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Turtles require a heater in their aquarium to help regulate their body temperature. Without one, your turtle will not be able to survive for very long.
Finding a suitable water heater for your turtle’s tank can be confusing as there are a lot of different types, each with varying levels of power.
To make your search simpler, I’ve reviewed some of the best turtle tank heaters and analyzed their positives and negatives.
After considering all the options our top 3 picks for the best turtle tank heaters were…
Review Summary
Orlushy Submersible 100-watt Aquarium Heater
This 100-watt aquarium heater from Orlushy is a great option for your turtle tank. It’s made from 2mm thickened quartz crystal that is explosion-proof.
Best All-Rounder: Orlushy Submersible 100-watt Aquarium Heater
My overall recommendation for most turtle aquariums.
Orlushy’s submersible 100-watt water heater is my top pick for a turtle tank. It’s affordable, compact, and features adjustable temperature controls. It also comes with a digital thermometer, which is a nice bonus.
DaToo Aquarium Fish Tank Heater
This 100-watt aquarium heater from DaToo is a great budget-friendly option for your turtle tank. It’s available in higher wattages, which are equally as affordable.
Best on a Budget: DaToo Aquarium Fish Tank Heater
This turtle tank heater is the most affordable option I’ve reviewed.
The DaToo 100-watt heater is an inexpensive but decent choice for your turtle tank. The temperature of it can be adjusted, which is handy. To provide your turtle with extra protection, the heater is housed in a plastic case.
Hygger Submersible 100w Aquarium Heater
The heater is made from milky quartz that’s explosion-proof. The heating element uses white alundum sand for maximum heating efficiency.
Editor’s Choice: Hygger Submersible 100w Aquarium Heater
One of my personal favorite turtle tank heaters. It’s high-quality but a bit costly.
Hygger’s 100-watt submersible heater is an excellent pick for your turtle tank. It’s housed in plastic casing for added safety and includes adjustable temperature controls. You also get a digital external thermometer with it.
Why Do Turtles Need a Water Heater?
Turtles are coldblooded, so they lack the ability to control their temperature. Your turtle requires an aquarium heater to keep their body warm.
Turtles are coldblooded, so they lack the ability to control their body…
Most turtle species require water temperature between 72 and 77F. If your turtle’s water is too cool, then it can make them sick. In contrast, if their water is too warm, then this discourages them from basking.
Turtles need to bask under sunlight or a UV light for a few hours each day to keep them healthy. UV-A light is needed for your turtle’s metabolism and moods, as well as for breeding. UV-B light provides your turtle with vitamin D, which is essential for their bones and organs.
Types of Aquarium Heaters
External/In-filter Heaters
This type of heater is put inside your filter (normally a canister filter) so it can quickly heat up the water that is pumped back into your turtle’s tank.
They provide your turtle with more swimming space as they aren’t placed directly in their aquarium. However, in-filter heaters can be a little on the pricey side.
Submersible Heaters
As their name suggests, submersible heaters need to be fully submerged in water to function. Submersible heaters bring consistent heat to your turtle’s tank and are normally fairly reliable.
Submersible heaters are typically inexpensive, so they’re a good choice if you’re on a budget.
Undergravel (Substrate) Heaters
An undergravel heater is positioned underneath your substrate. This type of heater works best in setups with lots of live plants.
Undergravel heaters can struggle with keeping your turtle tank at a stable temperature. They are also quite costly.
Heating Mats
Heating mats are targeted for reptile vivariums, such as tortoises and snakes. They are positioned underneath one half of the animal’s enclosure to provide them with a warm area.
NOTE
However, heating mats are unsuitable for turtle tanks and I do not recommend using them. Heating mats aren’t usually waterproof, which is problematic for a tank filled with water!
Heating Rocks
Similar to heating mats, heating rocks are designed for reptiles like tortoises and snakes. They consist of a rock-shaped shell with a heating element inside. Heating rocks aren’t waterproof and are not safe for turtle aquariums.
Choosing the Correct Size/Power
Using a turtle tank heater with the right amount of wattage is important for keeping your turtle tank at an appropriate temperature. If your turtle tank heater is not powerful enough for the size of your turtle tank, then it won’t be able to keep the water warm enough.
Alternatively, if the turtle tank heater you use is too powerful for your turtle aquarium, then it could make the water too warm. When this happens, your turtle is at risk of overheating.
NOTE
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to use 2.5 watts to 5 watts per gallon of water. For example, if you own a 29-gallon turtle tank, then a 72.5-watt to 145-watt heater should be adequate.
Finding the Right Temperature
Keeping your turtle tank at a good temperature is vital for their health. If your turtle is sick or a hatchling, then opt for water that is between 80°F and 82°F.
TIP
For a healthy turtle, temperatures between 77°F and 80°F are normally sufficient.
Thermometer
It’s a good idea to place an aquarium thermometer in your turtle tank so you can regularly check the water temperature. This allows you to act quickly in the possibility of the water temperature dropping too low or rising too high.
