So, you got yourself an adorable turtle.
As a cold-blooded reptile, you should know by now that the environment of an aquatic turtle has a huge impact on its overall health. This is why they require heaters on their tank in order to be happy and stay alive. And there is simply no question about that, particularly if you live in an area which is not particularly warm, to begin with.
Fortunately, you can find different kinds of turtle heaters in the market today. However, finding the best may seem like a daunting task since there are a lot of options and models available. Don’t worry though, we already did the hard part for you and researched the top 10 best turtle tank heaters in the market today!
Contents
1. Tetra HT Aquarium Heater
The Tetra HT Aquarium Heater is suitable for beginners who only have a turtle or two. It is among the smallest and the least powerful turtle tank heaters in the list using 50 watts and can only handle aquariums of up to 10 gallons in size.
It may not be powerful or large, but its small size allows more space to be saved. You can easily hide this heater so that your turtle tank does not look messy or cluttered. And although it may not be the fanciest heater out there, the Tetra HT Aquarium Heater does get the job done, maintaining a steady temperature of 78 degrees.
Moreover, this turtle tank heater comes with suction cups which makes mounting very easy— whether you choose to mount it horizontally or vertically for your convenience.
Pros:
- Easy to mount
- Suitable for small aquariums
- Built-in thermostat
- Space saver
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Only suitable for small tanks with hoods
- Temperatures cannot be adjusted
2. TetraFauna Aquatic Heater
Another model from Tetra, this aquatic heater is specifically designed for aquatic reptile tanks and is built to be tough and durable. It can withstand a good bit of wear and tear, thanks to its solid plastic protective cover.
Moreover, it is a 100-watt heater which can accommodate tanks of up to 60 gallons in size. Like the previous one, the TetraFauna is also very easy to mount, thanks to its included suction cups which allows you to place the heater wither vertically or horizontally. These suction cups are extremely strong and oversized which is meant to deal with active reptiles on the tank that might bump on it from time to time.
This tank heater also comes with an extra-long 8-foot power cord, making life a bit easier for you. It is a very accurate heater, although cannot be adjusted, and simply maintains a consistent 78 degrees Fahrenheit water temperature.
Pros:
- Accurate
- Consistent temperature
- Very durable and tough
- Stays in place
- Easy to mount
Cons:
- Temperature is not adjustable
- Cannot accommodate bigger tanks
3. Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater
The Aqueon Tanks heater is easy to use with the option of it being submerged in the water. It is a 15-watt heater that should work for medium sized water tanks. This tank heater is relatively easy to mount— either horizontally or vertically— and comes with suctions cups so you can just mount it onto the wall of the tank.
If you do not like it to be mounted, then you can fully submerge it in the water. This heater is fully equipped with run dry protection which turns off when it is not in the water. Keep in mind though, that you need to fully submerge it in the water of it might break.
This turtle tank heater comes with a UVB light that indicates whether or not it is running. It also has an overheat protection that automatically turns itself off if it becomes too hot. Also, unlike the previous two heaters, the temperature of this one can be adjusted from 68 to 88 degrees.
Pros:
- Easy to adjust
- Space saver
- Easy to mount
- Submersible
- Has LED indicators
- Run dry and overheat protection
- Shatterproof and extremely durable
Cons:
- Not ideal for larger tanks
- Needs to be fully submerged
- May overheat sometimes
4. Eheim Jager Aquarium Heater
This small turtle tank heater is designed to be fully submersible on the water and is made of very tough materials. Therefore, you do not need to worry about it breaking or being destroyed by the water nor about it cracking an electrocuting your adorable turtles.
Featuring a shatterproof glass construction, it ensures durability and long-lasting performance plus the safety of your pets inside. It is also fully equipped with indicator lights that let you know if the item is on or off. Also, it has a run dry protection which automatically shuts off when the heater is not in the water.
Aside from the option of being fully submerged in the water, the Eheim Jager Aquarium Heater also comes with suction cups, so you also have the option to stick it against the wall of your aquarium if you are too nervous to put it in the water with your turtle. Featuring TruTemp Dial, it allows you to easily control the water temperature from 18 to 36 degrees with accuracy and precisions.
Pros:
- Run dry protection
- Easy to adjust the water temperature
- Extremely accurate
- Shatterproof construction
- Extremely durable
- Maintenance free
- Easy to set up
Cons:
- May overheat if it works too long
- Needs to be fully submerged
5. Fluval Electronic Heater
This electronic heater from Fluval is a safe, highly accurate and feature-rich turtle tank heater that you will surely love. Being amazon’s Choice for Fluval Heaters, this one does a great job in keeping your turtle’s environment cozy and warm.
Its housing design prevents the chance of your adorable turtle peeking through with LED screen that offers you a quick glance of the temperature in the tank, eliminating the need for a thermostat and a good way to de-clutter your aquarium.
