Turtles make good pets. They have interesting personalities, live for very long, and are easy to take care of. It is no wonder that this reptile is becoming an increasingly common pet choice among homeowners.

There are some items added to a turtle’s enclosure, and one of them is rocks. When making a purchase decision, you are bound to wonder;

Which are the best rocks for turtle tanks?

River rocks and other natural rocks make some of the best choices for turtle tanks. Each has a plus and a minus to it. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference and the ultimate goal.

Rocks are added to turtle tanks for two main purposes; substrate and basking. Substrates are not a compulsory addition to a turtle’s tank, but you can add them for aesthetics. However, there is one almost compulsory rock; a basking rock.

The rocks can still add a decorative aspect to your turtle’s enclosure when used as a substrate. However, they can be harmful to the turtle, so you need to choose them carefully.

Let’s have the benefits of basking rocks in a turtle tank, how to select the best substrate or basking rock, the best to choose from in the market, and much more.

Top 3 Best Turtle Substrate Rocks

Substrates are not a mandatory addition to the turtle’s tank. But if you are going to get some, then you need to get the best. Here are the top 3 substrate rocks for your pet turtle. They vary in size and cost, so you can choose what fits your budget.

Disclaimer: Substrates should not be used with alligator snapping turtles and the African side neck species; the base of their tanks should be left blank.

Royal Imports Large Decorative Polished River Rocks

These river rocks by River Imports are made of premium natural stones. They are eco-friendly and non-toxic. In addition, they are long-lasting. If you are on a budget, they will make a good choice as they are some of the most affordable choices available.

Round and smooth around the edges, they are easy on your turtle’s feet, and there is zero risk of cuts. Smooth edges also protect your glass aquarium from scratches.

Their shape and design act as decorative items in the enclosure. Speaking of decoration, they are available in a white, natural, and light color. You get to choose the ones that aesthetically blend well with your space.

Royal Imports decorative substrate river rocks come in small size and medium size too. A medium-size is a better selection to ensure that your turtle doesn’t confuse them with food.

The rocks’ length ranges between 1.5 inches and 0.25 inches. In terms of shapes, you get a variety of oval, slim, thick, and others that are oddly shaped.

A package comes with about 600 rocks, which is enough for most aquarium sizes. Once you buy, thoroughly clean them before putting them in the aquarium to avoid bacteria, fungi, parasites, or algae transfer into the aquarium.

Pros

• They are eco-friendly and non-toxic
• Smooth edges for the tank and turtle’s safety
• Affordable
• Available in various patterns, colors, and sizes

Cons

• Some may break during packaging
• The small size option is not ideal for turtles

CFKJ 18 lbs Aquarium Gravel Natural Polished River Rock

These river rocks by CFKJ are polished to make them smooth. So you have no reason to worry about your pet’s safety. They will also not leave scratch marks in your aquarium.

CFKJ aquarium polished river rocks come in a natural color that gives the tank a natural aesthetic. Because they are natural stones, their color varies between white, black, and shades of brown. They also hardly fade, and you can be sure that they will retain their natural color for a long time.

In general, their size ranges between one and two inches, and they weigh 18 lbs. If your tank size is between 50 and 75 gallons, two bags of these rocks will be enough.

This is a smaller option compared to the Royal Imports one. Therefore, only go with these CFKJ river rocks if your turtle species don’t grow bigger than 5 inches in upper shell length. They also cost more and might not be a good option if you are on a tight budget.

Pros

• Come in a variety of natural colors
• They are polished for a soft effect
• They are from natural rock
• Come in tinnier sizes

Cons

• They are expensive
• It might not be ideal for big turtle species

Exo Terra 10 lbs. Turtle Pebbles

Lastly, we have these Exo Terra pebbles that weigh 10 pounds. They come with smooth edges to minimize the risk of injury to the turtle, especially for the foraging and bottom-dwelling species. These pebbles make a good coating for the base of your turtle’s enclosure.

Exo Terre turtle pebbles come in small and large sizes. The large ones have a diameter of about 0.3″ – 0.4″. We recommend choosing these for turtles with a shell length of 4 inches and below. Their size may not be suitable for larger turtle species which may confuse them with food.

