3 Ways To Clean A Turtle Tank - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Clean a Turtle Tank PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Readying Your Tank For Cleaning 2 Scrubbing and Rinsing the Tank and its Contents 3 Refilling the Tank Other Sections Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles Expert Interview References Article Summary Co-authored by Anthony Menendez

Last Updated: February 12, 2025 Approved

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This article was co-authored by Anthony Menendez. Anthony Menendez is a Reptile Expert and Founder of Shadow's Reptiles. Anthony founded Shadow's Reptiles in 2018, starting as a small tortoise breeder in Miami, Florida. He quickly gained traction on social media and started taking in mistreated and unwanted reptiles. Shadow's sanctuary has turned into a haven for more than just reptiles and has taken in a variety of birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and mammals like prairie dogs, sugar gliders, lemurs and more. Anthony also does educational shows for schools and children’s birthday parties to spread love and awareness for animals. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 357,362 times.

If you own an aquatic turtle, you'll need to do a full cleaning of the tank a little more than once a month. Keeping the water clean for drinking and swimming is essential for the turtle's health. Sprucing up the tank involves removing all its items, scrubbing and rinsing these contents, then returning everything carefully to the tank after regulating the water's temperature and chemistry. Once you get in the routine of taking care of tank hygiene, you'll find that it doesn't take very much work to give your turtle a clean habitat where it can be happy and healthy.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Readying Your Tank For Cleaning

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  1. Step 1 Transplant the turtle. 1 Transplant the turtle. Pick it up gently from the tank, and set it in a bucket, bowl, or the carrying case you brought it home in from the pet store.[1] In this other container, put both enough water for swimming, and enough material--such as peat or rocks--to allow the turtle something to climb on. And for sanitary reasons, don’t use this secondary container for anything else but a temporary home for your turtle.[2]
    • Use a transplant container large enough to allow the turtle to be able to turn around while swimming. A transparent container is preferable.
  2. Step 2 Remove filters and heaters. 2 Remove filters and heaters. Unplug and then remove the tank’s electric devices, and place them in a sink or bucket for cleaning. Remember where the devices were located for when you need to put them back. Keeping the same setup as before will avoid disorienting your turtle. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Take out large objects. 3 Take out large objects. One by one, remove any plastic or live plants, large rocks, or pieces of wood. Place them in a separate bucket that you will use only for this purpose, for sanitary reasons. Or if you decide to clean the tank in a bathtub, you can place them aside in the tub.
  4. Step 4 Move the tank to a cleaning area. 4 Move the tank to a cleaning area. Depending on how far you can carry the tank, either outside in a grassy area, or in a bathtub are good cleaning areas. Never try to carry a tank by yourself: be sure to ask someone, preferably an adult, to help you carry the tank. Position yourselves on opposite ends of the short sides of the tank, slide it slowly to the edge of its table, and pick it up from below with both hands.
  5. Step 5 Empty all the water. 5 Empty all the water. Lift one end of the tank until the water pours out completely. Ask someone to help you lift it if the tank is too heavy for you. Lift the tank from a squatting position, extending your legs, instead of standing over it and trying to lift it with just your arms and back.
    • If you have a substrate of small, gravelly rocks, you can leave those in the tank. If your substrate is some kind of organic matter such as peat or nut shells, discard and replace these during each cleaning.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Scrubbing and Rinsing the Tank and its Contents

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  1. Step 1 Rinse the substrate. 1 Rinse the substrate. Using either a garden hose or the bathtub faucet, fill the tank to about ¼ full with water, then empty it fully. Repeat this about five times, until the water in the tank is considerably clearer than when you started.
    • To empty the tank, lift it slowly at one end from a squatting position, extending your legs to lift the tank instead of lifting with your arms and back muscles. The tank should be almost in a vertical position before all the water drains out.
    • Ask someone, preferably an adult, to help you lift the tank if it is too heavy for you.
  2. Step 2 Prepare a cleaning solution. 2 Prepare a cleaning solution. Make a mixture of 0.5 cups (0.1 L) of chlorine bleach for every 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Or combine 1⁄4 cup (0.1 L) of plain distilled white vinegar with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water.
    • If you'll be doing the cleaning on a lawn or in an area near other vegetation, don’t use bleach or vinegar cleaning solutions, since these will kill plants. Instead, find a biodegradable, plant-friendly tank cleaner at the pet store.
    • Never use household cleaner, detergent, or disinfecting agent like dish or hand soap (Lysol, Comet, etc.) since the chemical residue is difficult to fully remove.
    • If the odor of chlorine or vinegar bothers you, check the pet store for a turtle-safe tank cleaner. Make sure to choose a plant-friendly, biodegradable one if you’ll be cleaning outdoors near plants.
  3. Step 3 Scrub the tank. 3 Scrub the tank. Dip a sponge or coarse rag in the cleaning solution. Scrub all sides of the tank, including the bottom, making sure to pay special attention to the corners and spaces where two panels come together. Debris tends to build up and get caught easier in these areas.[3]
    • To keep the substrate out of the way, tilt the tank to one side so the rocks fall to that side. Scrub everything except the rocks, then tilt the tank to the other side and repeat the process. Finally, scrub the substrate as well.
  4. Step 4 Clean the devices and decorations. 4 Clean the devices and decorations. Take apart the filter according to its instruction manual, and scrub the individual pieces with the cleaning solution. Pay special attention to the filter by rinsing it under the hose or faucet. Scrub the outside of the heater, and clean any decorations, rocks, wood, and plastic plants as well. Rinse everything together in the bucket or tub, and leave them to dry.
    • Have someone clean your filter for you if you have cuts or scrapes on your hands, since they could become infected.
    • Replace the filter bag once a month.[4]
  5. Step 5 Rinse out the tank. 5 Rinse out the tank. Splash water over the tank with the hose or bathtub, being sure to remove all residue from the cleaning agent and leftover debris. Rinse all sides of the tank until there is no scent of either the vinegar or bleach remaining. Dry the outside with a clean towel.[5]
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Refilling the Tank

