The Tank
The tank is a 40 gallon breeder, measuring 36x18x16 inches. Breeder-style aquariums are great for turtles because they provide more surface area than typical aquariums, which are generally taller and narrower. This allows you to section off a land area without cutting into the swimming space.
The Filter
I am using a Fluval 404 as the primary filter here. A canister filter allows you to operate with a lower water level than a 'hang on back' type filter. It also provides increased filtration capacity. Do not skimp on the filter. A large powerful filter can reduce your maintenance time by an incredible amount. I do water changes bi-weekly, but can easily get away with doing them only once a month.
The Lighting
Lighting is important for the health of your turtle and the plants you may want to keep on the land section. I'm using a Coralife fixture designed for planted aquariums, featuring a 30" power compact bulb in the 6700k light range. I'm also using a 50 watt spot lamp focused on the basking area to provide an extra spot of warmth. You can find these bulbs and clamp on fixtures at any pet store.
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