Best bet is to start off with the 20 gallon tank because he/she will grow out of the 10 gallon to quick. You do not need any subtrate but they do sometimes like to bury themselves in the rocks. Make sure to keep the water shallow to start him off( i'd say 2 to 4 inches) just until he/she gets a good feel for the water and is able to swim and is comfortable to explore the tank. Keep the water between 72 to 78 degrees as a hatchling. Give him a Natural Sun Light bulb with a rock or two to climb out of the water and get some sun but also have somewhere he can hid to get away from the light as well. The Natural Sun bulb is inportant so his/her shell can develope and harden up. For food put a few guppies in there (buy a dozen or two) but give him reptomin(thats the brand I prefer) 1 to 2 times a day and try to make sure he does eat some of the food. Snapping turtle are pretty dirty so i'd get a filter(just something small like a fuval 1 or 2) That about all I can think of right now, it seems like alot but it really isn't that bad, just keep the water warm and shallow, get a filter and make sure to have a Sunlight bulb. If you have any other questions just ask and ill help best I can.

This is how I have cares for all my snappers since they were hatching and I now how 4 common snappers from 5 to 10 inches, 1 Hypo Snapper that is about 4 inches and a hatching flordia snapper and all are healthy and happy.

Mitch

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