If you are considering keeping a pet turtle, you may be wondering how to choose the best tank, how to set it up, and what makes a good turtle tank. Although turtles are tiny, the tank you choose must offer sufficient room and a healthy environment that meets their needs.

Before we review the best turtle aquariums and tanks, here are a few things to remember:

Quick Tips to Help You Buy the Right Turtle Tanks

• The perfect habitat for a turtle provides sufficient light, clean water, warmth, and a healthy diet. It won’t be cheap when starting from scratch, but this is the only way to keep your turtle happy and healthy.
• As for the best aquarium, you will be looking for a sturdy structure with lots of rooms to explore. First, measure the length of your pet in inches and multiply by 10. So, a 7-inch turtle will need 70 gallons of water. Turtles are aggressive swimmers, so they need to enjoy the complete lengths easily.
• Since they are cold-blooded creatures, you need to heat the water between 77 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit for warmth. A UV light is also needed to regulate the metabolism by boosting the conversion of Vitamin D.
• Turtles also like to hide from view sometimes, so you also need to provide this opportunity for them inside the tank. There are many options, but you must factor in the sizing of the tank. Make sure they have a basking dock to sweat it out.
• Turtles also produce lots of waste, so you also need a way to clean the water as you change the water regularly. Invest in a filter to prevent your hard-shelled friend from getting ill. Avoid choosing the small reptile filters and take a larger canister filter for efficiency.

Our Picks for the Best Turtle Aquariums

Tetrafauna Viqaquarium All-In-One Terrarium

This option is more of a tank accessory rather than a tank. The TetraFauna Viquarium can convert an ordinary tank to an aqua terrarium (a combination of a terrarium and aquarium). This means you’ll have dry and wet areas where your turtle can just relax.

All you have to do is place it inside the tank and watch your turtle swim peacefully and climb the slopes for basking. Many users love the setup that offers aesthetically pleasing effects, just like a waterfall.

The Viqaquarium offers more than just appeal in the tank. It also comes with a 3-stage filter that removes any impurities, including extremities. However, it’s advisable to have a bigger tank (20 to 55 gallons) to achieve ample swimming pace for the turtle.

TetraFauna designed the tank with user convenience in mind by ensuring it’s adaptable on either the left or right side of the aquarium.

TetraFauna offers a 2-year warranty period, meaning the company will replace it with any defects. Moreover, the customer support is excellent, but you have to show proof of purchase. Most users love that it’s easy to install this system, but it won’t work in bigger tanks due to the less powerful filter.

Pros

• It’s functional and visually appealing.
• It includes exclusive filters
• Easy to set up
• It has both terrestrial and aquatic realms

Cons

• You need to purchase a tank separately

LANDEN 20c 2-Gallon Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank – Best Rimless Aquarium

If you are looking to maximize the view of your beautiful turtle and aquatic life, getting a rimless option is the way to go. The Landen Aquarium Tank offers outstanding visibility, featuring a low iron glass that provides a 91%- and 360-degrees unobstructed view.

If you search for the most attractive aquarium tanks out there, you’ve probably found a solution. The glass aquarium is 6mm thick such that you feel close when you’re watching the turtle.

This is made possible by the low-iron glass with excellent light transmission, offering superior clarity. The deep blue rimless aquarium will always be crystal clear with occasional cleanings.

The frameless aquarium features a black foam leveling mat that makes the setup easy and is silicon-free for clarity. As with every other terrarium, they are always running out of stock due to high demand.

Coming from such a renowned brand, you can rest assured you’re getting quality. Users love that the company ships the glass aquarium in a bubble wrap with copious amounts of Styrofoam, and the tank is also double boxed. This not only prevents breaks but also ensures no scratches.

Pros

• It offers 91% transparency
• Has an 8mm thick glass
• The package includes a Nano foam leveling mat
• Shipped in a durable steel case

Cons

• It’s pretty pricey

Landen 60p 23-Gallon Rimless Turtle Tank

The Landen 60P Aquarium is a perfect option for creative aquarists or owners who want their turtles to shine. The quality of the glass is impressive at 6mm, offering an almost flawless view of your aquatic pet. The low-iron glass is durable and allows light to penetrate while maintaining a simplistic appearance.

