Setting up a turtle tank for the first time is an exciting journey that combines both care and creativity. However, it’s also essential to your shelled friend's happiness that you do it the right way and provide them with all they need for a healthy lifestyle. From choosing the right tank size to creating a good basking area and selecting the proper lighting to help mimic their natural environment, there’s a lot to think about - which may feel a little daunting.
In this helpful guide, we’re going to take you through a step-by-step process with everything you need to know about setting up a turtle tank the right way so you can provide your beloved reptiles with an enriched home environment.
Do your research into what your turtle needs
The most important step before you begin your set-up is to do your research, and if you’re reading this blog then you’re halfway there! You’ll want to research what type of turtle you have, as every turtle species is different.
For example, some will stay small and others can grow quite big, so this will affect how much space they’ll require. Many reptile enthusiasts like to start with tanks that will be suitable for their fully grown size so they don’t have to worry about purchasing a second tank or re-introducing their reptile companions to another tank later on.
Turtles also need both a swimming and basking area - however, how much space is needed will change depending on the species of turtle. Some turtles love swimming and will want a bigger swimming area while others aren’t strong swimmers and will require a shallower water area for bathing and a larger basking area, for example;
For semi-aquatic turtles - The basking area should take up to 50% of the tank
For aquatic turtles - the basking area should take up around 25% of the tank
The amount of water you need will also change depending on how many turtles you plan on having as well. As you can see, there’s a lot to consider while preparing to keep turtles, so before you make a start ensure you know what type of turtle you have and all of their requirements so you can meet their needs.
How to choose the right turtle tank
The first step in this exciting journey is to choose a suitable tank for your new reptile companions. When it comes to choosing the right turtle tank a general rule of thumb is that your turtle should have enough room to swim at least 4-5 body lengths before turning around.
You’ll also need to ensure that the type of tank is the right one for your turtles, this should be a purpose-made aquarium (or turtle tank), as regular glass will crack under the pressure of water, so a fish or turtle tank, such as this Ciano Tartarium 80 Turtle Tank, is ideal. This tank comes with a shockproof plastic frame for durability and a dry zone that can be placed anywhere in the tank and moved around so you can build your turtle's tank in line with their needs.
Ciano Tartarium 80 Turtle Tank - £88.95
A great rule for ensuring the glass on your tank is thick enough to hold water is that it should be at least 6-10mm thick - however, this depends on the amount of water your turtle needs. The tank will need to be able to hold the water as well as have enough space for a basking area, so for example, if your turtle needs 60 gallons of water, then you’ll need a tank that’s able to hold over 60 gallons to have enough space for a suitable basking area.
Setting up your turtle tank
Now we’ve talked about the requirements of finding the right turtle tank, we can now move on to the set-up. From where you put your turtle tank in your home to creating the perfect basking area, below we’ve created a list of everything you need to know when creating an environment that will support your shelled friend's health and happiness.
Where to put a turtle tank
Once you’ve found the perfect tank for your turtle, you’ll need to think about where in your home to place it. There are some general guidelines to take into consideration when picking the right place for your turtle tank and these include:
- Tanks are heavy so you’ll need a surface that capable of supporting its weight
- Keep your turtle tank away from direct sunlight as this will increase the temperature of the tank which can make it hard for turtles to regulate their body temperature, and can promote unhealthy algae growth.
Getting a dedicated stand for your turtle tank will mean that not only will it be able to support its weight but it will help to keep the tank elevated and is easy to fit into a corner for a space-saving solution. For example, this Ciano Stand for Tartarium 80 / Aqua 80 is designed to support heavy turtle tanks and comes in a stylish finish for the perfect addition to your home, as well as an extra shelf for keeping all of your turtle supplies neatly tucked away.
Ciano Stand for Tartarium 80 / Aqua 80 - £51.99
Setting up the water for your turtle tank
Now you’ve set your tank up in a good place in your home, it’s time to add the water. Turtles need 10 gallons of water per one inch of shell and a water depth of 1.5 times your turtle's length so that they can flip over and not get stuck.
The water also needs to be at a constant temperature, and the best way to achieve this is with an aquarium heater such as this Exo Terra Turtle Heater. Or if you go with an external filter for your tank, an in-line heater would be good for example, this Aquael Flow Inline Heater can be mounted on the outside to help save space inside your turtle's enclosure. These are a great way to ensure that your tank water is at a comfortable temperature for your turtles - however, for extra peace of mind we would also recommend this Superfish Aquarium Thermometer so you can fully monitor your tank temperature to ensure your turtles are comfortable all year round.
Exo Terra Turtle Heater 75w - £15.71
Aquael Flow Inline Heater - £59.95
Superfish Aquarium Thermometer - £6.99
You’ll also need to ensure that your tank's water is free from harmful chemicals - you can’t just use water straight from the tap as the chemicals can irritate and hard your turtles, skin and eyes.
Some safe water options for filling up your tank include;
- Dechlorinated tap water (using a dechlorinator)
- Aged tap water (The chlorine will evaporate from the water over time, usually this process takes 1-5 days. However, it’s still best practice to use a dechlorinator and test the pH levels before putting it in your tank to ensure it’s suitable for your turtle companions.)
- Bottled water
Creating a suitable basking area with lighting and lamps
As cold-blooded creatures, turtles rely on their environment to warm them up and cool them down and, just like humans, they need day and night cycles. This makes lighting and lamps very important for creating a suitable environment for your turtles.
