Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Build a Nesting Box Into a Turtle Aquarium

A turtle kept as a pet requires a cage that will provide it with a place to sleep and access to food and water. The turtle also requires temperature control and enough room to move. Build the necessary components into a nesting box so that a turtle can be kept safely and live healthfully. Supplies from a hardware store will be needed, as will tools from around the home to make the nesting box into a Turtle aquarium.

Things You'll Need

Aquarium gravel
Plastic mesh roll
Ruler
Scissors
Thumbtacks
Gooseneck lamp
Infrared bulb
Thermometer
Water dish
Hollowed out rock
Terrarium shrubbery

Instructions

- 1
  Place the nesting box horizontally on a table where it will not be disturbed by family or pets. Pour aquarium gravel into the box. Smooth the gravel across the bottom of the box with your fingers. Continue to add and smooth the gravel until the bottom of the box is covered in a 1-inch deep layer.
- 2
  Place the end of the plastic mesh from the plastic mesh roll against one end of the box. Run the plastic mesh across the top of the box until you come to the other side. Cut the mesh off the roll with a pair of scissors.
- 3
  Measure 1 inch down from the top of the box at one end. Make a dot with a pencil on the side of the box at the 1 inch mark. Place one end of the cut plastic mesh against the mark on the side of the box. Run a thumbtack through each end and the middle of the mesh and into the box.
- 4
  Stand a gooseneck lamp next to the aquarium, and screw an infrared bulb into the lamp̵7;s socket. Plug the lamp̵7;s power cord into an outlet and twist the neck down so that the bulb is aimed into the aquarium.
- 5
  Turn on the lamp, and let 10 minutes pass. Place a thermometer inside the aquarium so that it is being radiated on by the lamp. Let 10 more minutes pass and read the setting on the thermometer. If the setting isn̵7;t in a range between 88-92 degrees F, rearrange the position of the lamp until the temperature is correct.
- 6
  Place the water dish into the gravel at the other end from where the lamp̵7;s light is hitting. Twist the dish so that it goes into the gravel. Fill the dish almost to the rim with fresh water.
- 7
  Add a hollowed out rock to the aquarium in which the turtle will be able to hide. Push terrarium shrubbery into the gravel. Place the turtle inside the Turtle aquarium you have made. Run the mesh across the top of the box to the other side and attach it to the side with thumbtacks.

Other Hobbies