While the aquarium doesn’t come with much, it does come with a leveling mat. It’s a nifty accessory that you place at the surface where the tank will sit to ensure the surface is even. Additionally, the mat offers grip and traction, preventing sliding of the base.

The corners and edges have silicon rimming, which aids in durability while ensuring no leaks from these cracks. Landen pays special attention by rimming using hands to ensure the best possible results. It’s no wonder the product has so many positive reviews on build and quality. On top of the appealing design and build, it’s one of the best turtle aquariums in the range of $250.

The aquarium also provides the option to fully customize the tank components such as filters, lights, and even the type of cover you’d like. While it does not come with everything to get you started, it’s worth it for owners with an idea about a specific style they want for their aquarium.

However, not everyone is happy with the Landen 60p, mainly because it does not include anything else. This is not an issue for experienced owners, but new beginners might also have to budget for the accessories. Additionally, conventional lids may not fit well in this tank.

Pros

• It’s well built, and well-priced
• Offers good value for money
• Comes with a low-iron crystal clear glass

Cons

• Does not include accessories
• Lacks a lid

Tetra Aquarium 20 Gallon Tank Kit

The Tetra 20-gallon turtle tank offers numerous features at an entry-level price. The kit includes a filter, heater, artificial plants, and much more. It’s the ideal choice for owners who are just starting out. At a glance, the first thing you have to see is the stylish, slim and futuristic LED hood. It brings out a shimmer effect on the water, making the aquarium look underworld and unique. Besides, the color fusion LED allows you to set specific light, or you just let the LED lights turn with the cycle.

Don’t worry about power consumption because the hood utilizes energy-saving LED bulbs. Not only do they lower the power bill, but they can be replaced once damaged. Tetra designed the kit with their Whisper filter. The filter is well made but what stands out is the quiet operation while doing a good job. Additionally, it comes with a mini-UL heater to heat the aquarium and requires a low amount of wattage.

A unique feature of this tank is the artificial but realistic plants used for visual appeal. Still, the two wonderland multipacks offer an excellent hiding spot for your pet whenever they feel stressed out. The plants sway with the current to create a friendly undersea vibe. The tank also provides a handy feeding door that allows you to feed the pet and remove waste without lifting the hood.

Pros

• It comes with a 20-gallon LED hood that offers the right amount of light
• The 3-stage whisper filtration keeps the aquarium clean
• Offers detailed instructions for assembly
• It looks stylish and beautiful
• Offers good value for money

Cons

• Has a strong filter flowrate

Omem Portable Reptile House Terrarium

OMEM portable reptile houses feature larger areas on a spacious ladder terrace with a beautiful design. The terrarium comes in three sizes to fit all turtle sizes, from hatchlings to adults. The portable design has a non-slip bottom and an easy-to-use upper cover that will come in handy while taking your turtle on the road.

The reptile house has 360-degree ventilation to provide adequate fresh air for your turtle. A feeding port is also present, and it is easy to feed your turtle through the port without opening the upper cover. OMEM terrariums are also sturdy, and the walls will absorb accidental impacts keeping your turtle safe.

Pros

• It has a sizeable internal area that can fit multiple turtles.
• Portable design that’s easy to carry around.
• Non-slip bottom to prevent sliding around.
• Sizeable feeding port to keep your turtles fed while on the move.
• PVC material for a sturdy build that can withstand impacts.

Cons

• Some customers complained about the quality of the feeding port closure

Coco West Large Turtle Tank Starter Kit

Coco West offers its large turtle tank setup starter kit for turtle owners looking for an all-inclusive solution to their pet housing needs. This saves you countless hours of searching for individual parts online and worrying if they will be compatible with each other. The kit includes a large turtle tank, electric water filter, UV heater, simulation turf, colored stones, and a simulation coconut tree to enrich your turtle’s habitat.

The large turtle tank features a new separation design that allows you to open the bottom drain and the separation filter layer to change and drain the water. The firm relies on high-quality ABC material to make the tank so that its firm, non-irritating, transparent and non-toxic.

The partition panel functions as an anti-escape ramp with anti-skid strips for your turtle to play on. You can also use the panel to partition a breeding and hibernation space for your turtles.

