Aquarium Ideas for Turtles: 15 Amazing Choices You Should Try!

ByLinda Corley Updated

Are you looking for ideas for an aquarium that your turtle can enjoy? Well, look no further! This article will provide some great ideas for aquariums that will be perfect for your turtle. We’ve got something for everyone, from small tabletop tanks to large outdoor tanks. Plus, all of the aquariums listed here are easy to set up and are sure to provide your turtle with plenty of fun and excitement!

Essential Features of Turtle Aquarium Set-Ups

Equipment Needed for Turtle Aquariums

  • A large tank capable of holding at least 100 gallons of water
  • A filter system that can remove waste and debris
  • A heating system that can maintain a comfortable temperature for the turtles
  • A secure enclosure in which to keep the turtles
  • You will need an air pump, heater, and filter. You may also want to purchase some live plants for your turtle to enjoy.

How to Set Up a Turtle Aquarium?

Choose the Right Tank

A turtle aquarium should be at least 12 inches wide and 18 inches long. You can buy a giant aquarium to house multiple turtles with a smaller tank. Larger tanks are also better for housing more turtles and providing more space to play.

Get the Right Equipment

You’ll need a water filter, a heater, and some basic turtle supplies, such as logs, branches, and hiding places. You can find these supplies at most pet stores.

Set Up the Tank

Place the tank in an area that’s warm and dark. Use a dripping light to spot spots for your turtle to hide.

Add Water and Set Up Filters

Add as much freshwater as you can get at the setup time (up to 30 gallons). Be sure that there’s plenty of room in the tank so that everything can hold its weight! This area must have good ventilation, making it easy for water temperature changes caused by external temperature variation or tank overflow to circulate and prevent severe bacterial growth. Many people use a bulb heater (you can find them at many pet stores) instead of an air pump because the heat emitted by the bulbs is more easily regulated, as opposed to multiple air pumps, which may confuse all but experienced aquarium enthusiasts.

Learn Basic Turtle Taming Skills

Turtles take time getting used to new environments, so they should be introduced one at a time and given space in their new homes until they’re ready. Please make sure the water temperature is what your turtle needs and that they have sufficient room to move about in the tank before you even consider adding another one!

Amazing Turtle Aquarium Ideas: 15 Choices for Your Turtle Habitat

Basic Starter Turtle Aquarium

The basic starter turtle aquarium is perfect for keeping your turtle safe and healthy. The tub has a water surface area of 3.5 liters, which is large enough for a small turtle but not so large that your turtle can get lost or stuck in it. The tub also has a built-in basking area, which means your turtle can get warm and comfortable while you’re away.

Double Starter Turtle Aquarium

A double starter turtle aquarium is a great way to provide your turtles with plenty of space to swim and play. This type of aquarium is perfect for two turtles, as it gives them plenty of room to move around. You can also add some plants and rocks to provide them with some extra stimulation.

Turtle Aquarium With Aquatic Plants

A planted turtle aquarium is an idea that can provide your turtle with a lot of fun and adventure. With a few simple additions, you can create an environment that is safe and stimulating. A planted tank provides plenty of hiding spots, aquatic plants to nibble on, and plenty of places to play. You can also add some decorative elements to give your turtle extra excitement.

Aquatic Habitat Kit

Starting your aquatic turtle habitat is a great way to start this fun and fascinating hobby. There are plenty of starter kits available that include everything you need to get started. Still, if you’re looking for something a little more customized, many options are available. One option is to buy an aquarium with the necessary hardware and materials. This can be a great option if you have a place in your home that can serve as your turtle’s home base, but it can also be expensive. Another option is to build your aquarium. This can be a fun and rewarding project, but it requires some planning and construction skills.

Customized Turtle Aquarium

Making your turtle tank is a great way to customize the environment for your pet while saving money! Here are five easy DIY turtle tank ideas to get you started:

  • Use a large container like a Rubbermaid storage bin as the turtle tank. Cut a hole in the top for the turtle’s head and secure it with magnets or screws.
  • Create an artificial island using bricks, stones, or plants to make it feel more like home. Place hiding spots and water dishes around the island for your turtle to explore.
  • Use old fish tanks or recycled plastic containers as turtle tanks. Drill holes in the sides and top for drainage and fit with filters, heaters, and other supplies needed for turtles.
  • Cut a PVC pipe in half and place it inside the container. Add small rocks at intervals around the outside of the tank, along with tree branches cut to fit that will serve as den sites for your turtle to hide or sleep in.
  • Build an outdoor creation from old plastic bottles (available inexpensively at any yard sale) low enough for you to reach into plates/cups on top for hiding places and add some cool dirt! Fill with water and decoration (if you want), and add a heater.

