What equipment is needed for a turtle tank?

[sealife]

Getting a turtle tank for a gift. Want to buy it all together with all equipment, so its all done when I give it.
I have no idea about keeping turtles. What equipment do I need? Is there anything I need to know about?

Thank you.

EDIT:
most likely a 15 to 20g tank.

 

[bmarine]

Following along, i'm pretty interested in turtles too.

 

[Ilminded]

I'm in the process of setting up a turtle tank as well. You need a filter, a UVB bulb/lamp, a turtle dock if aquatic, if you want a substrate it can't be small enough for turtle to eat, a heat lamp, a heater for the water. That's what I have gathered so far.
The filter I plan on getting is a in tank filter.

 

[sealife]

So u have:
- UVB bulb lamp
- A water heater
- A heat lamp


Do they make heat lamp and light together?
Can I just use eheim jager submersible heater to heat the water...
I always thought turtles preferred cold water like goldfish...

A lot of electricity :/

 

[bshenanagins]

So u have:
- UVB bulb lamp
- A water heater
- A heat lamp

Do they make heat lamp and light together?
Can I just use eheim jager submersible heater to heat the water...
I always thought turtles preferred cold water like goldfish...

A lot of electricity :/

No that's a misconception. In the wild this is ok because the turtle can hibernate. When kept in the aquarium temperature fluctuations within your home will throw off your turtles hibernation process so it's best to keep them warm (70's). What kind of turtle btw? I'm going to assume a slider or softshell?

 

[Alyxx]

15-20 gallons is not big enough for most turtles long term. Be very careful when picking the species of turtle for the tank. Also, overfiltration is best as turtles get very messy.

 

[sealife]

Thanks guys for the input.

Im getting the turtle last, im hoping for any of the smallest breed. What would they be? Something friendly and swims a lot that kids would love.

I have 3 foot tank with gravel and docking pad. Just need heater, filter, and heat lamp....

That's all right? (for bare minimum?)

Thanks again.

 

[Coursair]

Thanks guys for the input. Im getting the turtle last, im hoping for any of the smallest breed. What would they be? Something friendly and swims a lot that kids would love. I have 3 foot tank with gravel and docking pad. Just need heater, filter, and heat lamp.... That's all right? (for bare minimum?) Thanks again.

In my state any turtle under 4" is illegal to sell.
Very few common Turtles stay small. Spotted Turtles are one of the smaller species, but they aren't cheap.

Turtles may also carry Salmonella. Be aware and always wash hands after handling turtle or water.

Research before you buy !!!
Turtles aren't cheap to set up properly. They are very messy and they usually don't like to be held.

 

[bshenanagins]

Thanks guys for the input.

Im getting the turtle last, im hoping for any of the smallest breed. What would they be? Something friendly and swims a lot that kids would love.

I have 3 foot tank with gravel and docking pad. Just need heater, filter, and heat lamp....

That's all right? (for bare minimum?)

Thanks again.

I think your best bet is a musk. They stay relatively small and are pretty active.

 

[sealife]

Turtles may also carry Salmonella. Be aware and always wash hands after handling turtle or water.

Salmonella!!?
What the..
I don't want them now.
Is this true? If so how common?

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

It's not that common, but it can still happen, but if you handle the turtle, just wash your hands, add alcohol and hand sanitizer and you should be fine, you don't get it by just having your turtle there, you get it by handling one and then not washing your hands( good enough) and putting your hand in your nose or a wound or cut, but if you take the precautions, you should be fine, I handle my tortoises because I love them, I just use soap, hand sanitizer, and alcohol and I've never ha a problem

 

[bshenanagins]

Salmonella!!?
What the..
I don't want them now.
Is this true? If so how common?

Do not let this dissuade you from keeping a turtle because most of it is bologna. Can it happen? Sure. High odds? Not even! The problem is way back when a young child died from salmonella and there happened to be a juvenile turtle pet in the household. After that EVERY turtle was considered a lethal pet and that they were ALL diseased. This is just simply an extended stereotype. Does it hold truth? Yeah, young turtles are susceptible to carrying the disease. BUT, do you drink your aquarium water? Do you lick your hands or enjoy a slice of pizza immediately after sticking your hands in the tank? I'd hope not! It's the same risk, so don't fret. Be as responsible as you are with your fish and all will be well I promise.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Do not let this dissuade you from keeping a turtle because most of it is bologna. Can it happen? Sure. High odds? Not even! The problem is way back when a young child died from salmonella and there happened to be a juvenile turtle pet in the household. After that EVERY turtle was considered a lethal pet and that they were ALL diseased. This is just simply an extended stereotype. Does it hold truth? Yeah, young turtles are susceptible to carrying the disease. BUT, do you drink your aquarium water? Do you lick your hands or enjoy a slice of pizza immediately after sticking your hands in the tank? I'd hope not! It's the same risk, so don't fret. Be as responsible as you are with your fish and all will be well I promise.

Completely agree!!!!! This is something that can happen in rare instances. You have a better chance of getting salmonella from eating cookie dough than your turtle. Better chance of getting tapeworms from a pork chop. Ecoli from your steak. Heck more people have been infected with salmonella from spinach recently than pet turtles I promise. Don't be afraid of a turtle

 

[sealife]

Ok thanks guys for the response. So do I just need this equipment and im set?
- heater,
- filter,
- heat lamp

That's it?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Food, and something to get them out of the water. And I can't think of anything else lol

 

[bshenanagins]

I'd get the PennPlax turtle topper as a basking area. You can build something or use a floating dock (personally hate these because they are made cheaply and eventually sink as the turtle grows). Btw you haven't mentioned filtration? I'd recommend a canister here because a HOB just won't cut it with a turtle.

 

[sealife]

lol ok thanks guys.
I may just buy a internal filter, like Eheim. I know its not recommended for turtles, but its a gift and have a limited budget. Will that be fine for the first year as a tiny turtle? When the turtles grows, they can buy a bigger tank with a bigger filter.

 

[bshenanagins]

lol ok thanks guys.
I may just buy a internal filter, like Eheim. I know its not recommended for turtles, but its a gift and have a limited budget. Will that be fine for the first year as a tiny turtle? When the turtles grows, they can buy a bigger tank with a bigger filter.

An internal would be ok briefly. I'm talking hatchling size, and WC's every couple of days.

 

[sealife]

An internal would be ok briefly. I'm talking hatchling size, and WC's every couple of days.

I don't think they will do water changes every few days.
What's the cheapest filter I could buy, that's suitable for a year or 2, and also to make them do weekly water changes, instead of daily?

 

[bshenanagins]

I don't think they will do water changes every few days.
What's the cheapest filter I could buy, that's suitable for a year or 2, and also to make them do weekly water changes, instead of daily?

Get a sun sun canister filter