Turtles are friends for life because of their lifespan if well taken care of. It means that people with turtles form a lifelong friendship and bond. Turtles become more of family members over time than friends. However, with a market full of turtle aquarium kits, how do you get what’s best for your little aquatic friend? You want to mimic its natural habitat so that it feels safe and comfortable.
In this article, we are going to explore how to get the best turtle aquarium kit, cool turtle tank setups, and review some of the fantastic turtle aquarium kits that are in the market today.
Factors You Need to Know Before Getting the Best Turtle Aquarium Kit
Turtles have a long lifespan, and you want to give your water friend the best you can. There are a few things that most people overlook or don’t know about keeping turtles. Here are some tips to help you provide a haven for your lifelong friend.
The Size of the Tank
The size of your tank will go a long way to giving your turtle a pleasant and comfortable habitat. Your turtle needs to swim and bask just as it would in its natural habitat. Turtle size tank calculator is mostly used to help you get the right aquarium size for your turtle. The minimum tank size for your turtle can be a 10-gallon tank.
However, turtles have an exciting feature that can help you determine the tank size you need. For every inch of your turtle’s shell, 10-gallons of water is required. So, if your turtle’s shell is 5 inches, you’ll require a 50-gallon aquarium for it.
The Type of Turtle That You Want
Different species of turtles have unique needs. There are turtles that are so demanding and would not be recommended if you are a first-timer. Turtles have a long lifespan, and you don’t want to be bored with it. So, it would help if you chose a species that you feel you are connected to. Another reason why it’s essential to know the species of turtle you are planning to keep is the size.
You don’t want to keep buying a tank because your turtle has outgrown the current one. Knowing the species will help identify the maximum length your turtle can grow and help you plan.
The Dual-zone Factor
Turtles need to swim and bask. That’s why they run from the deep blue sea to the shores to get some light. So, when you are trying to mimic this natural habitat, your turtle tank habitat should be able to provide the same. However, the dual-zone factor is also achieved with the right decoration. If you have the right tank size, turtle tank decoration can help you make the dual-zone factor. Remember that the dry area and the swimming area need to provide some balance.
Your Lighting
Turtles cannot generate their body heat, and so they rely on the ultraviolet light to provide them with warmth and also strengthen their shells. The ultraviolet light also helps with bone growth and strength in turtles. In their natural habitats, turtles can spend more than 10 hours a day basking.
That means that lighting will be a crucial aspect when it comes to keeping them. Lighting also encourages feeding and breeding in turtles.
So, if you want your own turtle colony, then you should be keen on the turtle tank lights that you choose. You can go for water turtle tank lighting system that combines UVA, UVB, and heat in one light or get them separate.
The Temperature Aspect
When it comes to keeping turtles, regulating temperature is very important. Mini turtle tanks are easy to monitor and control the temperature. However, you need to add accessories if you are using a big tank that will help you manage the temperature.
High temperatures or very low temperatures can make your turtles susceptible to diseases. Since the temperature is vital to your turtle’s health, you need to get the best accessories to help your pets thrive.
Safety
The safety of your pet is something you need to consider when buying accessories for them. The décor and other accessories may be fun to install, but they have to provide a safe habitat for your turtle.
For example, the ramp that you put in turtle tank habitat should have the proper grip. This will enable the little guy to get to where he needs to get to bask. Getting a tank with high walls may protect your turtle from getting out and from other animals and insects.
So, a good turtle tank and stand can be a good place to start on safety.
The Cost
How much does a turtle tank cost? There are different types of turtle in the market. All living things turtle tank can be different from only freshwater turtle tank. The price of the tan an also is influenced by the size and material used to design it.
However, when you are considering the cost of a turtle aquarium kit, you also need to consider the availability of spares and maintaining the aquarium.
How to Keep a Turtle Tank Clean
How to keep a turtle tank clean starts with the size of tank and accessories you choose. Big turtle tanks are easy to clean as compared to mini turtle tanks. When it comes to keeping the little old wise guys, water quality is crucial for the survival and health of the turtle. They are susceptible to diseases sepsis, shell infection and erosion, among others.
Turtles can be messy because they use the aquarium as a living room, bedroom, and bathroom. So, the water is stained with the turtle’s poop and leftover food. That means that frequent cleaning of your turtle’s tank is necessary.
Install the best filter for your turtle’s tank. We recommend that you choose a turtle aquarium filter that can do at least cycles an hour. That guarantees you that your water will be clean. Also, go for something that has various filtration stages, such as mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. Avoid using substrate in the aquarium as turtles tend to eat gravel at the bottom of the tank and also, it’s hard to clean.
