If we go by the name a turtle goes into a turtle tank, and a fish goes into a fish tank, not the other way around. But does it really matter? Isn’t a tank just a tank, is there any real difference between the two of them? No.
Turtles can go in a fish tank. There is no difference between a fish tank and a turtle tank, aside from the name. What matters is that you choose the right tank size and that you add all the necessary equipment to the tank.
The only difference between a fish tank and a turtle tank is in the name. But this doesn’t mean that every fish tank out there is good for a turtle. Turtles have different requirements than fish.
How Big the Tank Has to Be
While you can use a fish tank for a turtle, you have to know that not all fish tanks are large enough to house a turtle.
Turtles have a minimum space requirement of 10 gallons of water per inch of shell.
This is actually more of a rule of thumb, so a couple of gallons less won’t hurt. But I would advise you to follow the rule as closely as possible or even go bigger if you can as this will make your life much easier, as well as your turtles’. Here is why.
Unlike fish, turtles are a lot messier, and if the tank is smaller than what they need the water will get dirty really fast. And you will end up with a dirty and smelly tank every 2 or 3 days.
But if the tank is big enough, you will have to clean it less often. If you add in a proper filtering system, you will only have to clean the tank once every two weeks.
One more thing regarding the size of the tank that you have to keep in mind is that baby and juvenile turtles can grow more than one inch per year until they reach their full size. So while a 20-gallon tank will be enough for now, this might not be the case in a year or two.
When you get a turtle make sure to check out how big it will grow, and when you get the tank, try to get one that will be big enough to fit your turtle when it reaches adulthood.
While this means that you will have to pay more upfront, it will also save you quite a few dollars in the long run, since you won’t have to change the tank every year or two.
The Tank Needs a Basking Area
One thing that turtle tanks tend to come with, but fish tanks don’t is a basking area.
In short, a basking area is basically a platform on which your turtle can get up and spend some time in “the sun”. You can either build your own basking area or buy one.
A basking area is essential for any turtle since it provides UVB rays as well as heat, which are vital for their health.
Basking areas can take many forms and shapes, there is no standard, all that it matters is that the platform itself is solid, and it has enough room for your turtle.
Here is a link to Pinterest if you want to get a few ideas on how to make a Basking area, and here is a link to Amazon if you want to buy one.
The platform itself is not that important, it just has to be solid and stable enough for your turtle, what’s important is the light.
All turtles need two special light bulbs, one of them to provide heat, and the other to provide UVB rays.
UVB light plays a vital role in the production of Vitamin D3 which is essential for the calcium in the body. Without UVB light turtles wouldn’t be able to get the proper amount of calcium which can lead to improper bone growth, metabolic bone disease, softshell, shell rot, and many other bad things.
The heat bulb provides heat that turtles desperately need since they are unable to produce their own body heat.
Now let’s see how to choose the right bulbs for your turtle.
When it comes to UVB light, there are two types: bulbs and tubes, overall I would say that tubes are better but you can’t go wrong with either. Just make sure that you get UVB and not UVA, it’s quite a common mistake. While UVA light won’t hurt your turtle, it won’t do the same things as UVB light.
The last thing that you should keep in mind about UVB bulbs is that they stop providing UVB rays long before they stop producing light. On average I would say that a UVB bulb will only produce UVB rays for half of its lifespan, this is why I recommend changing the bulb once every 6 months.
Choosing a heat bulb is a little more complicated. You have to take into consideration how much heat your turtle needs, and the distance at which you will place the bulb.
Most turtles need a temperature between 90 and 95° Fahrenheit (32° and 35° Celsius) in their basking area.
Heat bulbs are not classified based on temperature, so you won’t see a 90° bulb, instead, they are classified based on power, Watts, to be more precise. And depending on how many watts a bulb has, and how far you place it you will get a certain temperature.
Here is a chart that I made showing what temperature you should expect to achieve using different powered light bulbs at certain distances.
To make this chart I used a laser thermometer, and the average temperature of the room was 75°Farenheit (24°Celsius), so you might get slightly different results depending on the temperature of your room, but unless the difference is massive the temperature of the basking area should be similar.