Turtles and turtle tanks need to be cleaned often; else, they will stink. You have little to worry about with these Exo Terra pebbles in terms of cleaning because they are pretty easy to clean. Put them in a basin of water, wash them, and disinfect them for around 15 minutes. Cleaning them is as simple as that.

These pebbles come in a variety of colors and patterns to give the enclosure a more natural look.

Before use, ensure that you rinse the pebbles and disinfect them. It is also ideal for sorting them out one by one to ensure no broken ones with rough edges. Breakage is common during packaging and transit.

Pros

• Has smooth edges
• They come in a variety of colors
• Very easy to clean and are multi-purpose
• Adds a natural appearance to the enclosure

Cons

• Hard for turtles to dig or burrow through
• Needs cleaning before use

Top 5 Best Turtle Basking Rocks

Let’s now have a look at the top 5 basking rocks you can find today and the aspects that make them a good fit for your turtle’s needs.

Carolina Custom Cages Natural Habitat Rocks

We start with a brand that makes some of the best basking rocks today; Carolina Custom Cages.

It is a natural rock, and as such, each piece is unique. The manufacturer selects each of them to ensure that each has a tentatively flat side to be used as the base. This makes the rock remain stable in the tank.

Carolina Custom Cages’ natural habitat basking rock provides sufficient porosity. It gets warm enough for your turtle’s needs but not too hot to burn it. Basking spots getting extremely hot are common with slates and glazed ceramic tiles. It is costlier compared to others in the market, but it is worth the money.

In addition to turtles, the rock is also a great choice for other reptiles and amphibians. It comes in medium and large sizes. The medium-sized rocks measure 6″ x 8″ while the large one measures 7.25″ x 12.625″. You get to choose the rock size as per the size of the turtle.

In terms of weight, medium-sized ones weigh about 6.98 lbs. while the large ones weigh about 8 lbs.

The color variety is also excellent with this basking rock as it comes in Watarrka rose, deep maroon, painted desert, and Uluru red colors. So can choose a color that blends with your tank and home.

Pros

• It comes in different colors
• It is a natural rock
• You can get it in different sizes
• It promotes natural heat

Cons

• It is expensive
• It is not sturdy enough

Cakocaco Tortoise Basking Platform

This basking rock by Cakocaco features rock boards that are hand-made purely using stones. The design makes them a great choice for turtles as it is suitable for various temperature conditions, even with scorching outdoor heat.

It is impressively versatile as it comes with a feeding area, bathing spot, and resting area. In addition, the basking rock comes with four non-slip pads placed on the bottom side. This prevents the rock from sliding, which can lead to the turtle getting injured.

Cakocaco tortoises basking rock comes in a large size, so it’s going to be an excellent choice for those with giant turtles or multiple turtles in the same tank. Unfortunately, it will not work for those who keep turtles that don’t grow big.

The stone measures 12.7″ x 8.3″ x 1.1″ and weighs approximately 1.98 lbs.

Because the rock boards are hand-made and no chemicals are used in the process, this basking rock is harmless and odorless. You can be sure that your turtle is safe. In addition, that they are from 100% rock which makes them retain appropriate temperature. They also absorb heat from the UVA lamps or heat lamps a lot easier.

Cleaning is easy as you only need to use a damp cloth to wipe them.

Artificially cutting the turtle’s nails/claws is risky. It can result in the pet getting infections because they have small blood vessels in the nails. Worry not. With this large Cakocaco basking rock, your turtle will be able to grind the nails as the stone has an unpolished tough texture.

Cakocaco gives free compensation should any damages occur to the basking stone in the course of transport. So you can order the rock without worrying about transit damages.

Top of Form

Pros

• It uses a natural rock
• Quite easy to maintain
• It doesn’t get too hot
• It is a great alternative if you are looking for a large basking rock

Cons

• Needs strict care during transport to avoid breaking
• It is only available in a large size

Linifar Reptile Basking Rock

This is also one of the best basking rocks for turtles, thanks to its natural texture and is from 100% stone. It features a non-slip design with slip pads at the bottom of all sides, so it doesn’t slip. In addition, there is dragging as the turtle claws.

Linifar reptile basking rock is not made using chemicals, so it is non-toxic, non-polluting, and harmless to your turtle. It also has a natural rock color and hard texture, so your turtle gets almost a similar feel as it would in the wild.

