Best Turtle Tank Heater: Reviews, Buyer’s & Setup Guide

A turtle tank heater is an important accessory for your pet turtle, no matter how big or small it is. Turtles are cold-blooded animals and cannot regulate their body temperature as their warm-blooded counterparts do. Instead, they rely on their environment and the temperature of their surroundings to regulate their body temperature.

In the wild, turtles live in a variety of habitats that have different temperatures. Changing climates have caused some turtles to adapt and move closer towards the equator. If you keep your turtle in an aquarium at home, it cannot escape from cold weather because it is a captive animal. Thus, they need external heating — especially if you reside in colder regions during the winter.

In this article, we will discuss how to choose the best turtle tank heater as well as review some of the top picks for this accessory.

Comparison Table of The 7 Best Turtle Tank Heaters

Why Do Turtles Tanks Need Heaters?

Turtles tanks need heaters to maintain the ideal temperature for your pet turtle. A standard turtle tank has an area measuring 10 gallons, which is not large enough for them to get away from extreme cold or hot conditions. This makes it important for you to put in a heater that can regulate the water temperature inside your aquarium. The best way to do this is to install a submersible heater at the bottom of your aquarium tank.

Heaters also come in handy if you want to breed turtles and raise baby turtles. The right temperature has an effect on fertilization, hatching rate, growth rates, and immune system strength. Turtles are cold-blooded animals that cannot regulate their body temperature. Thus, they need external heating — especially if you reside in colder regions.

Above all, the right temperature helps your turtle stay healthy and active. You should check the temperature before you add water to your tank and adjust it accordingly if needed. These cold-blooded animals cannot regulate their body temperature on their own, so it is up to you to provide them with the right conditions.

How To Choose The Best Turtle Tank Heater?

Turtles need the right water temperature for healthy growth and activity. For this reason, it is important to choose a heater that will maintain the ideal water temperature in your turtle tank.

Here are some considerations for selecting the right fish tank heater:

Heater Type

The very first thing you should look at when purchasing an aquarium heater for turtle tanks is the different heater types. There are mainly two types of heaters for turtle tanks — submersible heaters and non-submersible ones. The latter is sometimes also known as an external heater or a hang-on-tank heater.

A submersible aquarium heater refers to a category of underwater heaters such as undergravel heaters (aka substrate heater) and filter heaters. They are often viewed as the most common type of turtle heaters because their installation is relatively easy and more affordable. Also, they can heat a larger area in a bigger tank which is ideal if your turtle enclosure contains a lot of occupants.

On the other hand, external heaters are not to be submerged underwater. Instead, they are mounted on the glass of your turtle tank with oversized suction cups, which is why they are sometimes colloquially referred to as glass heaters. This type of heater is not suitable for larger tanks because they are unable to heat a large body of water evenly. Those who insist on using external heaters for larger tanks will need to look into getting dual heaters or multiple smaller heaters.

Temperature Control

It’s tempting to focus on selecting the most powerful heaters, but the truth is that a reliable heater will do a far better job at keeping your turtle warm in cold water. Your aquatic turtle needs a steady and species-appropriate level of heat to thrive and survive. In most cases, this refers to a water temperature of approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is what you will find in many tropical aquariums.

So, what does “reliability” mean in the context of turtle tank heaters? It simply means that the heater maintains an appropriate temperature for your pet turtle without oscillating between a wide temperature range. Turtles are very sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and thus the heater will need to be able to maintain a stable and steady temperature. Seasoned turtle keepers always have an aquarium thermometer lying around to make sure that this is the case!

Some of the more advanced models heaters rely on a precision electronic thermostat that keeps the water at a steady temperature, but external thermostats or rheostats with LED indicators can also work. Electronic temperature control features are very helpful, especially if you’re not very good at monitoring the temperature of your aquarium on a regular basis.

Safety Features

On top of that, you’ll need to consider the safety features of your chosen heater. We say this because turtles are very curious animals and will often try to investigate their surroundings through touch or tasting. Some of the safest heaters are made of shatterproof material such as plastic, or shatterproof glass such as high-quality quartz glass.

As far as aquarium heater safety precautions go, you should look for a heater with an auto shut-off feature as well as a thermal limiter. An auto shut-off safety feature will cut the power to the heater if it overheats and a thermal limiter is designed to fry out before your turtle can suffer from overheating.

