Turtle Aquarium Ideas

To get a good start on your turtle aquarium, you need to know what type of turtle you have or are interested in getting. There are two basic types of turtles: terrestrial and aquatic. There are many breeds of turtle in each of the two types. Knowing which one you have will guide you in the type of turtle aquarium you need to build.

  1. Tank Size

    • Give your turtle plenty of room to grow. The smallest turtles require at least a 15-gallon tank to maintain their habitats. These living spaces should be evaluated as your turtle grows and adjusted to make more room when necessary. For both types of turtles, a long short tank is preferable to a taller tank with less space from side to side.

    Heat

    • All amphibians need warmth. They do not do well regulating their own body temperature. For that reason, you need to keep a heat source in your aquarium. A heat lamp that sits on top of a wire aquarium cover is the best type of heater since water is in the aquarium. Internal heaters such as heat rocks are often used for other types of reptiles who are more at risk for exposure to water. Position the heat lamp so that only a portion of the tank is lit by the lamp. This allows your turtle to escape the heat when he's too hot and get closer to it if he's cold.

    Water

    • Pets turtles need fresh water available every day. However, unlike most pets, your turtle doesn't just need to drink. He needs a place to swim. For a semi-terrestrial turtle, the pool area should be at least 4 inches deep to allow him to fully submerse his body. Give your turtle room to swim. The water area should take up about half the aquarium space. Aquatic turtles require an aquarium full of water. The bottom of an aquatic tank should have plenty of shelf rock for your turtle to stand on that is tall enough to allow him to reach out of the water. Several floating rocks that he can climb onto should also be provided.

    Filters

    • Terrestrial turtles do not require filters in their tanks. The pool you provide should be easily removed for cleaning and replaced daily. Semi-aquatic and aquatic turtles that live in fully submersed environments where most of the tank is filled with water require a filter to keep the water clean. There are submersible filters and external filters. Use the biggest filter you can afford that fits the size of your turtle aquarium.