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Aquarium Vivariums
The herpetologist finds a limited use for the true aquarium. Gilled amphibians, which derive their oxygen from the water, can be kept in an aquarium and if it is aerated, so much the better. Certain other reptiles and amphibians, while finding it necessary to come to the surface for air, nevertheless spend most of their time underwater, either laying on the bottom or swimming about.
The management of an aquarium for herptiles differs little from that in which fishes are kept. It can have a sand or gravel base, a filter, and an aerator, as well as an attractive arrangement of underwater plants. None of these are essential, however, and some believe in simplicity of design when it comes to cages for animals. Often the presence of numberous accessories will have no bearing whatever upon the welfare of amphibians and reptiles. Or their effect may be detrimental if they interfere in any way with the state of total cleanliness in the tank.
In most cases, the reptiles and amphibians which can be kept in a shoreless aquarium will be comfortable in water of shallower depth than that which would be used for most fishes. Freshwater turtles should be able to reach the surface of the water without swimming, for even some of the very aquatic types will tire and drown, while others, like the softshell turtles and marine turtles, find no inconvenience in periodically swimming to the surface for air.