Pros

• The ramp has anti-skid strips to increase your turtle’s grip while moving around in the tank
• The UV bulb eliminates harmful bacteria and keeps the tank heated up
• It comes with a hidden electric water filter to remove solid waste and reduce the frequency of changing the tank water
• It comes with 250 grams of colored stones and simulations to keep your turtle entertained

Cons

• Some customers complained about the quality of the turtle tank.

Binano Turtle Aquarium Kit

Binano turtle aquarium kit is a perfect addition to your turtle’s habitat. It features a high anti-escape fence and ample internal space for your turtle to play around in. The firm relies on a triple-level filtration system whereby the upper layer is porous to allow large particles to pass through the middle layer. This is sloped to increase the sedimentation rate before moving on to the final layer of the filtration material.

 The filtered water is pumped through the rain shower outlet to simulate the natural ecology that your turtle would live in the wild. To drain the tank and clean out the filter, simply detach the bottom drain without separating the leaching layer.

Pros

• The design incorporates a hidden bottom filtration system without extra space.
• The kit comprises high-quality plastic materials.
• Come with a basking platform allowing your turtle to stay dry when it’s out of the water.
• The heightened transparent board will prevent your turtle from climbing over and out of the tank.

Cons

• The kit doesn’t come with a UV bulb critical for such a setup.

Reptile Habitat Aquarium Tank

Turtle owners will love the reptile habitat aquarium tank with its built-in ramp and platform for basking. To aid your turtle in climbing on the ramp, the manufacturer includes a nonslip strip. This kidney-shaped aquarium is made of solid plastic that’s durable and has an elevated feeding area to reduce the amount of clutter your turtle leaves behind after feeding. The tan has a 3-gallon water capacity which is excellent for baby turtles.

Pros

• Uniquely designed to house a baby turtle.
• The design includes a docking ramp area if you need to add one.
• Your turtle gets a raised basking platform and a feeding trough.
• Non-slip strips on the ramp make it easy for your turtle to climb on it without sliding.

Cons

• The kit contains only the tank. You will have to purchase a filter pump and a lamp.

Glass SILICAR Turtle Tank

This glass SILICAR turtle tank for sale is best for baby turtles with its three-liter water capacity and maximum water depth of 2.5 inches. The terrarium design includes a raised basking platform and a bottom drain. Dividers create five areas within the tank, including a feeding area, swimming area, and a play area.

The anti-slip crawler makes it easier for your turtle to play around without losing grip. This package ships as four pieces of 5mm glass and a five-inch ultra-white base. The glass walls are transparent, allowing maximum light transmittance. Due to its thickness, this glass terrarium is sturdier than acrylic models, and it can withstand deformations even with prolonged use.

SILICAR includes a green planter that will keep your turtle preoccupied. The 20cm drain pipe that’s included is convenient for cleaning.

Pros

• The tank has five functional areas to fit all of your turtle’s needs.
• Ultra-clear glass walls make it easy to see what’s happening in the terrarium.
• The bottom drain design makes it easy to change the water and get a 20cm drainage pipe.

Cons

• The glass wall is only 5.5 inches tall, and some baby turtles can climb over it.

Buyer’s Guide – What to Look for In a Turtle Tank

The tank you choose is very important because this will be your turtle’s entire world. The size and quality have a direct impact on their long-term health and wellbeing. First, you need to understand the turtle’s needs and decide what to get in your price range.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a turtle tank:

Materials used – most pet turtles are aquatic, to spend most of the time inside the tank. As a result, you need a tank with sturdy materials to sustain the water pressure without cracking and breaking. Most brands use glass because it’s sturdier and cheaper, but you could also check out acrylic, which is lighter and unlikely to break but is more expensive. The strength of a tank relies mostly on how thick the sides are and the overall craftsmanship.

Tank clarity – aquariums are made different, with some allowing more light penetration than others. Look for glasses with low iron as these offer enough clarity, almost as same as acrylic tanks. If you are aiming for maximum clarity, you could check out rimless tanks, which allow you to see all the contents.