Manually remove leftover food and your turtle’s poop from the aquarium. It is an everyday exercise to reduce the chances of the aquarium becoming smelly or invaded with dangerous bacteria and germs. Filters will then take care of the rest of the waste. It’s also useful to schedule when to clean your filters so as to increase their efficiency. Most manufacturers indicate how frequent the filters should be cleaned. You can also add beneficial bacteria solution in your turtle aquarium to help you break down the waste.
To maintain good water quality in your turtle’s tank, we recommend that you change between a one-quarter to one-third of the aquarium’s water weekly. It might give you a comfortable time dealing with the build up of toxins. Also, when cleaning a turtle aquarium kit, avoid using soaps and bleach as they might leave toxic residues. Use the tanks water or RO water to clean your tank and its accessories. However, if you use soap and bleach, make sure you rinse the contents very careful to avoid introducing other toxins to the tank.
How to know when your tank needs to be cleaned
- The water becomes cloudy.
- The water has some smell.
- The water changes its color.
- The filter is running, but debris is still visible.
Aquatic Turtle Tank Setup
Before you start planning for your aquatic turtle tank setup, you need to understand the needs of your turtle. There are many species of marine turtles, and they all have unique needs. Once you are familiar with your turtle’s needs, it becomes easy to set it up because you know what to put in the turtle tank. Generally, your tank will need to have the water world and the dry area where it can bask.
The best turtle aquarium kit will come with most of the things you need to set up your aquarium. An exciting aspect of keeping turtle is you can show off your decoration skills. Some of the turtle tank supplies you need include:
- A tank
- Aquarium water filter
- Heating and lighting lamps
- Turtle aquarium heaters and thermometer
- Turtle ramps
- Rocks and décor
- Plants
Step 1. Clean the turtle aquarium kit and everything that will go into the tank. This is meant to remove any chemical residue that might be on the aquarium kit. Once everything is clean, you can start assembling the tank.
However, before start assembling the tank, you need to have a tank layout. Plan on where you want the dry area to be and where your cool decorations will go.
Step 2. Install your aquarium filter. Canister filters are usually recommended for turtle tanks because of the workload. Turtles are messier compared to fish. One thing to remember when installing your aquarium filter is to put it in place it will not interfere with your turtle’s activity.
Install your lights. Install your UVA and UVB bulbs to shine the light directly to the dry area. Although the whole tank needs to be illuminated, directing the bulbs in the dry area will help your turtle utilize the light energy it needs.
Install your water heater and thermometer. Fully submersible aquarium heater helps maintain a constant temperature, and the thermometer will assist you in monitoring the temperature. Understand the needs of your turtle, and it will help you provide the right temperature for them.
Step 3. Spread the substrate of your choice at the bottom of the tank. However, if you are using gravel, ensure that the particles are large because turtle tends to eat them. A substrate is optional because they make the tank hard to clean.
Install your dry area. Your dry area should take about 50% of the space in the aquarium. Floating docks are highly recommended because they don’t take much room in the tank and it adjusts to the water level.
Install your decorations and ramp. Place your decoration carefully at the bottom of the tank. However, try and avoid decorations with sharp edges because of the delicate nature of turtles.
Step 4. Fill up the tank with water. Turtles need between four to six inches of water. That gives the turtle enough water to play around and help it turn to in case it flips on it’s back.
See more: How to set up a turtle tank
Turtle Aquarium Kit Review
We have high standards when it comes to the products that we list on our review. When we were testing the turtle aquarium kit, we looked or safety, efficiency, price and maintenance cost, longevity, user-friendly, and style.
1. 20-gallon Turtle Tank: Tetra Deluxe 20 Gallon Aquatic Turtle Kit
Tetra Aquarium Reptile Glass Kit with Two Dome Lamps
It can be a bit challenging to get everything you need if you are new at keeping turtles. The Tetra Deluxe 20 Gallon Aquatic Turtle Kit comes with everything that you need to start up your aquarium. The kit includes a basking dock, decorative filter, screen top, cartridges, heating lamps, and boxwood plant.
The package doesn’t come with an aquarium heater or a thermometer which are crucial for providing the ideal habitat for your turtle. However, the kit comes at a reasonable price, and you can comfortably get the missing essentials. The decorative filter has a three-stage filtration system to eliminate chemical, biological and mechanical wastes.
