If a red ear is to be kept in an aquarium for a short time, there should be about 5 gallons of water per inch of carapace length. Using this rule of thumb will avoid overcrowding and make the container easier to maintain. If you are not interested in viewing the turtle from the side, plastic containers such as storage boxes or cement mixing tubs can be used. The water should be maintained at 80 degrees F or above using a good aquarium heater. After the turtle reaches about 4 inches of carapace length it should be kept in an outdoor setup as described above. Females must have access to dirt in order to lay eggs.