With this quick guide you should be able to choose the right bulbs for your turtle, but if you want to know more details, and the possible alternatives you should check out this article where I discuss the subject more in-depth: Best Turtle Light Bulb (Illustrated Buyers Guide).
Other Things That You Need for a Fish Tank to Make It Suitable for a Turtle
One good thing about turtles is that they don’t require too many things. If we stick to the basics they only need clean water that is the right temperature, a proper basking arena, and a well-balanced diet.
Other than that they don’t really need anything else, no toys, no decorations, or anything like that.
It is actually a bad idea to add decorations to a turtle tank, since most of them are not sturdy enough for a turtle, and they will end up breaking or eaten by the turtle, and this can cause harm.
Water plants can be good decorations, that won’t harm your turtle, but they won’t last too long since they will get eaten, but at least they are good for your turtle.
So the only thing that you still need for your fish tank to be a good home for a turtle is a good water filter. While having more water in the tank will keep it clean for longer, that water won’t last for too long, as it still needs to be filtered.
But be very careful when choosing a water filter, as they are usually rated for fish, not for turtles, and as we discussed, turtles make a lot more mess than fish. This means that a filter that is designed for a 40-gallon tank with fish in it won’t be able to keep a 40-gallon tank with a turtle in it clean.
When choosing a water filter you have to get one that is twice as powerful as the size of your tank. This means that for a 40-gallon tank you will need an 80-gallon filter.
If you want to know what filter I am using, I would also recommend you to use it, you can check out this article: Recommended Turtle Tank Cleaning Gear, where you will find a few more cleaning products that I use and I’ve found to be really useful.
Final Thoughts
Overall there is no major difference between a fish tank and a turtle tank. The only thing that I can think of is that some turtle tanks can come with a basking area, but that’s about it. The build quality is identical for both of them.
Even when it comes to the size, there are small fish tanks and big fish tanks, just like there are small turtle tanks and big turtle tanks.
There is no difference, all it matters is that you pick your tank based on the size of your turtle.
I hope this article answered all of your questions. If there is anything else that you would like to know, you can always use the comment section below and leave your question there. I will do my best to answer it as soon as possible.
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My 9 year old granddaughter wants to take her yellow bellied slider out of the tank to play with occasionally. Is tht ok? Also If I buy a small school of tetras for the forty gallon tank I have with only one turtle, will that be enough water for them?
It’s generally not recommended to take a yellow-bellied slider (or any aquatic turtle) out of its tank for playtime. There are several reasons for this:
Stress: Handling and interaction can stress turtles. They are most comfortable in their habitat.
Risk of Injury: Turtles can be dropped or injured when taken out of their tanks, especially if they squirm and try to escape.
Hygiene: Turtles can carry salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans through direct contact. It’s essential to practice good hygiene when handling them.
Temperature Regulation: Turtles need access to a basking area for proper thermoregulation. Being outside their tank for extended periods can affect their body temperature.
Instead of playtime, focus on enriching their enclosure. You can create an interesting and natural habitat for your turtle with plenty of hiding spots, basking areas, and aquatic features. This can provide mental and physical stimulation without the stress of being handled.
Regarding adding a small school of tetras to the 40-gallon tank with the turtle, it’s important to be cautious. While it’s possible to keep fish with turtles, there are some considerations:
Compatibility: Yellow-bellied sliders are omnivorous and may view smaller fish as potential prey. There’s a risk that the turtle may eat the tetras.
Size and Space: The 40-gallon tank might be too small for both the turtle and a school of tetras. Turtles produce waste, which can affect water quality, and the tetras need space to swim comfortably.
Water Quality: Regular water changes and efficient filtration are essential to maintain good water quality in a tank with both turtles and fish.
If you do want to keep fish with your turtle, consider having a separate tank for the fish or ensuring that the fish are fast-swimming and too large to be eaten. Always closely monitor the interactions and be prepared to separate them if needed.
In most cases, it’s best to prioritize the turtle’s well-being and provide it with a proper, turtle-focused habitat.