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Longliveyourturtle.com is an educational site for aquatic turtle owners, future owners and hobbyists interested in general turtle care information. All information provided is accurate to the best of Long Live Your Turtle LLC’s knowledge and belief, but is presented for educational and sometimes entertainment purposes only. No information on this site should be considered authoritative with respect to human health or animal health and husbandry. Full disclaimer can be found here.

TURTLE SETUPS ARE HARD! BUT LLYT IS HERE TO MAKE IT EASIER. AFTER YEARS OF TRYING, FAILING, AND SOMETIMES PREVAILING, THE BEST OF THE BEST PRODUCTS THAT EXIST TODAY (WITHIN BUDGETING REASON) HAVE BEEN COMPILED AND ARE PRESENTED BELOW. LOOKING FOR A HANDY LIST OF THESE PRODUCTS FOR SPECIFIC TANK SIZES? CHECK OUT THE SHEETS HERE! LET’S GET GET BUILDING CHALONIAN CREW!

TURTLE TANK CHECK LIST

  • TANK/AQUARIUM
  • STAND
  • FILTER
  • WATER HEATER
  • BASKING AREA
  • BASKING LIGHTS
  • TANK LIGHT
  • TANK COVER
  • SUBSTRATE
  • DECORATIONS
  • FOOD
  • UTILITY
BEST TURTLE TANKS
  • Large Volume – General rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch of turtle shell length. Get the biggest tank you can, upgrading is expensive. However, hatchling turtles and some turtle species may not be strong swimmers. Start small or with shallow water for these shelled fellas.
  • Wide Tanks – Turtles are pancakes (fish are sails). Therefore turtles prefer wider tanks to comfortably move around in.
  • Good condition – Avoid used/old tanks. Turtles are relatively destructive and have a hard shell and generally large mass. Additionally turtle tank setups can require additional features (e.g. basking docks) installed on the tank. This extra load can be questionable for older, less structurally sound tanks.

40 Gallon Tank

~ For Turtles Between 1-4 inches ~

75 Gallon Tank

~ For Turtles Between 4-8 inches ~

125 Gallon Tank

~ For Turtles Between 4-12 inches ~

BEST TURTLE TANK FILTERS

    • High Flow Rate – Typically aim for flow rate 6-8 times tank size (e.g. 6×75 = 450GPH)

    • Large Filter Media Volume – More filter media provides for more beneficial bacteria to clean tank water. Biological media is king. Try to have at least 50% of your filter media specifically support beneficial bacteria (e.g. ceramic rings, sintered glass, etc.)

    • Reliable – Filter runs without issue for years (with the occasional cleaning) 

    • Easy Maintenance – Inevitable filter cleaning should be easy. Shutoff valves, easy priming, and accessible filter media is essential here.

FLUVAL FX6

~ PREMIUM FILTER ~

PROS: 

  • Pumps over 900 Gallons Per Hour

  • Large filter media volume

  • Easy to access media baskets

  • Efficient filtration mechanics

  • Easy to use hose valves

  • High quality parts meant to last

  • Kink free tubing

CONS:

  • Higher Price Tag

  • Tank hose clamps difficult to remove after installation

  • No UV Sterilizer

SUNSUN HW-704B

~ BUDGET FILTER ~

PROS: 

  • Cheap price tag

  • Pumps up to 525 Gallons Per Hour

  • Built-in UV Sterilizer

  • Large customizable filter media baskets

  • Easy cover snap clamps

  • Simple filtration mechanics

  • Easy to use hose valve

CONS:

  • Less durable build

  • Tubing is green

  • Intake pipe is not adjustable

  • Tank tube clamps finicky

BEST TURTLE TANK BASKING DOCKS

    • DIY THIS IF YOU CAN. Commercial products are limited and may not fit your needs

    • Basking area should be correct temperature for species (typically between 85 and 95 degrees F)

    • Must be escape-proof

    • Must be dry and easily accessible to your turtle

    • Must accommodate appropriate basking lighting

SMALL TURTLES

~ Floating Basking Docks ~

PROS: 

  • Cheap

  • Simple Installation

  • Fits most tanks

CONS:

  • Suction cups are not reliable

  • Cannot fill tank completely

  • Hard to incorporate lighting

MEDIUM TURTLES

~ Thrive Elevated Basking Loft ~

PROS: 

