Turtles are some of the lowest effort pets that you can find. They only need a few things to live a good life: food, a basking area and a tank filled with water. Even if they just need three things, those things are very important, so you have to make sure that you get them right. In order to help you, me and the rest of the members from Turtleowner.com decided to buy the most popular 20 gallon turtle tanks on Amazon and test them.
Here is the short list with the best 20 gallon turtle tanks, after this quick list you will find the review for each tank and some general tips about turtle tanks:
- Tetra Deluxe Aquatic Turtle Kit
- Aqueon LED Aquarium Kit
- Perfecto Manufacturing 20-Gallon Tank
- Tetra 20 Gallon Complete Aquarium Kit
- SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set
Now let’s talk in a little more detail about each tank.
Tetra Deluxe Aquatic Turtle Kit
The Good
This is the only kit dedicated to turtles, and is also good, that we could find on Amazon. So it’s the only kit that doesn’t contain any extra things that you don’t need.
The most interesting feature of this kit is the decorative filter. When fe first ordered this product we weren’t sure if the filter is just for decorative purposes or it works. But we happily found out that the filter actually blends in with the rest of the environment. This is because it’s built in the basking platform, which is in the shape of a pile of rocks. Speaking of which, let’s move to the next good thing.
This is the only kit that comes with a basking platform, and while they are not expensive by any means it’s great that this kit comes with one.
The most useful things that this contains are the two lams. Turtles will need a heat source as well as a powerful light source. Those things are usually not provided by standard light bulbs, so you will need special light bulbs and fixtures. But fortunately this kit comes with both fixtures and special light bulbs.
And like most kits this one also contains some substances to make the water safer for your turtle.
The Bad
While this tank contains everything a turtle needs there is one big problem. The filter which is also a basking area is not tall enough. If you want your turtle to use them you can’t fill the tank. So it becomes more of a 10 or 15 gallon tank.
And there is a small problem with the lamps. While you can definitely put them on the cover of the tank, if you want to fill the tank you will have to improvise a fixture for your lamps.
And there is also a small artificial grass mat that the kit comes with. Don’t put it in the tank, your turtle will eat it and as a result it will have serious health problems.
Conclusion
While there are a few problems with this kit, it’s still the only turtle kit that we could find. And out of all the kits on this list it’s definitely the best equipped one. Even if those lamps and basking area need a little adjusting to be perfect, If you take the price into consideration, this is the best choice.
If you want to check out the current price you can use this link to Amazon.
Aqueon LED Aquarium Kit
The Good Things
The Aqueon LED Aquarium Kit is in our opinion the best kit for turtles, that is not specially designed for turtles, available on the market. This is because it comes with a lot of useful things for people that just got their first turtle. Let’s take a closer look at those things.
One of the biggest advantages of this tank is the water filter. The filter is called QuietFlow Water Filter, and as the name implies it’s really quiet. One of the most inconvenient things about tanks in general is the noise from the water filter. But this filter is the quietest out of all the stock filters that we tested.
This tank also comes with a heater that is set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. While in general you would want an adjustable heater, this one will be perfect because most juvenile turtles will need a water temperature around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
The water conditioner that comes with the tank works really well, the only problem that we found with it is the quantity. It only lasts for one use, so it’s great for when you first set up the tank but after that you will have to buy more separately.
The Bad Things
To be honest there are no bad things to talk about any tank, instead there are useless things. Most of those kits are designed for fish, strangely enough there are almost no kits for turtles, so some of the things will be kind of useless for a turtle tank.
In this case, those things are the led lights. They are great, they work fine, they never have to be changed, but you will most likely never close the lid. This is because turtles also need a basking area, so they need a way to get out of the tank and reach it, but I will talk a little more about the basking area further down the article. But if you don’t know what a basking area is and why turtles really need one you should check out this article where I explain everything.
Conclusion
Overall the Aqueon LED Aquarium Kit is in our opinion the best kit for turtles on the market. It comes with a great water filter, a useful water heater and some water conditioner. Overall it has a great look, the tank is constructed very well, and the price is really great, especially if you think about all the things that it comes with.