Here’s my review of the best aquarium thermometer to help you find the right one.
Heating Guard
A heating guard slips over your aquarium heater and helps prevent your turtle from getting burned, Although not an essential requirement, they’re a good idea as a safety precaution.
Do You Need Dual Heaters?
Using more than one heater in your turtle tank isn’t normally necessary. Just one will heat the water plenty.
However, some turtle owners prefer to use two low-watt heaters in replace of a high-watt heater. Using two less powerful turtle heaters can lessen the chances of the unit malfunctioning and overheating the water.
Turtle Tank Heaters Reviews
Orlushy Submersible 100-watt Aquarium Heater
This 100-watt aquarium heater from Orlushy is a great option for your turtle tank. It’s made from 2mm thickened quartz crystal that is explosion-proof.
Best All-Rounder: Orlushy Submersible 100-watt Aquarium Heater
This 100-watt aquarium heater from Orlushy is a great option for your turtle tank. It’s made from 2mm thickened quartz crystal that is explosion-proof.
NOTE
You can adjust the temperature of the heater from 68°F to 89°F and can double-check the warmth of your tank using the included external thermostat.
My favorite aspect of this heater is its design, which is sleek and compact. This makes it simple to hide among plants, rocks, and decorations.
One negative with the Orlushy heater is its temperature reliability. The adjustable controls are not that precise, and the external thermostat can often show the incorrect reading. It might be a good idea to use a separate thermostat on your turtle tank to be on the safe side.
Specs
- Heater Type: Submersible
- Material: Quartz glass
- Size: 9” in length
- Weight: 12.8 oz
- Wattage: 100 w
Pros
- Adjustable temperature controls
- Compact design
- Comes with an external thermostat
Cons
- Adjustable temperature controls can be unreliable
- Thermostat isn’t always precise
DaToo Aquarium Fish Tank Heater
This 100-watt aquarium heater from DaToo is a great budget-friendly option for your turtle tank. It’s available in higher wattages, which are equally as affordable.
Best on a Budget: DaToo Aquarium Fish Tank Heater
This 100-watt aquarium heater from DaToo made with shatterproof glass is a great budget-friendly option for your turtle tank. It’s available in higher wattages, which are equally as affordable.
The material of this heater is microcrystalline glass, which is both shatterproof and corrosion resistant…
The material of this heater is microcrystalline glass, which is both shatterproof and corrosion resistant. The heating element is made out of nickel-chromium alloy to improve its efficiency.
The temperature can be adjusted from 68°F to 93°F, so it can provide your turtle with enough warmth in their tank. The design is slim and compact, so it shouldn’t be difficult to hide behind plants or decorations.
I like that the heater is housed in a plastic casing as this increases its safety and makes it less likely for your turtle to get hurt.
NOTE
However, this heater doesn’t always provide an accurate temperature reading, which is a flaw with its adjustable controls. Additionally, the heater has quite a short lifespan and is prone to breaking quite easily.
Specs
- Heater Type: Submersible
- Material: Microcrystalline glass
- Size: 9.3” in length
- Weight: 8 lbs
- Wattage: 100 w
Pros
- Affordable
- Adjustable temperature controls
- Housed in plastic casing for added safety
Cons
- Unreliable temperature reading
- Short lifespan
Hygger Submersible 100w Aquarium Heater
The heater is made from milky quartz that’s explosion-proof. The heating element uses white alundum sand for maximum heating efficiency.
Editor’s Choice: Hygger Submersible 100w Aquarium Heater
Hygger’s 100-watt submersible heater is my favorite choice for a turtle tank. This submersible heater comes with adjustable temperature controls in 2°F increments, from 75°F to 91°F. These controls can be accessed via the external remote.
The heater is made from milky quartz that’s explosion-proof…
The heater is made from milky quartz that’s explosion-proof. The heating element uses white alundum sand for maximum heating efficiency. For the most part, the heater functions well and heats water up quickly.
I really like the plastic casing on this heater. Not only does it look great, but it also adds some extra safety to the heater by preventing your turtle from getting burned if they swim too close.
I also like that the heater automatically turns off when the temperature of your tanks gets 2°F higher than the set temperature. If the water drops below your desired temperature, then the heater restarts.
Additionally, in the possibility that your tanks gets hotter than 97°F, then the unit will switch off. There’s a built-in thermometer on the heater that allows you to keep an eye on how warm your turtle tank is for this reason.
NOTE
However, there are a couple of drawbacks with the 100-watt Hygger heater. The temperature reading on the thermometer can be slightly off, while the suction cups are a little weak. This might mean they need reattaching regularly.
