend getting a timer to control the two lights. I have my lights turn on at 7 am and turn off at 9pm, which is a little longer than it needs to be, 12 hours is what you should aim for.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3577443 (bulb)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752571 (lamp)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147170 (timer)

Thermometer
You also need to monitor the heat of the water. The temperature should stay between 74 and 80 degrees.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3788229

Filter
Lastly, you need a filter. As the turtles get bigger you will need to upgrade filters. I have gone through dozens over the five years I have had my turtles in tanks, but that is only because I didn’t realize at the time that when it comes to filters you should always go for overkill and you just may end up having enough filtering power. Most filters are designed for fish, and turtles aren’t fish, lol. The filter you get, obviously has to fit whatever size tank you get and assuming you get a 10-20 gallon tank, I recommend something like this. Keep in mind, you will need to replace filter media, probably, at least once a month.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752610&lmdn=Product+Type

Food
I feed the hatchlings Zoo Med’s hatchling formula. You can feed them this until they reach 4-inches, then you can upgrade to Growth formula, and then after 6 inches you can give them maintenance formula. You should also treat them to something different every once and a while, like dried shrimp, worms, or crickets.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10951328 (hatchling)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752647 (growth)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752594 (treats)

Summary:

Remember, these are the UP-FRONT costs only. You will need to buy food, replacement bulbs and new filter media periodically.