Creative Turtle Aquarium

There are many creative ways to theme an aquarium for turtles. For example, you could create a tropical paradise with brightly colored fish and coral or create a habitat inspired by your favorite animal. The possibilities are endless!

Basic Simple Turtle Terrarium

The first thing you need to do is gather your materials. You will need a large tank, a piece of driftwood, some aquarium gravel, and some glass or plastic containers that are about the same size as the tank. You will also need some live plants and water turtles. To build your simple turtle terrarium:

  1. Place the tank on the ground in front of your piece of driftwood.
  2. Add a layer of aquarium gravel over the top of the water.
  3. Place one or two pieces of glass or plastic containers on top of the rock to form the turtle’s home.
  4. Add a few live plants to complete the terrarium, and you’re ready to go!

DIY Turtle Aquarium With Underwater Tunnel

If you’re looking for a turtle aquarium that’s fun and functional, check out this DIY project. You’ll need a few supplies, including PVC pipe, wooden skewers, and some magnets:

  1. Cut the PVC pipe into three equal pieces.
  2. Insert one skewer into each end of the pipe and secure it with interest.
  3. Use your existing aquarium filter as a guide to building an underwater tunnel out of wood skewers.

Your turtle will love spending time in its new home!

Huge Turtle Aquarium

Large turtle aquariums can accommodate many turtle species, from minor to medium-sized turtles to larger, more cumbersome species. The size and shape of the tank also play a significant role in what kind of turtles you can house. A long, narrow tank is perfect for tiny, active turtles like the eastern box turtle or the plasticine turtle. A more comprehensive tank is better for slower-moving species like the green sea turtle or the loggerhead sea turtle. And finally, a tall aquarium is excellent for towering species like the American alligator snapping turtle or the leatherback sea turtle. The type of substrate also plays a vital role in large turtle aquariums. For example, a wood substrate will be perfect for slithering reptiles like snakes and lizards on artificial turf.

Basic Turtle Aquarium

Most turtle enthusiasts agree that a basic turtle aquarium should be relatively size- and shape-restricted. The following are recommended dimensions for a primary 12-gallon tank: length, 10 inches; width, 6 inches; and depth, 3 inches. As for the layout of your aquarium, keep in mind that turtles need access to both water and land areas. Therefore, provide two or more basking areas (or areas where your turtle can sun itself) and several nesting sites (such as flat logs or artificial turf). Finally, add water containers and a suitable substrate (sand or pebbles) to the tank.

Turtle Aquarium with Floating Basking Area

A turtle tank with a floating basking area is a great way to give your turtles plenty of room to sunbathe and relax. This type of tank also makes it easier for you to monitor your turtles and ensure they’re getting the right amount of exercise.

Indoor Terrestrial Turtle Aquarium

When designing an indoor turtle tank, the first thing to consider is the size. You will need enough space for the turtles to move around and hide and a place to keep their food and water. A good rule of thumb is to give your turtles at least 2 square feet of space per turtle. If you have more than one turtle, you will need more room. The second factor to consider when designing an indoor turtle tank is the type of environment your turtles will live in. The best environment for a terrestrial turtle tank has plenty of hiding spaces and a dry substrate (such as wood shavings or newspapers).

Outdoor Enclosures Turtle Aquarium

Outdoor enclosures and turtle aquariums provide a natural habitat for turtles and other reptiles. They come in different shapes and sizes, so find the perfect one for your needs. Some of the most popular designs include:

Igloo-style Enclosures

These enclosures are made of plastic or fiberglass and resemble an igloo. They are great for tiny turtles since they don’t take up much space.

Hedgehog Style Enclosures

These enclosures are made out of wire mesh, which gives them a hedgehog look. They’re great for more giant turtles, as they can move around more quickly and have more room to play.

Turtle Hutches

This is the most common type of turtle enclosure and consists of a metal or plastic box with a hole in it. It allows the turtle to climb up and down into its chamber, but they can’t get out of or crawl through their container. The turtles enjoy digging inside these enclosures for caves and hiding places, so if that’s what you’re looking for in an outdoor enclosure design – this is the option for your turtle tank!

Turtle Pools

Turtle ponds are another standard style of an indoor aquarium with frogs since they give the turtles a lot more room to move around, but they don’t need much space to make it through the winter.