Every safe heater comes with insulation (sometimes even double insulation!) for maximum safety. Though features such as a ceramic heating element can minimize the risk of burns, the fact remains that turtles are still very curious creatures. Thus, it’s better to play it safe than sorry by also having a heater guard. This is a protective plastic cage that sits right on top of the heater and makes it difficult for your turtle to come into contact with the heated material.

Tank-Specific Requirements

Last but not least, let’s look into how the specific features and elements of your tank affect your filter of choice. For instance, if your turtle tank setup has a low volume of water, you should opt for a heater with a dry safety feature that cuts the power to the heater when there is a lack of water around it. This is so that your heater doesn’t keep running in dry conditions, which could cause damage to the heating element.

On the other hand, if your tank contains gallons of water with a good amount of water flow, you can simply opt for an immersion heater with standard features and place it close to your filter. This will allow the heater to pick up on the strong water flow and stay submerged without any issues, keeping your adult turtles nice, warm, and happy.

Water volume isn’t the only factor you should keep in mind when considering the size of your turtle tank heater. You will also need to consider your tank size, as this is what determines the power ratings of your heater. A good rule of thumb is to have a heater with a heating capacity of 5 watts for every gallon of water – this means that a 20-gallon tank should be equipped with a 100-watt heater, for instance.

Finally, the dimensions of your tank should also play a role in determining the size of your heater. You will need to purchase a heater that can fit into your aquarium without too much trouble. This means that if your tank has a slim profile, you should opt for a heater with a flat design. Working with a tinier tank? Pick a filter with a compact size! There are a myriad of aquatic turtle tank heaters out there, all of which are designed to work with specific tank models.

7 Best Turtle Tank Heaters

Having delved into the intricacies of how to choose a filter, let’s take a look at 7 of our top recommendations!

The Finnex Deluxe Titanium Tube Heater is a favorite among many turtle owners. Its titanium build makes it corrosion-resistant, very sturdy, and highly capable of providing stable, even heating for your tank. For your pet turtle, this means that it gets to enjoy comfortable, safe warm water that is always at the right temperature.

Though most turtle tank heaters are used in a freshwater setting, the Finnex Deluxe Titanium Tube Heater is highly corrosion-resistant due to the nature of its build. This means that it can also be used in a saltwater setting without any issue, which is great news for those who own a brackish turtle tank!

Given the massive power this heater is capable of producing, it’s a good thing that the Finnex Deluxe Titanium Tube Heater comes with a protective heater guard to keep your curious turtles safe. Unfortunately, though this Finnex model comes with a heater guard, it does not have a temperature controller built-in. You will need to purchase a compatible temp controller to make this heater work efficiently with your setup.

EHEIM is a trusted name in the aquatic turtle tank heater industry, and it’s easy to see why! The EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater is a versatile device with a host of great features. This turtle tank heater uses a Jager thermostat and an EHEIM heater coupled with precise temperature control features that make keeping your tank at the right temperature easy.

Beyond its amazing ability to heat your tank up to your desired temperature, it also does an amazing job at maintaining that temperature without any issues. This is extremely important because overheating is a common problem when it comes to aquarium heaters, but with the EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater, you can rest assured that your turtle tank stays at a comfortable temperature.

Last but not least, this heater boasts a sleek design, making it perfect for turtle owners who care about aesthetics. Its heating element is encased in laboratory-standard glass, while its protection grid is made of tough stainless steel. Moreover, this turtle tank heater comes with a suction cup that allows you to secure it onto the inside wall of your aquarium without any problems.

The Fluval M50 Submersible Heater is an amazing — and very popular — aquarium heater that has been designed with two primary goals in mind: simplicity and safety. This turtle tank heater can be set to anywhere from 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 86 degrees F, making it the perfect choice for those who own a 15-gallon tank. Whether you have a freshwater or saltwater setup, this heater will do a great job at keeping your tank’s temperature stable.

The Fluval M50 is also very safe to use as it is made with a high-density ceramic heating element for thermal efficiency and to ensure that it doesn’t overheat. Moreover, it is encased in shock-resistant borosilicate glass, which will protect your heater if it happens to be dropped.

Those among us who enjoy a thoughtfully constructed aquarium will definitely enjoy this turtle tank heater. Fluval has gone above and beyond with the M50, so you can expect a very solid design that is not only efficient but also practical. The outer casing features a reflective surface, allowing this heater to blend in seamlessly with its surroundings.