The basking rock is multi-purpose and has a leaf shape with smoothened edges. As such, it provides warmth in winter and the needed coolness in summer. The smoothened edges are for protecting the turtle from injuries. Even more? It can be used for feeding and as a resting spot.

To keep this Linifar reptile basking rock at a natural temperature, spray it with water for some time. On the other hand, you can place it beneath a heat lamp and leave it to absorb the required amount of heat.

Further, the hard texture provides the turtle with a platform for grinding their nails. Because turtles’ nails can grow quite long, they may break and prevent your pet from crawling well and expose the animal to infection. The sharpening platform helps keep the nails at an ideal length.

It measures 11 inches by 5.5 inches.

Pros

• It features a non-slip design
• It is harmless and non-toxic
• Quite stable
• An ideal choice for cold and warm seasons

Cons

• It is prone to breakage during transit

Chneeu Large Habitat Basking Rock for Turtles

This Chneeu’s habitat basking rock is made from quality resin. The material is eco-friendly and also durable. Further, it is non-toxic and safe for aquatic life.

In addition, it is easy to clean, making it an excellent choice for turtles. Turtles and their environment needs to be maintained at optimal cleanliness. Failure to this, the turtle and tank might stink besides the turtle getting an infection.

Check your tank size and turtle needs before selecting the size to purchase. A perfect size ensures that the turtle can bask comfortably. It should also not occupy a greater part of the enclosure.

The basking lamp has a stepped design that allows the turtle to move up and down easily. It also gives the pet a chance to engage in a climbing activity. This not only makes it a perfect choice for turtles and tortoises but also frogs, lizards, geckos, and other tiny reptiles.

Chneeu habitat basking rocks have an aesthetically pleasing design. This makes them multi-functional as you can use them for decoration as well.

Pros

• The design allows the turtle to move freely
• It features eco-friendly materials
• Remains stable inside the enclosure
• Non-toxic and safe for aquatic life

Cons

• Fragile during transit

Alblinsy Fbaby Reptile Basking Platform Rock Plate

This rock basking platform is cut from real rock. Therefore, it is pollution-free and harmless to your pet. It also means that the basking spot is highly temperature resistant, has a sturdy texture, and has a natural color. This gives your turtle basking feel similar to that in the wild.

The real rock doesn’t affect the tank’s water pH or the water quality. Its natural feel allows your pet turtle to grind their nails. So you don’t have to expose the turtle to infections by artificially cutting the nails. Grinding nails can also keep the turtle active.

Fbaby reptile basking rock is non-slip, thanks to the non-slip parts on the lower part of each rock plate.

It is also versatile. The rock can be used as a feeding bowl and bathing spot. Another appealing aspect of this rock is that it is pretty easy to clean.

The basking rock is highly absorbing and gives the pet an excellent moisturizing effect. You may pour water on the rock plate for some minutes to allow it to absorb water. When the water is evaporating, it creates moisture for the turtle. The water absorption feature also means that the rock maintains the ideal humidity balance in the tank.

Pros

• Made of non-toxic material
• Quite versatile
• Easy to clean
• It is highly absorbing

Cons

• Quite fragile during transit

Why Do Turtles Need a Basking Rock?

Turtles are cold-blooded species; they are unable to control their body temperature internally. They can only increase their body temperature in a cold environment by basking to absorb warmth.

For this reason, in the wild, turtles are often seen lying on rocks, logs, and other protrusions while spreading out their legs under the sun. They spread them to collect more heat in addition to what their shell is absorbing.

When their body heat is improved, turtles’ metabolism functions become elevated. As such, their digestion improves, their immune also gets better.

·       Absorption of UV Rays

Another reason why turtles bask is that it helps them absorb the critical UV rays.

In captivity, turtles are provided with a source of UV light. This light occurs naturally in the wild. Some lamps have both UV-A and UV-B light while others only have one of these. UV-A light is necessary for the turtle’s metabolism enhancement and breeding and helps with mood regulation.

On the other hand, UV-B light is required to produce Vitamin D3, which is vital in the growth and development of body parts such as bones. In the absence of UV-A and UV-B light, a turtle’s health will deteriorate, and it might eventually diet.

·       Prevents Infections

Basking enables the turtles to dry out and stay warm. This makes it difficult for the turtle to develop fungal infections because fungi and bacteria thrive in a damp environment. Such infections can significantly affect the growth and well-being of the turtle or even lead to death.

