Dont let these people fool you. A 55 gal is just fine for a hatchling painted turtle. These turtles live in PONDS when they are wild hatchlings. Your tank can NEVER be too big. Also they are excellent swimmers. Feel free to fill the tank up all the way. A canopy hood is a good idea. You can mount the lights inside and it will prevent escape if you choose to fill the tank all the way up. My basking spot sits on the lip of the aquarium, so the turtle basks above the top of the aquarium.



Planning for the future, you will want a very powerful filter, and a metal submersible heater (turtles can break the glass ones). As for your live plants, expect them to eventually be uprooted or eaten or both.



Maybe I missed it, but I dont believe I saw you mention how big the turtle is. Measure a straight line from the front of the shell to the back (dont measure the curve).



I would keep the water temp 70-75F, and the basking spot 85-90F.



Also there is a difference in turtle sticks. Most turtles I have kept didnt like Wardley brand, they prefer Reptomin. You may also want to treat your turtle to frozen brine shrimp. I place a cube in a cup of hot water, wait for it to dissolve, then dump it in. If your turtle has a hard time catching fish, you can clip the fish's tail or fins to slow it down.

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