Capacity and dimensions – the size of your turtle tank is determined by your turtle size and, ultimately, your turtle species and turtle tank price. The bare minimum or the rule of thumb is to have 10 gallons of water for an inch shell size. However, since an aquarium is a one-time investment, you should buy the biggest tank you can afford so that you won’t have to buy a new one when your turtle outgrows the tank. If you have the space and budget, you can predict the size of your turtle at maturity and get a bigger tank.

Here are some turtle species and the size of the tank each needs

Turtle species	Tank size
Box	70 gallons
Map	80 gallons
Painted	55 gallons
Yellow-Bellied Slider	100 gallons
Wood turtles	80 gallons
Musk and Mud	50 gallons
River Cooter	80 gallons
Diamond terrapin	75 gallons

Additional components – Complete turtle tank kits include filters, lights, heater, thermometer, a substrate and other necessities for a turtle. Some even have a submersible tank and sump. All that you need is to include the filter media, and you’re good to go. If you just need a tank without the kit, make sure you have these essential accessories. If you intend to customize your tank, you can just get the tank without accessories.

Easy cleanup – like all other pets, a clean environment is necessary for a turtle to remain healthy. As such, choose a tank that accommodates your turtle needs, but it should be easy to clean. Avoid tanks with nooks and crannies.

Is It Safe To Have Two Turtles In One Tank?

Turtles are not sociable, and their temperament can differ from species to species. There are a few factors to keep in mind as follows.

Species and Care Requirements

The first consideration when housing two turtles are the species because some are more compatible than others. You don’t want to put a red-eared slider in the same aquarium as a matamata because these two have very different care requirements.

However, it may be possible to house a red-eared slider with a painted red ear because these two have similar diets, similar temperature requirements, and similar husbandry. The chance of housing two turtles together is also dependent on other factors.

Size and Age

Additionally, the size and age of both turtles, should be factored in before deciding to house them together. If one of them is more aggressive than the others, there’s a higher risk of fights.

If both turtles are of the same size and age and have similar species or care requirements, you can house them together. There are, of course, other factors to look at.

Gender Differences

The gender of the turtles also comes to play when deciding whether to house two turtles together or not. It’s difficult to determine their sex at a young age because males and females may look the same. But once they get old enough, the difference is prominent.

Males can become aggressive and fight with other males to assert dominance. So, you should avoid housing two males, but two females can get along just fine. A male and female in the same cage is fine if you want hatchlings, but if not, you should consult a turtle breeder.

Tank Size and Equipment

As said earlier, you should cater to the 10-gallons per inch of shell. So, if your turtle is 4 inches long, they need at least 40 gallons of water. Should you decide to keep two turtles in the same tank, you can add more space for the second turtle.

A good rule of thumb is to add at least half as much space. In other words, you’d need to at least five gallons of water per inch of the shell for the second turtle.

Of course, this is the bare minimum, and it’s always better to choose a bigger tank. Besides the size, you also need to invest in a proper filter and water heater to cater to the needs of both. The right filter should have at least two times as much capacity as the size of the tank.

The bigger the filter, the less cleanup you’ll need to do and the cleaner the tank. Similarly, the basking area should be big enough for both turtles, and they should be able to stay far from the other. You could even create two basking areas on the opposite sides of the tank, so each turtle chooses where to go.

It’s all about providing them with enough room to acclaim their own space and have enough resources to share without fighting for dominance.

How to Keep Your Turtle Tank Clean?

The tank is where the turtle spends more time, so it needs to be kept clean to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria. To keep the aquarium clean, there are a few tips you can follow to keep a healthy and vibrant pet.

Have a Spacious Tank.

You may not think tank size affects cleaning, but it does. Smaller tanks get dirtier faster, are harder to clean, and limit the range of natural behavior your turtle can express. A simple way to determine the tank size is to ensure the size of the tank meets the bare minimum requirement of 1-inch = 10 gallons.

Because turtles are extremely messy, a large tank is easier to clean, and the dirt does not concentrate faster. If you intend to add other decorations, ensure the tank is larger to provide enough space for the turtle and accessories.

If you have more than one turtle, make sure to increase the space by half times bigger for each extra turtle.

Clean and Minimize Leftovers

Secondly, you need to remove all the leftovers in the tank to prevent odor and the growth of harmful bacteria. When the old food combines with the droppings, it rots, causing a foul odor that is a massive threat to turtles. To do this, use a small fishnet and then vacuum the tank.