In addition, a habitat where turtles cannot bask makes them get stressed, which affects their health condition.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Buy the Best Rocks for Your Pet Turtle

There are certain features to consider when choosing a rock for the enclosure. The features separate an excellent choice from a poor one for your pet’s needs. Here’s your guide on how to find the best basking rock for your pet turtle.

1.     Size

A substrate should be big and heavy enough to remain stable in the turtle tank. It should also be big enough for the turtle not to mistake it with food, as is common when gravel is used as substrate. The good thing is that most rocks meet this criterion.

The minimum size of substrate rocks should be a diameter not below 0.5 inches.

Package size is also vital when choosing substrate rocks. The bigger the pack, the better. It is both convenient and saves your money because buying in bulk is often marginally cheaper.

A good basking rock needs to be spacious enough to allow your turtle enough space to move around. Even when basking, your turtle still needs to be able to wander around in the basking area.

The size of your pet turtle will determine the ideal size. If your pet turtle is a species that grows big, ideally bigger than 5 inches when mature, you need to choose a size that will accommodate the turtle’s growing needs. It is recommended that you select a rock that would fit two or three turtles.

Most turtle basking rocks come in a medium or large size. However, a basking rock shouldn’t fill the entire enclosure.

2.     Design

Substrate rocks need to be simple enough to make cleaning easy. Go for those with a round, smooth design around the edges. This design guarantees that the turtle will not be cut or harmed.  Such rocks are common in rivers, as the prolonged duration in rivers makes them get smooth and round.

How easily can the turtle climb the basking rock?

This is a question to bear in mind when choosing the basking rock. An easy to climb basking rock will encourage your turtle to bask. Go for a design that has a sloped end where the turtle can rise from the water to bask.

In addition, a good basking rock should have a rough texture. It encourages the turtles to grind their nails. Also, it facilitates grip so that your pet does not slip while basking. A rough texture also enables the plastron to dry. When the plastron does not dry, the turtle may develop serious infections. Avoid smooth textured basking rocks.

3.     Stability

Another aspect to consider is how stable the rock remains inside the enclosure. It should not wobble as this can lead to injuries if the turtle falls.

As mentioned in the aspect of size, your choice of substrate rock needs to consider the ease of moving the rocks inside the tank. Substrate rocks don’t need to be very stable. However, if you need them to stay in a particular arrangement, choose a size and design that will not wobble even when your pet crawls on them.

Non-slip pads are a great addition to a basking rock. They are placed on its edges and prevent the rock from slipping. In addition, the best stone for turtles’ basking should be stable enough to withstand the weight of at least two to three mature turtles.

4.     Materials

In most cases, turtles basking and substrate rocks are made from stones, ceramic, or tiles. The best material should be safe for aquatic life and non-toxic. It is always best to buy from a reputable company.

Basking rocks made from 100% rocks are always a good choice because they do not retain much heat and have a natural color. Whichever material you opt for, ensure that it does not get too hot to the extent of burning the pet.

A material that absorbs water is also a good choice for a basking rock as it gives the turtle the necessary moisture in the enclosure. It also creates balance in the enclosure’s humidity. Some materials are great for providing warmth and coolness; they make an excellent choice for summer and winter.

5.     Safety

Safety is another important characteristic thing to think about. The rock should not hurt the turtle, and your pet should not be able to ingest it, leading to impaction.

Impaction occurs when the turtle eats an item that they are unable to swallow. It causes problems with the turtle’s digestive tract and extra strain on the vertebrae. In some cases, it might cause paralysis.

Rocks with smoothened edges make a great choice for both the basking and substrate. Some manufacturers achieve this by polishing the rocks during production. Thoroughly inspect the rocks before adding them to the turtle’s enclosure.

Some manufactures treat the rocks with chemicals. Avoid using any items that are treated with toxic compounds in the tank. The turtle’s skin might absorb the compounds leading to health problems. Look out for rocks that are non-toxic and aquatic life-safe for the well-being of your pet.

6.     Budget

Last but very crucial, how much money are you willing to spend?

Most highly-priced products deliver great results, but you don’t need to break the bank to buy them. There are also some which are over-priced. On the other hand, you shouldn’t overlook quality at the expense of your turtle’s health.