  • Fits wide tanks (up to 18.5 inches)

  • Secure

  • Can fill tank completely

CONS:

  • Metal can rust over time

  • Ramp difficult to climb

  • Turtle nails can get caught in screen

ANY SIZE TURTLE

~ LLYT Turtle Basker 5000 ~

 

 

PROS: 

  • Fits large turtles

  • Fits wide tanks (up to 18.5 inches)

  • Easy to climb ramp

  • Easy to incorporate basking lamps

  • Looks great

  • Can fill tank completely

CONS: 

  • Assembly Required

  • Lacks cover for open side of tank

 

BEST TURTLE TANK LIGHTING

    • Turtles rely on heat to regulate body temperature and is essential for a healthy metabolism

    • Turtles require UVB to synthesize vitamin D (and prevent MBD).

    • Light and UVA are beneficial to turtle’s metabolism natural cycles

    • Lighting should be safely installed and safe for your turtle

BULB

~ Mercury Vapor Bulb ~

PROS: 

  • Provides heat, UVA and UVB all-in-one

  • Comes in various wattages to match setup requirements

  • Only one lamp fixture required

CONS:

  • More expensive bulb

  • Typically more powerful than standard bulbs and must be located higher from basking area

Lamp Fixture

~ Deep Dome ~

PROS: 

  • Fits Mercury Vapor bulbs

  • Designed to withstand high heat

  • Simple, universal design

CONS: 

  • Larger than mini domes

  • Some brands are less reliable

 

BEST TURTLE TANK SUBSTRATES

    • Does not trap waste/debris

    • Looks aesthetically pleasing

    • Safe for your turtle

    • BONUS: provides enrichment for your turtle

Natural

~ Pool Filter Sand ~

PROS: 

  • Natural Look

  • Relatively cheap

  • Provides enrichment for curious turtles exploring their tank

  • Self cleaning (with active turtle rummaging around in it)

CONS:

  • Requires cleaning before installing

  • Can get in filters

Easy Maintenance

~ Ceramic Tile ~

PROS: 

  • Looks sleek

  • Super easy to keep clean

  • Choose from a variety of colors/designs

CONS: 

  • Tiles most likely need to be custom cut to fit on the bottom of the tank

  • Can scratch glass if sand/rock gets caught underneath

 

BEST TURTLE TANK DECORATIONS

  • Aesthetically pleasing

  • Adds more full environment for your turtle to explore

  • Safe for your turtle

  • Looks good no matter where it is in the tank (turtles like to move things around no matter how perfect you think the placement is)

DRIFTWOOD

~ VARIOUS ~

PROS: 

  • Natural Look

  • Provides enrichment for curious turtles exploring their tank

  • Looks good anywhere in the tank (since turtle’s move everything)

CONS:

  • Can be expensive

  • Larger pieces are hard to find

PLANTS

~ Fake Seaweed ~

PROS: 

  • Looks natural

  • Design is difficult for turtle to destroy/consume

CONS:

  • All plants fake or real will likey be bested by a turtle and may not survive the onslaught

  • Fake plastic

  • Bottom can come loose

BEST TURTLE FOOD

  • Turtle pellets are the most affordable turtle food and almost guarantee you are giving your turtle the right nutrients

  • Choose food based on turtle size and maturity (hatchlings require different food size and nutrients

  • If you want to go at it with fresh food try these (fruits and meat should be given as a treat):

    • Vegetables: Dark leafy greens (like romaine), shredded carrots, squash and zucchini, mustard greens, peas. Avoid spinach.

    • Fruits: strawberries, bananas, blueberries, pears, figs, apples and currents. Avoid citrus.

    • Meat: Fish, mussels, clams, snails, insects, worms.

 

PELLET FOOD

~ Ultra Fresh ~

#1 VEGETABLE

~ ROMAINE ~

 

 

BEST TURTLE TANK UTILITIES
  • These items may be boring but are important.
  • Water heaters are required for tanks that are subject to temperatures less than turtle’s preference
  • Timed outlets let you control lighting times and can keep all components plugged in in one place
 

TIMER

~ Zilla Power Center ~

WATER HEATER

~ Titanium Submersible Heater ~