Habitat - Indoor :: Tall or wide tank.

[Sniffa]

I was at the store today and i saw a 55 gallon tank and a 40 gallon that were around the same price. 40 gallon was a little bit wider then the 55.

Should i buy the one that holds more water or the wider one?

[Diamondbacks4Life]

You should go with the 55 gallon tank as the turtle swims everywhere and it gives it a much larger overall home.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Well, it's always good to go with the wide. But I don't know how the water would balance out between both since the 40 gal. is a wide one, and the 55 gal. isn't.

[Sniffa]

I took a trip to another pet store today and the biggest tank they had was 40 gallon for $109.

Would that be a good price for a 40 gallon or could i find something bigger for cheaper?

[theartbook35]

I would go with a longer tank. Turtles seem to like to "rocket" from one end of the tank to the other, and the longer the tank, the more room they have to do that.

[jozzep]

I'm assuming the 40 gallon is a "breeder" tank (short and wide) which is great for turtles.
55 gal tanks are yes, longer, but not as wide (think they're about 12").
The perfect turtle tank would be short,wide,and long since they prefer more swimming room length wise than water depth.

[theartbook35]

I'm assuming the 40 gallon is a "breeder" tank (short and wide) which is great for turtles.
55 gal tanks are yes, longer, but not as wide (think they're about 12").
The perfect turtle tank would be short,wide,and long since they prefer more swimming room length wise than water depth.

Water depth I've seen to kind of depend on the turtle's personality. Hurricane could go up and down a three foot deep tank all day long, and Typhoon, well, we all know how she is... And it's hilarious that Typhoon enjoys shallower water, because she's a better swimmer than Hurricane.

[meltedspork]

Sniffa - your sig says you have 4 baby turtles... no point to even bother with a 40 or 55g tank... go for at least a 90 gallon if not more. You will eventually need a HUGE tank or pond.

[Sniffa]

Sniffa - your sig says you have 4 baby turtles... no point to even bother with a 40 or 55g tank... go for at least a 90 gallon if not more. You will eventually need a HUGE tank or pond.

I have put that into thought. Right now im just getting the best i can afford.

When they get bigger, If i can't take care of them i will find someone who can take care of 1 or 2 of them.

I did just find a 75 gallon i can afford so im probably going with that.

[mikee]

Snif - The bigger the tank the better. The turtles will not care about the height or width. m.

[jozzep]

Snif - The bigger the tank the better. The turtles will not care about the height or width. m.

You're saying that a 90 gallon hex tank would be the same as a 90 gallon long?!
I'm sorry but i have to strongly disagree with that one.I'm sure the turtles won't pack their bags and move out if that's what you mean by "not caring", but they would surly move A LOT better in a longer and wide tank rather than a deep one.

[TurtleKeeper48]

I tend to agree with jozzep.

IMO, a 40 breeder is a great "bang for your buck" tank. (my local Petco has them for $109.00 - glass only, no stand - 55's are about the same) Personally, I do not believe in standard 55 gallon tanks at all for turtles because if you do the math - they have less floor space than a 40 breeder (which I feel IS important)

40 breeder = 18" x 36" = 648 square inches of floor

55 gallon = 13" x 48" = 624 square inches of floor


HOWEVER - the total gallons ARE more important than floor space when we're talking about tank cleaning and water quality... so many would (and probably will) argue with me and many people use standard 55s and have happy turts.

I personally am skipping over the 55 and going from a 40 breeder to a 75 for my purposes.

Good luck.

[Sniffa]

Thanks for all the opinions. I going to get the 75 gallon i found.

[theartbook35]

I tend to agree with jozzep.

IMO, a 40 breeder is a great "bang for your buck" tank. (my local Petco has them for $109.00 - glass only, no stand - 55's are about the same) Personally, I do not believe in standard 55 gallon tanks at all for turtles because if you do the math - they have less floor space than a 40 breeder (which I feel IS important)

40 breeder = 18" x 36" = 648 square inches of floor

55 gallon = 13" x 48" = 624 square inches of floor


HOWEVER - the total gallons ARE more important than floor space when we're talking about tank cleaning and water quality... so many would (and probably will) argue with me and many people use standard 55s and have happy turts.

I personally am skipping over the 55 and going from a 40 breeder to a 75 for my purposes.

Good luck.

I would NEVER pay 109 for a 40 gallon, breeder or not. That's a rip off in my opinion. Tanks are way too overpriced nowadays.

[TurtleKeeper48]

I would NEVER pay 109 for a 40 gallon, breeder or not. That's a rip off in my opinion. Tanks are way too overpriced nowadays.

Um, thanks?