You could also look for a second container big enough for the turtle to submerge and use for feeding purposes. It’s an effective method to reduce leftovers in the tank.

Ensure you clean the container with water before putting the food and turtle inside for feeding. Then remove the turtle and take it back to the main aquarium. Ensure to dispose of the water safely because turtles carry the salmonella bacteria.

Also, do not keep the container near the common surfaces in your home to prevent the spread of this dangerous bacteria.

Use a Powerful Tank Filter

A turtle tank needs to have a powerful filter because turtles produce more waste. Canister filters are more preferred here because they are kept outside the tank. So, the water is pumped to the canister for filtration and then pumped back into the tank.

Ensure the filter is durable and should be at least 2x more powerful for the tank or even triple if you plan to bring more turtles in the same tank. It’s best if the filters offer other types of filtrations to remove more toxins, odor, and even biofiltration. Still, submersible filters get the job done by removing particles and bad smells.

Regardless of the filter you use, make sure to maintain the filter regularly to ensure more efficiency. While doing so, do not use the tap water to clean the filer as this kills the good bacteria.

Regular Cleaning

We also recommend you do a thorough cleaning once a week to keep your pet’s environment as clean as possible and keep the odor away.

Also, make sure to change the water in the aquarium regularly, preferably a third to half of the water every week, and complete changes every month. Also, consider using an algae scrubber to remove the algae on the sides.

Positioning the Turtle Tank

Taking note of your available space, you should consider how the positioning of your turtle’s tank will affect it. This is because high temperature and sunlight presence encourage the growth of algae that can have adverse effects on the quality of the water, and it’s pretty unsightly. 

Having the turtle tank further from the direct sunlight will also be beneficial for your turtle with the reduction in heat exposure which can be difficult for your turtle to regulate as it is a cold-blooded reptile.

Make sure that you place the tank on a sturdy base or on the ground floor level to prevent accidental knocks that can be disastrous. While at it, take note of the position of the drainage valve and position the tank in a way that makes it easy to access the drainage release whenever needed.

Turtle Tank FAQs

What is the best tank size for a turtle?

You should always pick a tank size based on the size of your turtle. For a baby turtle, the size is smaller than what you’d pick for an adult turtle. It’s advisable to get a bigger tank, in the beginning, to cater to avoid replacing it when the turtle outgrows it.

How do you select the right size for a turtle tank?

When choosing a turtle tank, the general rule of thumb is the 10x multiplier, where every inch of the shell should require a gallon. Measure the turtle shell length and multiply that by 10. For instance, the African Side-neck aquatic turtle measures one or two inches as a baby but grows to about 9-inch as an adult. The optimum tank size for this species is 90 gallons.

How long can I keep my turtles out of the tank?

Getting the turtles out of water can help them experience and exercise. Depending on the species of turtle you have, some can stay out of water for more extended periods than others. However, for most aquatic turtles, you should ensure they spend most of the time inside the tank.

How many turtles can I keep in a 20-gallon water tank?

A 20-gallon tank can only accommodate one or two turtles that do not exceed inches in length.

How often should I clean the tank?

Turtles are incredibly messy, so you must practice regular cleaning the tank. In general, you need to clean the tank using a net to remove any large floating particles. In addition, you need to do partial water changes every week and complete changes every month to maintain high standards.

Can I fill the tank with tap water?

In most cases, tap water will work just fine. However, you need to ensure the PH is neutral at 7 or 8. Also, test for chlorine and dechlorinate as well as other harmful chemicals.

Why does my turtle tank contain bubbles?

It’s normal for the tank to have bubbles due to the filter. As the water flow in and out of the filter, some gases pass to and produce bubbles.

Besides, turtles breathe a little while within, which may also cause a few more bubbles.

Can you put a turtle in a fish tank?

Fish and turtles share habitats in the wild and captivity. However, you have to remember that turtles live partly on land. As such, add rocks, gravel, and basking areas to cater to your turtle needs. Also, ensure the space is enough because turtles can eat the fish. Also, the filter has to be strong because both aquatic pets excrete a lot of waste.