There are two types of lights you’ll need for a turtle tank:
- A basking light which provides UVA light and heat to your turtles.
- A UVB light that mimics natural sunlight helps them absorb calcium to keep their shell and bones healthy.
The basking light should be between 50-75 watts, such as this Exo Terra Swamp Basking Spot Bulb and this basking light comes equipped with a 35% beam increase, allowing greater distances between the bulb and the basking spot. This light should be placed directly about the basking area, this will be the highest temperature point in the tank.
Exo Terra Swamp Basking Spot Bulb 75w R20 - £13.95
Heating requirements will vary depending on species, however, generally semi-aquatic and aquatic turtles will require;
- A basking area temperature of around 30-35 degrees Celsius
- An overall air temperature ranging between 24-30 degrees Celsius
However, it’s still good to ensure the basking light isn’t getting too hot for your turtles and this can be measured with a reptile thermostat such as this Exo Terra Wide-Range Horizontal Thermometer. This will allow you to monitor and correct the temperature, but it is important to remember the temperature requirements that are specific to your species of turtle.
Exo Terra Wide-Range Horizontal Thermometer - £3.83
A UVB light should be kept on for 12 hours a day to mimic the natural day cycle for your reptile friends. We recommend getting UVB lights that can cover larger areas of your tank, tube lights are quite popular for this reason. These Arcadia LumenIZE Pro T5 UVB Terrarium Lights are a great example of this, as their elongated design will keep your whole terrarium lit up for the perfect distribution of UVB rays and an effective day/night cycle.
You’ll need to consult the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the distance between the bulb and your turtle's shell is sufficient as it can be dangerous for your turtle if the lights are too close. We also suggest changing your UV bulb regularly (around 6 months to a year) as they can stop emitting UV rays after a while, even if they’re still producing light.
Decorating your turtle tank
The last thing to consider when setting up a turtle tank is how you're going to decorate it. You can decorate your tank however you want (this step is mostly just for aesthetics), however, it’s important that you don’t place decorations in a way that will obstruct your turtles while they’re trying to swim or place them in a way that means your turtles could get stuck.
You can decorate your tank based on a dedicated theme, or just go with the flow! Decorating your turtle tank should be a fun activity where you get to express your creativity (so long as your turtles still have enough space to swim and bask)
A great way to decorate your tank is by using a substrate, which is a material used to cover the bottom of your tank such as this - they’re a great way to add a decorative, nature-inspired touch to your turtle tanks.
You can also add in some fake plants (though we would advise making sure they’re strong enough or out of reach so your turtles can’t accidentally eat the plastic). Fake plants are a perfect way to add a colourful touch to your turtle's environment, like with this Marina iGlo Plant Purple Haze Fern. You can also incorporate live plants into your decorations, however, these require more care and maintenance (and can be subject to being eaten!) and if this is your first turtle tank then you might find this to be a bit intimidating on top of all the other new maintenance tasks you’ll be getting used to.
Marina iGlo Plant Purple Haze Fern - £5.99
Overall, you can decorate your turtle tank however you like so long as it doesn’t get in the way of your turtle's activities, having a few plants in the background and some substrate on the bottom of your tank can create a beautiful-looking tank for both your turtles and your home.
Important FAQs when setting up a turtle tank
We understand that setting up a turtle tank for the first time isn’t an easy task and that there may still be lingering questions in your mind. So to help cover those extra areas of confusion we’ve created this FAQ section to answer the most common, and important, questions about setting up a turtle tank.
Do turtle tanks need covers?
Despite what you might believe due to their slow nature, turtles can be pretty good escape artists, and this makes having a cover for your tank essential! But tank covers don’t just protect your turtles from getting out, if you have any other pets it will stop them from getting in because the last thing any pet owner needs is a cat or dog falling into their turtle tank.
The cover should be placed with a few inches of air space between the water/basking area and the lid and should still allow UV rays and your lights to enter the tank.
How deep should my turtle water be?
How deep the water will be will depend on the species of turtle. Some are strong swimmers while others will need shallower water for a comfortable environment, so it’s important to know what your pet requires before the set-up of your tank. However, a general rule of thumb is the water level should be 1.5-2 times as deep as their shell length.
Do pet turtles need a water filter?
Yes, turtles need water filters. In fact, turtles are big waste producers and tend to be messy eaters - so a strong filter is a must for any turtle tank. We would recommend external filters for a turtle tank as they tend to be bigger than internal ones. For example, this Fluval 207 External Aquarium Fish Tank Canister Filter comes equipped with advanced motor technology to help you maintain a healthy environment and impeller speed and force are measured constantly to ensure maximum output and energy efficiency.
Fluval 207 External Aquarium Fish Tank Canister Filter - £109.99
Another good idea is to grab one with a larger filter capacity than the water volume in your tank for optimal filtration for these messy creatures.
Create the perfect environment for your turtles with Aquacadabra
Setting up a turtle tank is an exciting yet daunting journey with lots to consider from the size of the tank to the temperature of the water. Here at Aquacadabra, we know that in order to create the best home life possible for your little-shelled companions, it’s important to ensure you have all the necessary equipment.
This is why we stock a wide range of high-range products from durable turtle tanks to reliable basking lamps to help you create a turtle tank that's worthy of being called home for your reptiles.