Many heaters force you to choose between style and functionality, but not the Cobalt Aquatics Flat Neo-Therm Heater. This heater is an all-in-one heating solution that features a modern, sleek design that’ll look great in any kind of tank. Its “one-touch” control makes it easy for you to make temperature settings and adjustments without having to deal with clunky dials and confusing controls. Who says style and function can’t mix?

Cobalt Aquatics also knows that when it comes to heating your turtle tank, safety is a top priority — which is why this heater comes with an advanced thermostat with an accuracy of +/- 0.5 degrees F. Plus, it is designed with thermal protection circuitry to prevent overheating. If you’ve ever owned a heater before, you’ll know that this thermostat feature is more than just “nice to have.” It helps to ensure your turtle tank stays at the right temperature, while also preventing any harm from coming to your beloved pet.

As with some of our other top picks, this heater comes with an outer casing made of high-density, shatterproof glass. This will ensure that even if your heater fails, it’ll be protected from breaking into pieces – a very important feature to have in a submersible heater! When you’re dealing with such a sensitive piece of equipment, you want to know that you’re purchasing something that is designed with safety in mind. The Cobalt Aquatics Flat Neo-Therm Heater makes an excellent pick in that regard.

The Aqueon Submersible Aquarium Heater is a powerful, yet compact turtle tank heater that is designed to maintain stable water temperatures in your tank. It features a precise temperature dial that will allow you to make precise adjustments for accurate readings. Plus, it comes with a wide variety of different wattages to meet your specific heating needs.

In terms of safety features, this heater comes with an automatic shut-off feature that will shut the heating element off once the water in your turtle tank has reached the desired temperature. This is a great safety feature that will ensure that your heater never overheats and endangers your pets. When you’re using a submersible heater like this one, accuracy is key to ensuring the safe operation of your tank.

Last but not least, the Aqueon Submersible Aquarium Heater also comes with a shatterproof outer casing, which will protect the inner components of this heater in case it happens to fall. Submersible heaters are in general more prone to falls than their non-submersible counterparts. If you do not have a durable model, you run the risk of destroying your heater completely with just one fall!

Did someone say a mini heater? If you’re looking for an extra-small heater that’s designed to fit into the tiniest of places (like a tiny turtle tank, or maybe even a vase), this is the perfect pick. At only 5 watts, it will not create much heat output – but comfort should not be sacrificed when it comes to your beloved pets, even those tiny ones.

Though this heater was designed with tiny tropical fish in mind (think a betta fish’s ideal temperature range,) it will work just fine for turtles that inhabit a similar environment. Because it is so easy to install and use, this heater is also very beginner-friendly. You will appreciate the suction cups that allow you to stick this heater into place without worrying about it slipping out of your hands. At under $10, it’s a must-buy if you’re just starting out in the wonderful world of turtle keeping!

One thing worth mentioning: this heater does not come with a dial to control the temperature, and it has no thermostat either. Therefore, you won’t be able to make any adjustments for precise readings. Some users report having to keep a sharp eye on the tank thermometer to make sure that there aren’t any temperature spikes and drops, and that the water is staying at a stable temperature.

Having just discussed a starter model for beginners, it’s time to talk about something a little more advanced. The Aqueon Pro Aquarium Heater, 300W is everything its more beginner-friendly counterpart is not: more powerful, larger in size, and equipped with several innovative safety features. First of all, this model comes with an adjustable thermostat for your convenience. This means that you will be able to set the temperature of your tank as high or low as you deem necessary.

The Aqueon Pro Heater also comes with an always-on LED indicator light and an automatic safety shut-off feature. This will protect your turtle (and the heater) from overheating. It’s truly remarkable that Aqueon managed to fit all of these features into such a compact design, which makes this one of the best options out there for anyone who truly cares about their turtles’ comfort and well-being.

With that being said, it’s important to note that this is one of the more expensive heaters on the market. This may be a bit out of your price range if you’re only looking to buy a temporary tank heater, but if you’re planning on keeping turtles for the long run and think that this heater would make things easier in the future (by allowing you to adjust the temperature at your own discretion), then the investment will definitely pay off in the long run!

Conclusion

As you can see, there are indeed several excellent options when it comes to choosing the best turtle tank heater for your needs. There are no universal “best” heaters, however – which model you end up choosing will depend entirely on your individual circumstances.

Just be sure to choose something that is the appropriate size for the tank, as this will help you avoid over-or underheating the water. Also, keep in mind that tank heaters can become quite expensive if you’re looking for something more powerful and high-quality – but as we have discussed above, a good heater can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance!

We hope you found this article helpful. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below, and please share this if you think it might be helpful to others!