If you want to check out the current price you can use this link to Amazon.
Perfecto Manufacturing 20-Gallon Tank
The Good
The Perfecto Manufacturing tank is not a kit like the rest of the entries in this article, so it’s only the tank.
The tank itself is built flawlessly, it’s very sturdy. While we didn’t have any problem with the delivery, from what I’ve read in the Amazon reviews the customer care is excellent.
The biggest advantage of getting a tank over a kit is that it allows you to choose whatever filter and heater you want. Over time your turtles will grow, and as a result you will need a bigger tank and more powerful heaters and filters. So the ones that you get with the kit won’t be able to support a tank that is double in volume. By getting them separately you can make sure that you will be able to use them with the next tank, when the time comes.
And of course, another advantage is the price, getting just a tank in comparison with a kit it’s a lot cheaper.
The Bad
The bad thing about this tank is the fact that it can make things a little overwhelming for beginners who don’t know too much about turtle care and what kind of gear they need.
Conclusion
Overall this is probably the best option if you have some experience in taking care of turtles, since you already know what kind of gear a turtle needs. But if you are a beginner and you are afraid of messing things up you are probably better off by getting a kit. Or you could always look at our care guide section, and our recommended product section and learn about what your turtle needs.
If you want to check out the current price you can use this link to Amazon.
Tetra 20 Gallon Complete Aquarium Kit
The Good
This kit comes with everything that you will need for your turtle.
The first thing is the tank, from what we’ve seen the tank is really well made. And will provide plenty of room for your turtle.
The next thing is the water heater. This water heater also has a fixed temperature, which is generally not a good thing, but since the temperature is around what juvenile turtles need, things worked out fine.
The water filter is quite efficient and it doesn’t make too much noise, which is always a great plus.
And it also comes with a water kit that will help you make the water safer for your turtle. Like most consumables that come with a kit, this will only last for one use, if you want to get more you will have to buy it separately.
The Bad
As I said before there is nothing really bad, but since those kits are mostly designed for fish they will come with some useless things.
First on the list are again the lights, while they work properly, you will most likely keep that tank with the top off, so they become kind of pointless.
Another pointless and possibly dangerous thing that comes in this kit are the artificial plants. You don’t want to put artificial plants in the tank of a turtle because they will eat them. And eating plastic is generally bad for any animal, since it can lead to serious health problems.
Conclusion
The Tetra Aquarium Kit is a great tank kit for beginners, it comes with everything that you will need. And it does so at a great price. Just make sure that you don’t put those artificial plants in the tank.
If you want to check out the current price you can use this link to Amazon.
SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set
The Good
This is another tank that doesn’t come with any gear, except the light from the top of the lid. So it will let you choose whatever filter and heater you want for your turtle.
But what makes this tank different from all other tanks on this list is that it’s made for acrylic and not from glass.
Acrylic has a lot of advantages over glass, it’s a lot more durable to impact, so you don’t have to worry if you hit it by mistake, it’s a lot more resistant to scratches, it’s a lighter material. And the most important thing is that it’s a lot clearer than glass. So you will be able to see your turtle a lot clearer and without any distortion.
The Bad
Just like the previous tank that came with no accessories, it can get a little overwhelming for somebody who didn’t own a turtle before to choose the right gear, but this can be easily solved by looking at our care guide section, and our recommended product section and learn about what your turtle needs.
The only other disadvantage is that the price is a little higher than the rest of the glass tanks, nothing major but it’s still a difference.
Conclusion
If you plan to keep a tank for more than 5 years, I would definitely suggest you to get this one. Acrylic is considerably better than glass over long periods of time.
If you want to check out the current price you can use this link to Amazon.
Now that I’ve gone over each tank let’s talk a little about basking areas, how to clean a tank, how to keep it clean for longer, and when you should change the tank.
The Basking Area
Another essential thing that you have to provide for your turtle to maintain a good health, and live a long life, is a basking area.
