The Best Turtle Tanks
Whether you want to upgrade your pet turtle's home or are considering adopting one, you're probably wondering what type of tank would work best for them. A tank is the most important purchase you'll make as a turtle owner. The right tank creates the ideal home for these creatures, allowing them to thrive like they would in their natural habitat. However, with so many turtle tanks on the market, choosing the right one is a difficult task. To help you with your search, we've rounded up some of the best the internet has to offer.
What to Look For
We recommend keeping the following questions in mind when shopping for a turtle tank: What size tank does my turtle need? Is the tank made of high-quality, durable materials? Does the design resemble what they’d find in the wild? During our research, we found several tanks that met these criteria to varying degrees. Our favorite was the turtle tank from Tetra, which comes with all of the essentials, including dome lamps and a water filter. We were also impressed by the turtle tank from Geegoods, which is compact, making it an excellent choice for small turtles. Read on to learn more about our favorites and discover the right one for your turtle.
Tetra Aquatic Deluxe Turtle Tank
Turtle paradise
If you’re considering adopting a turtle or have recently welcomed one into your home, this turtle tank kit from Tetra has everything you need to ensure your pet gets started on the right foot. The 20-gallon aquarium is large enough for most turtles and is made of durable, scratch-resistant glass that should last for many years. Its two-hinged top with separate doors allows you to open the tank while keeping the domed lights in place. We also like how the included filter is concealed inside the basking platform. It blends in nicely with the habitat and creates a relaxing waterfall.
Pros:
- Decorative filtration system blends in with the habitat
- Comes with everything needed to get started keeping turtles
- Double-hinged doors make it easy to access turtles
- Made from durable, scratch-resistant glass
Cons:
- Not the best option for large turtles or homes with multiple turtles
Geegoods Terrapin Lake Turtle Tank
Home sweet home
If you’re looking for a simple turtle tank that gets the job done, look no further than this one from Geegoods. The attractive tank will look good in your home or office and is light enough to carry around, making it easy to change its location as needed. Its compact design is an excellent option for small spaces. But don’t let the size fool you — it’s packed with amenities for your pet, including a breeding area, swimming area, and a plastic tree.
Pros:
- Space-saving design
- Lightweight and easy to move from place to place
- Plenty of room for baby turtles to dive and play
- Has five different areas for basking, feeding, swimming, hibernating, etc.
Cons:
- The basking light and filter are sold separately
Repti Zoo Tempered Glass Turtle Tank
Roam around
If you have a large turtle or multiple turtles, this tank from Repti Zoo ensures they have the space they need to thrive and grow. The 120-gallon tank is made of durable, tempered glass, allowing you to observe your reptilian friend throughout the day. Its front sliding door makes it easy to feed pets, and its screened top ensures your pet gets the light they need. Since it’s so spacious, it gives turtles plenty of space to engage in the behaviors they would in the wild, including hiding in burrows and basking in the sunlight.
Pros:
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Big enough to hold multiple turtles
- Raised bottom ensures adequate ventilation
- Large screen on top of the tank for optimal UVB and infrared penetration
Cons:
- Assembly instructions could be more detailed
Amosijoy Glass Turtle Tank
Safety first
This turtle tank from Amosijoy features a triple-layer design, giving turtles three distinct areas for diving, swimming, basking, and feeding. The multi-function layout helps promote your turtle’s well-being, keeping them healthy and happy. That’s not all; it has a protective bottom layer, a filtration layer, and protective glass to ensure your reptilian friend’s safety. There’s plenty of room for turtles to climb and bask, making it an excellent choice for new turtle parents.
Pros:
- Available in three sizes
- Glass has silicone edge rubbers to keep turtles from escaping
- Mechanical filtration system to remove organic and big particles
- Food and bathing areas on different levels
Cons:
- Most turtles will outgrow this tank
Rypet Baby Turtle Tank
All the necessities
If you have welcomed a baby turtle into your home, this tank from Rypet will ensure they have everything they need to grow up healthy and happy. Its small size makes it ideal as a nursery tank that’ll keep your baby turtle safe and healthy until they’re ready to expand their horizons. The starter kit comes with everything you need to build a habitat for your pet, including a basking light that simulates sunlight, ensuring turtles get the UVA/UVB rays they need.
Pros:
- Multifunctional area designed to simulate turtles’ natural habitat
- Can be used as a bathing tank or quarantine tank
- Practical design
- Great for hatchlings
- Made of durable, safe material
Cons:
- Not large enough for adult turtles
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my turtle’s tank?
Since turtles tend to make messes in their tanks, you’ll need to keep an eye on your pet’s habitat and clean it as needed. As a rule of thumb, you should aim to clean the tank at least once every ten days, depending on the type of filter you’re using. You should also do in-between cleaning daily by removing any large particles floating in the water. Once a week, check to make sure the water is pH balanced. If you notice the water level is getting low, replace it to ensure it’s at the correct level.
Can turtles live in a fish tank?
You can adapt a fish tank so turtles can live in it. You’ll have to place land masses inside the tank that are large enough to accommodate your turtle’s entire body so they can relax and bask as they would in their natural habitat. Also, turtles need a stronger pump because they produce more waste than fish.
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