Lastly, this turtle tank heater comes with a 5-year warranty, so you can have a risk-free buying!
Pros:
- 5-year warranty
- Built-in protective housing to deter curious pets
- LCD Temperature Display Screen
- Heater guard
- Easy to use
Cons:
- LCD display may be unreliable
- You need to have current flowing directly at the heater to get the desired temperature
6. Finnex Aquarium Heater
Has the ability to maintain water tank temperature within +/- 2 degrees Fahrenheit, the Finnex Aquarium Heater provides a healthy, safe and stable environment temperature for your tank.
It has titanium tubes which are highly resistant to corrosion making it virtually indestructible for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Also, it these tubes heats really fast and are compact in size which can fit even the smallest gaps in the corner of your aquarium.
The Finnex Heater also sports a LED heating indicator which allows users to know if the heater is functioning. Its heating elements are fully covered with a protective guard in order to ensure the safety of the equipment and your adorable turtles. Also, this heater is fully adjustable to 70 to 92 degrees with an analog controller outside that is placed outside the tanks so you do not have to put your hands on the water to adjust the temperature.
Pros:
- LED heating indicator
- Analog controller
- Adjustable heater
- Shatterproof titanium tuber
- Extremely tough and durable
- Good for larger tanks
- Fast heating
Cons:
- May emit voltage into water
- Poor adjusting design
7. Cobalt Aquarium Heater
The Cobalt Aquarium Heater sports an appealing and compact design that will not spoil the view of your tanks. Made of black plastic and with a flat design, it saves a lot of tank space and aesthetically improve your tank. It might be a bit pricey than other models, but using a 200-watt power, you definitely get what you pay for.
The Cobalt Turtle Tank Heater has a very accurate built-in thermostat which can be adjusted from 66 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit using Cobalt’s easy “one-touch” system. For added security and safety, Cobalt included 2 LED indicators on its heater— one that blinks when the heater is doing a great job and one that turns on when the water temperature is above the desired temperature because of external reasons such as high ambient temperatures.
Pros:
- Shatterproof
- Super flat, only 1/3 thick
- Accurate and consistent temperature control
- One-touch system
- Features 2 Led indicators for safety
- Aesthetically appealing
Cons:
- Suction cups are not strong
- Does not keep up in cooler temperatures
8. Hydor External Heater
If you do not want to spoil the view of your water tanks with bulky heaters, then the Hydor Heater is a good choice for you. This is an external heater which you can hide away from your tank for a more de-cluttered tank view.
Being an external heater, this one requires a canister filter. And while most external heaters are placed inside a canister that takes up too much space, Hydor heater only needs to be connected to the return tubing which feeds water back into your aquarium. It may sound complicated and a hassle to set up, but it is actually very easy to connect the heater and works well with most canisters.
This external heater has high precision electronic temperature control for the optimum tank temperature and is suitable for both tropical and marine aquariums.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Does not take tank space
- Suitable for tropical and marine aquariums
- High precision electronic temperature control
Cons:
- Analog temp dial may be inaccurate sometimes
- Housing is not splashproof
9. ViaAqua Submersible Heater
If you are on a tight budget, then go with the ViaAqua Submersible Heater. It comes in an affordable price tag without compromising its quality and performance. Being a 200-watt heater, it can accommodate tanks of up to 50 gallons or more.
It has a sleek design with Quartz Glass construction makes it shatterproof, ensuring durability and safety for you adorable turtles. At this price range, it does not have any special features but it is has insulated ceramic heating element for consistent and quick water heating, adjustable temperature setting that is easy to read and the option of being fully submerged in the water.
Pros:
- Fully submersible
- High-quality quartz glass
- Visible temperature setting
- Consistent and quick heating
Cons:
- Not suitable for bigger tanks
- Makes some noise
10. Exo Terra Turtle Heater
Exo Terra is a reputable name in pet supplies industry and releases their own turtle tank heaters. This heater uses 50 watts and is suitable for aquariums of up to 20 gallons in size. The Exo Terra Turtle Heater is a submersible model that needs to be fully submerged into the water in order to prevent it from breaking.
This turtle heater has an impact resistant plastic casing for durability plus a power cord that sports a stainless steel protector that can withstand the test of time. Also, this heater is not too big so you get to save a lot of space and it is very easy to hide to make your tank look more clean and de-cluttered.
The Exo Terra turtle tank heater comes with convenient suctions cups for easy mounting of either horizontally or vertically. Lastly, this model can keep your water tanks at a consistent 78 degrees and cannot be adjusted at all.
Pros:
- Easy to mount
- Accurate and consistent
- Energy efficient
- Space saver
- Durable
Cons:
- A bit lacking
- Temperature cannot be adjusted
- Not suitable for large tanks
- Needs a hood for proper functioning