When turtles bask they get rid of the harmful bacteria that live on their shell, and they also get the necessary amounts of UVB light that helps them maintain a healthy shell and bone growth. And they also regulate their body temperature, since turtles are cold blooded reptiles, they don’t produce their own body heat and they rely on the surrounding heat to regulate their body temperature.
If you want to know how to properly set up a basking area I would strongly suggest you read this guide: Guide for Lighting and Heating a Turtle Tank and Basking Area, in this guide you will find all the information you will ever need about basking areas, and turtle tanks.
How to Properly Clean the Tank
First thing you should do is take out your turtle out of the tank. It can be really annoying and stressful for them to clean the tank when they are inside.
Most tanks have algae on the sides of the tank. A really good way to get rid of it is to use a magnetic sponge. This sponge have a magnet that will connect the outside piece to the inside one and it will make cleaning the tank a lot easier. You can find one on the Recommended Gear page.
Now the next thing you should do is to unplug the filter and the heater. If you don’t unplug the heater there is a good chance that it will explode or get damaged when it gets out of the water.
Now get a bucket and use a siphon to remove about 70% to 75% of the water. While removing the water move the siphon in the tank so that you take out as many algae as you can. After you are done keep the bucket water near you, don’t throw the water out yet.
Take the sponge out of the water filter and wash it in the bucket with water from the tank. Water filters contain certain bacterias that them keep the water clean. If you were to wash the filter in clean water it will remove all the good bacteria.
Now you can fill the tank back up and plug the heater and the filters back.
Turtles are really messy so you should do this about once a week. But it can also depend on the size of the tank. There are certain kits that will tell you when it’s time to change the water that you can find on the recommended tank cleaning gear page but in case your tank smells really bad then that means that you really have to clean it.
How to Make Sure That the Water in the Tank Doesn’t Get Dirty Too Fast
The biggest reason why the water gets dirty really fast are the food particles that remain in the water after your turtle eats.
There is one way to completely get rid of the food particles in the water. And that is to feed your turtle in a different container.
You just have to fill a different container with water and then place the turtle inside of it, and then place the food there. After the turtle eats you should let it stay there for another 10 minutes, and then place it back in the tank. After that you can just throw the water from the container away and you are done. It’s that simple.
This method is very simple and 100% effective. Just make sure that you don’t use the container for anything else, like placing food that you want to eat in it. Turtles carry bacteria that can be harmful to us.
You will have to clean the container after you are done, but just putting it in the shower and washing it quickly shouldn’t take more than a minute.
The whole process should only take 5 minutes of your time, since you don’t have to supervise your turtle while it’s eating. So you will lose 35 minutes in a week doing this, but you will save several hours since you won’t have to clean the tank as often.
There a multiple reasons why the water gets dirty but in general the biggest problem is the food. If you want to know the rest of the reasons and what to do you should read my article: Why Does My Turtle Tank Smell? How to Get Rid of the Smell.
As Turtles Grow Bigger They Will Need a Bigger Tank
Most turtles won’t stay small for too long, and as they grow they will need a bigger tank. The best way to know when that moment comes is to follow the 10 gallon per inch rule.
The 10 gallons per inch of shell is a rule of thumb, so it’s not exact, but you can’t go wrong it. The rule says that there should be 10 gallons of water in the tank for every inch of shell your turtle has. So if your turtle was 4 inches when you got it, than a 40 gallon tank should be enough. But if your turtle has 6 inches of shell, than you need a 60 gallon tank.
If your turtle is bigger than 2 inches then you should probably look for a tank that is bigger than 20 gallons. If you want some recommendations you should check out our recommended product page, there you will find recommendations for different types of turtle tanks.
Decorations
The last thing that I want to cover in this article are decorations. You should always be careful with them. If your turtle can easily bite it and swallow it than that decoration is dangerous for your turtle. Turtles have the tendency to bite everything that they think they can eat so try to stay away from fragile or small decorations.
Conclusion
If you have any questions about the turtle tanks reviewed in the article or about turtle in general you can leave them in the comment section and I will answer them as soon as possible.