The key thing to consider is how cost-effective the product you choose is. Cheaper choices might not be as good, but you should be able to find a balance between your budget and a quality product.

Helpful Tips for Encouraging Your Pet Turtle to Bask

Now that we know the importance of basking to your turtle, how to choose the best basking and substrate rocks for your pet, and the brands to choose from, let’s look at ways in which we can encourage these reptiles to bask.

It is a vital exercise to the turtle and its overall health.

1. Provide Suitable Conditions

Ensure that the basking spot for the turtle is at an ideal temperature.

Different turtle species have different basking temperature requirements. For instance, a red-eared slider’s basking spot needs to be 90 – 95 degrees Fahrenheit, while the water needs to be lower by between 10 – 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

It should not be too hot as it might burn the turtle, thus discouraging your pet from basking. In addition, the turtle will hardly leave the water to bask, which is not healthy.

On the other hand, it should be warmer than the water in the enclosure so that the turtle often comes to the spot to dry off and returns to the water to cool off. If the water or basking temperature is too low, the turtle might become sluggish and less likely to bask.

2. Suitable Equipment

A basking spot needs to have a heat source, UV light source, and a ramp. Some sources of heat provide both UV light and heat, while others don’t. Whichever the case, ensure that you provide your turtle with both.

A heat source provides the turtle with much-needed warmth. Choose one that produces enough heat for your turtle’s needs.

The ramp needs to be suitable and easily accessible. Your turtle needs to get out of the water and climb onto the basking spot with ease. Else, it will avoid basking. A ramp facilitates this. Choose a basking rock with a sloped area submerged in water if you don’t have a ramp.

Ideal equipment includes choosing a basking rock that doesn’t slip or wobble. The stability of the basking area is very crucial in ensuring that the turtle doesn’t avoid basking.

3. Ideal Positioning

The UV light needs to be well-positioned to encourage the turtle to bask. The best spot is right above the basking area. Choose a height that delivers the ideal warmth for your turtle.

If you keep multiple turtles in the enclosure, beware that some species stack on top of each other when basking, so you might need to place the lamp even higher.

A basking spot should not be placed at the center of the enclosure. This is because the enclosure needs to have a warmer and a cooler side. By placing it at the center, the turtle may not have a cool corner to rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Rocks from the Environment?

Yes, you can. Even so, there are advantages and downsides to this. If you opt to get rocks from around your home, it will save you money. However, the chances are that they are not polished. This puts your pet turtle at the risk of cut-related injuries. With the right equipment, you can opt to polish them yourself.

The best place to get these rocks are in rivers. They tend to be rounded and smoothened, which is what you need. You should also sterilize them by boiling them for 10 minutes or using any other effective aquatic life-safe sterilization method.

Are Rocks a Good Substrate for Turtles?

Big rocks are a good choice of substrate for turtles. However, smaller ones are not ideal as the turtle may ingest them. This is also a risk that occurs when you use either gravel or sand as a substrate. Therefore, rocks with a more than half-inch diameter are a better substrate choice.

Do Turtles Need a Basking Rock?

Yes, turtles need a basking rock. These reptiles are cold-blooded; as such, a source of heat is necessary to keep your pet warm. In addition, they need crucial vitamins from the sun to keep their health thriving.

A basking spot allows turtles to have an escape from the water and access these vitamins. The basking spot will often have a heat source and UVB light that imitates that produced by the sun.

For How Long Should my Pet Turtle Bask?

There is no direct answer to this. The duration your turtle should bask depends on how the animal feels. There may be days when it basks for only one hour and others where it basks for up to eight hours. In general, basking for between 2 and 8 hours is decent.

Some turtle species also bask more than others. For instance, sliders, tortoises, and most map turtle species are known to bask for long.

Provide the turtle with an appropriate basking habitat. There’s no need to stress over how long your pet will bask.

Leave the light on for 10 – 12 hours. At night, switch it off to avoid interfering with the turtle’s sleep.

How Often Does a Turtle Bask in Captivity?

The frequency entirely depends on the turtle. However, a turtle should bask daily beneath the UVB light source on a dry basking spot. On the other hand, over basking can give the turtle burns.

How Long Can a Turtle Go Without Basking?

Turtles can go for long without basking. However, during this period, the health and well-being of their shell would be significantly affected. Turtles need to bask for drying and absorption of UVB light, which is vital in their bodies.