Which Turtle Aquarium to Choose?
A few days ago, you made the decision to adopt a turtle. As a social animal, a land or aquatic turtle will need a suitable space to thrive. In captivity, it must live in an ideal environment that replicates the biotic conditions of its natural habitat.
Therefore, setting up an aquarium that meets your turtle’s needs is essential. What kind of aquarium is best for your aquatic or land turtle? Discover some helpful tips in this article to make the best choice for your new friend.
Aquatic Turtle Aquarium
Your water turtle spends a significant portion of its life in the water. Just as a house is essential for humans, an aquarium is crucial for a turtle. Simply using a container and filling it with water won’t be sufficient. There are specific criteria to follow to provide your turtle with a comfortable living environment.
- The dimensions of the turtle aquarium
The size of the water turtle’s aquarium should be appropriate for your pet. The length and width should be seven times the length of your adult turtle’s plastron. This is why you should research the size of your turtle at adulthood to make an informed decision.
It is very important to carefully consider your purchase before buying an aquatic turtle terrarium. For example, a Florida turtle measures between 3 and 4 cm when it is a baby but can easily reach 30 or 40 cm in adulthood.
So, for a Florida turtle, you will need a 2-meter-long water turtle aquarium. A 120 cm or 150 cm aquarium is perfect for housing your turtle even in adulthood. When choosing an aquatic turtle terrarium, in addition to length and width, you must also consider height.
For a turtle measuring around 15 to 20 cm in length, the aquarium should have at least 30 cm of water depth and at least 25 cm of free air space above the turtle’s head when it is on its basking area. For a younger turtle, you can opt for a 120 cm or 80 cm aquaterrarium.
The turtle tank should have a height greater than 55 cm to prevent the turtle from escaping. You can also use a turtle aquaterrarium. A mix between an aquarium and a terrarium, it provides more space for your pet. In this type of setup, you will have enough room to install all the necessary accessories.
- Turtle aquarium decoration
Decorating your turtle’s aquarium means providing it with the necessary accessories for its well-being. These are elements that usually come with the purchase of a water turtle aquarium or tank. Some essential items include:
- UV tube: This helps your turtle metabolize calcium. It should emit at least UV 5 rays. To operate the UV tube, you will also need a ballast. The UV tube helps compensate for the loss of sunlight rays caused by the terrarium glass.
- Reverse osmosis system: Very important, it purifies the water by regulating its acidity (pH) and balancing chlorine levels.
- Turtle aquarium filter: Different from the reverse osmosis system, the turtle aquarium filter should be chosen based on water volume. A high-quality filtration system is essential to maintain good water quality for your Florida turtle or other species.
- Submersible heater: The water temperature should remain between 25 and 26°C, never dropping below this range. The heater should be paired with a thermostat to regulate the temperature of the turtle tank more easily. The turtle’s metabolism varies depending on water temperature.
- Heating lamp: Different from the UV tube, this lamp heats the dry resting area for the turtle. The temperature of this area should be higher than the water, around 31 to 32°C. It is recommended to use two lamps: one for heating, equipped with a 40W halogen bulb, and another with a 5% UVB bulb for UV rays.
Land Turtle Aquarium
Your land turtle’s terrarium should allow it to move freely. It should provide young turtles with the opportunity to grow and feel safe. A proper terrarium is ideal for more exotic turtle species and should also offer a space where the turtle can recover comfortably in case of illness or injury. You can provide your land turtle with:
- An enclosure
An enclosure is an excellent habitat for a turtle. It should meet the specific needs of your turtle. The enclosure size should be large enough to allow the turtle to move as freely as it would in the wild. For an adult turtle, an enclosure of at least 10 to 12 m² is recommended, while a juvenile turtle will need at least 2 to 3 m².
It should be well-exposed to the sun, contain no grass, but rather dark soil or plant compost. Also, create a shelter or hut in the enclosure to protect your turtle from the sun. Fill the shelter with hay for your turtle’s comfort. A water area should also be provided to allow it to bathe, clean itself, etc.
It is possible to plant (radishes, turnips, lamb’s lettuce, cabbage, dandelions, etc.), which will provide food for your turtle. Make a wire fence to prevent your turtle from jumping out. This fence should be large enough. Also, bury the fence about 20 cm under the ground to prevent the land turtle from digging its way out.
When it gets too cold, the turtle will need a small greenhouse to warm up. Avoid making the inside of the greenhouse too hot. The best option is to be able to open the greenhouse from the top.
- What size and materials for the terrarium?
For the dimensions of your turtle’s terrarium, do not rely on its size when it is first adopted. Small when it arrives, this turtle will grow and can reach a large size in adulthood.
The minimum size should be 1 meter to house your turtle for several years. For depth, it should be at least 50 cm, and the height should be equal to its height. It is advisable to choose a glass terrarium with side openings instead of wood material due to its toxicity.
For the substrate, prefer soil over wood chips, which do not allow your turtle to maintain its body temperature in the substrate. Make the substrate at least 10 cm thick, allowing your turtle to occasionally bury itself in the soil for entertainment.
It is also possible to place flat stones to maintain the proper humidity level in the terrarium. Essential accessories include a water point, heating, and a UV fluorescent tube.
Choosing a Turtle Aquarium Coffee Table
If you want to decorate your living space, a turtle aquarium coffee table designed with a specific design can enhance your living room. Unlike a simple aquarium, the turtle aquarium coffee table, which is a more original piece of furniture, ensures the table’s durability. It is a table that sits directly on the floor. This table can be made of wood, plastic, or metal.
It is also possible to have a turtle aquarium coffee table made entirely of glass to give the impression of a larger room. Regarding the price, it ranges from 600 to 900 euros, depending on the design and size.
Cheap Turtle Aquarium
The price of a turtle aquarium varies according to several factors. These costs take into account the dimensions, materials, and places of sale. It is well-known that a larger aquarium is more expensive than a smaller one. You can find different enclosure models in specialized pet stores. They come in various designs and sizes. Prices range between 60 and 150 €.