This 20-gallon turtle tank comes with two dome lights to provide the UVA and UVB light essential for your turtle. The tank is designed with glass to avoid scratches, and it’s easy to clean.
- It comes with a three-stage filtration system.
- The dome lights provide sufficient lighting.
- The turtle aquarium kit is suitable for beginner aquarists.
- The waterfall effect from the filter is unique and attractive.
- You have to buy an aquarium heater and thermometer separately.
2. 40-gallon Turtle Tank: Seaclear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set
Seaclear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set
If you are looking for a flexible aquarium that can accommodate both marine and freshwater, then you might want to give SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium a chance. The tank is made of acrylic, which means you don’t need to worry about breakage.
The tank is light, and you can move it around easily. The smooth edges of the tank give it a panoramic view. You might think you are swimming with the turtle in the ocean. This 40-gallon turtle tank comes with 24” light fixture.
The SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium is spacious enough to accommodate a decorative aquarium and still provide space for your turtle to play. However, this tank comes with a few necessities that you need to set up a successful turtle aquarium. But if you are an experienced aquarist, you might find the space it provides to be ideal to fit your ideas.
- The tank is lightweight and resistant to scratch.
- Smooth edges give it a panoramic view.
- The tank comes with 24” light fixture.
- The kit does not come with all the essentials needed to start a turtle aquarium.
- It’s not ideal for the beginner aquarist.
3. 50-gallon Turtle Tank: Starfire Aquariums With Center Overflow
50 Gallon Starfire Aquariums with Center Overflow 24x24x20″ 10mm
One of the advantages of getting big tanks for your turtle buddies is that they are easy to clean. They also give you enough space to customize and decorate your tank the way you want. So, if you are looking for a big turtle tank, you might want to consider this 50-gallon turtle tank. The thickness of a turtles tank is crucial, and this tank is thick enough to hold the water pressure and everything that you will put in the tank.
The Starfire Aquarium comes with pre-drilled return and drains holes. It can help you connect your filter neatly without hoses overlapping everywhere. Turtles tanks have to be high to prevent the turtle from escaping.
The Starfire Aquariums has a reasonable height that can hold in many species of turtles.
- The edges are well designed and the glass clear.
- It comes with pre-drilled drain and returns holes.
- It comes with a built-in overflow.
- You have to buy the light bulbs, filter, and heater separately.
4. Playlearn Jelly Fish/Sea Turtle Aquarium with LED Lights 3D Backing
Playlearn Jelly Fish/Sea Turtle Aquarium with LED Lights 3D Backing
When you are trying to mimic the natural habitat of your turtle, lighting becomes a crucial aspect to consider. Since turtles spend about 10 to 12 hours busking, having a lighting system that supports that is an advantage. The Playlearn aquarium comes with 3D deep-sea backing and changing LED lights.
These features may help you be able to mimic the natural habitat of the turtle. However, this turtle aquarium kit does not come with UVA and UVB bulbs which are essential for turtle aquarium.
The Playlearn aquarium is easy to use, and most beginner aquarists may find it helpful. You will, however, need to install all the necessary accessories such as aquarium filter, thermometer, and aquarium heater.
- The tank provides enough space to get creative.
- It comes with 3D backing.
- It has a soothing and calming effect.
- The aquarium comes with changing LED lights.
- The kit does not come with the necessary accessories for turtle keeping.
5. Saim Turtle Tank Desktop Aquatic Turtle Kit Aquarium
Saim Turtle Tank Desktop Aquatic Turtle Kit
If you enjoy DIY projects, then you might love the Saim turtle kit aquarium. It comes with a DIY flower basket to help you be able to customize your turtle’s habitat the way you like it. This tank is designed with high-quality plastic that gives you a panoramic view of the landscape.
A submersible pump is included in the kit, and it’s relatively silent. However, you have to get separately other turtle tank accessories such as aquarium heater and thermometer to control the water temperature.
The removable lid is transparent and also provides easy access to the tank. This might be useful during feeding your turtle and cleaning the tank. The aquarium is also lightweight and can be moved around easily.
- The aquarium can be accessed easily through the transparent removable lid.
- It is designed using lightweight and robust material.
- It comes with a submersible pump.
- You have to buy other accessories such as an aquarium heater and thermometer separately.
Conclusion
The turtle aquarium kit you choose for your turtle is crucial for their health and development. The best way to take care of your little old friends is to know which species you want to keep and their needs. Turtle keeping can be very fulfilling, and the decorative aspect of it gives you the freedom to make your own underwater world in your home.
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