Specs
- Aquarium Heater Type: Submersible
- Material: Quartz glass
- Size: 7.5” x 8.5” x 10.6”
- Weight: 14.41 oz (with packaging)
- Wattage: 100 w Full Specs
Pros
- In-built thermometer
- Safety features
- Adjustable temperature controls via an external temperature controller
Cons
- Temperature reading can be slightly off
- Weak suction cups
Zoo Med Turtletherm Automatic Preset Aquatic Turtle Heater
Zoo Med’s Turtletherm 300-watt turtle heater is targeted for turtle aquariums up to 100 gallons. The company also produces low-watt turtle water heaters for smaller tanks.
Zoo Med Turtletherm Automatic Preset Aquatic Turtle Heater
Zoo Med’s Turtleherm 300-watt heater is targeted for turtle aquariums up to 100 gallons. The company also produces low-watt turtle heaters for smaller tanks.
NOTE
The temperature of the heater is preset to 78°F so you’re unable to have full control of the warmth of your turtle tank. Turtles require a water temperature of between 77°F and 80°F, so this isn’t a big concern.
I like the circular design of the heater as it’s compact and not overly bulky. The plastic casing is a nice touch as it helps protect your turtle from getting burned.
I also appreciate that the heater features a digital temperature display, so you can conveniently monitor the warmth of your turtle tank. The only drawback with this thermostat is that it can sometimes give you the wrong reading.
Another point worth mentioning is that in general, the Zoo Med Turtletherm heater is not as long-lasting as some other aquarium heaters.
Specs
- Heater Type: Submersible
- Material: Unknown
- Size: 2.5” x 7” x 12 “
- Weight: 15 oz
- Wattage: 100 w Full Specs
Pros
- Targeted for turtles
- Appealing and compact design
- Plastic cover for extra protection
Cons
- Temperature reading is not very accurate
- Not as long-lasting as other aquarium heaters
TetraFauna Aquatic Reptile Submersible Heater 100 Watt
This Tetrafauna aquatic reptile heater is designed specifically for newts, frogs, and turtles. It has a preset temperature of 78°F and comes with an automatic thermostat.
TetraFauna Aquatic Reptile Submersible Heater 100 Watt
The TetraFauna 100-watt submersible water heater is designed specifically for newts, frogs, and turtles. Even some pregnant species of frogs. It has a preset temperature of 78°F and comes with an automatic thermostat.
This heater is housed in a protective plastic cage, so you don’t need to worry about your turtle getting burned if they touch it…
This heater is housed in a protective plastic cage, so you don’t need to worry about your turtle getting burned if they touch it. It also includes two oversized suction cups to make it easy to attach to your turtle’s tank.
The size of the power cord is 8-feet in length. It can adapt to any direction, making it easy to position around your tank. This is also handy if your turtle tank is positioned far away from a plug socket.
NOTE
Unfortunately, this heater does have a couple of issues. It’s prone to breaking and malfunctioning prematurely, which means it needs to be replaced quite often.
It can also struggle with maintaining water temperature, particularly in larger turtle tanks.
Specs
- Heater Type: Submersible
- Material: Unknown
- Size: 3.5” x 2.2 x 9.3”
- Weight: 12 oz (with packaging)
- Wattage: 100 w
Pros
- Designed with turtles in mind
- Housed in plastic cover
- Extra long power cup, large suction cups
Cons
- Short lifespan
- Can struggle with maintaining temperature
Conclusion
Here’s a quick look at the top 3 best turtle tank heaters…
Best All-Rounder
Out of all the turtle water heaters I’ve reviewed, I think the most ideal choice is the Orlushy Submersible 100-watt Aquarium Heater. It’s affordable, high-quality, and features adjustable temperature controls.
I really like the design of this turtle water heater as it’s compact and slim, which makes it really easy to hide behind plants and rocks. I enjoy a natural look in my turtle tank, so this is a feature I appreciate in a heater.
Temperature
The only issue with the Orlushy heater is it can be a bit imprecise, especially regarding its adjustable temperature controls. The thermostat it comes with is also prone to showing the incorrect reading.
I don’t think this is a big concern as you can simply use a separate thermostat to double-check the temperature of your turtle tank.
If you’re looking for two other good options for your turtle tank, then I also recommend the DaToo Aquarium Fish Tank Heater and Hygger Submersible 100w Aquarium Heater. The former is very affordable, while the latter is a little more pricey.
Best on a Budget
The DaToo heater comes with adjustable temperature controls and a plastic casing. It also features a small design, so it’s not overly big. However, two main problems with the heater are its inaccurate temperature reading and short lifespan.
Editor’s Choice
The Hygger heater also has adjustable temperature controls. It’s housed in a protective cover to prevent your turtle from getting hurt.
I prefer this heater to the others I’ve reviewed simply because it can heat your turtle tank quickly and consistently. My only gripes are the weak suction cups it comes with and the occasionally imprecise temperature reading it gives.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! Hope you find a reliable heater for your tank. If you’re looking for other interesting reads, Learn about what baby painted turtles eat or find other turtle related accessories like the Best Automatic Turtle Feeder, Best Turtle Tank Filter, and the Best Turtle Basking Lamp.