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  1. Step 1 Return the tank. 1 Return the tank. Next, slowly carry the tank back to its display area, being sure to have someone help you. Then replace all objects in the tank, being careful to reinstall the electric devices securely. Try to redo the tank arrangement as closely as possible to the way it was before the cleaning. This will prevent disorienting and causing stress for your turtle when it is returned to the tank.
    • Make sure to dry the tank with a clean towel before carrying it. This will prevent it from slipping out of your hands when trying to grip it.
  2. Step 2 Dechlorinate the new water. 2 Dechlorinate the new water. Your tap water may contain a level of chlorine that could be harmful to your turtle. But this can be controlled by adding an animal-safe water dechlorinator, available at the pet store.This is especially important if you have used bleach to clean the tank, as this will neutralize any remaining chlorine residue that could harm your pet.
    • Refill the tank using a clean bucket that you fill from the bathtub faucet.
  3. Step 3 Check water temperature. 3 Check water temperature. The temperature of the tank water should be about 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-26.6 degrees Celsius). This is about average room temperature, so if the water is too warm or too cold, wait a half an hour and check the temperature again. If the water is too cold, use a water heater to raise the temperature.
  4. Step 4 Use testing kits to measure chemical levels. 4 Use testing kits to measure chemical levels. It is important to make sure that pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are in a safe range for your turtle. You can get a testing kit for each of these components at the pet store.[6] Testing typically involves combining a small amount of tank water with a solution in a test tube, which produces a water color that indicates the chemical level.
    • The pH level should generally be between 7 and 8 for most turtles. But certain turtles have specific pH requirements. Be sure to ask an expert at the pet store about the precise pH level your turtle requires.[7]
    • If any chemical level is not in the acceptable range, you can buy additives that will raise or lower the levels of each component.[8]
  5. Step 5 Add some salt. 5 Add some salt. Mix in one teaspoon of non-iodized salt per gallon of tank water. This can help to cut down the amount of harmful bacteria in the tank. It can also aid in protecting your turtle from skin and shell diseases.[9]
  6. Step 6 Return the turtle to the tank. 6 Return the turtle to the tank. Gently put your patient turtle back on its favorite resting spot. Reward it with a treat like a nice worm, some lettuce, or another favorite food.
    • After everything is returned to the tank, clean your hands well with a strong antibacterial soap.[10]
    7. Advertisement

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

  • Try to clean the tank once every few weeks, or more often if it appears dirty before three weeks.[11] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Make sure you check on your turtle while it is out of the tank. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
  • Try to keep the water level the same as it was before you cleaned the tank. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • If you have any other household pets, never put them in the same tank unless they are the same breed of species. While cleaning the tank, I use Pet Smart Or PetCo products like Rex. They are the most efficient and most durable! Never use sand in a turtle tank no matter what the species. Rock is the most durable because it is easy to clean.
  • Don't ever leave your turtle outside if your turtle is still young. There's a lot of predators like birds, cats, etc.
  • The basking spot should usually be at least 10 degrees warmer than the water to encourage basking.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Turtles may shed once you change the water. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 0
  • Keep land turtles such as box turtles in a wooden table box.[12] Glass tanks can heat up too quickly and endanger them. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need

  • sponge
  • outdoor hose or bathtub faucet
  • cleaning solution, such as a vinegar or bleach solution, or turtle-friendly cleaner from the pet store.
  • dechlorinator
  • pH test kit
  • thermometer
  • A treat for your turtle (optional)

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about caring for reptiles, check out our in-depth interview with Anthony Menendez.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo3vurpIjFo
  2. ↑ https://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/reptile-care/cleaning-your-tortoise-or-turtles-habitat/A0077.html
  3. ↑ Anthony Menendez. Reptile Expert & Animal Sanctuary. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo3vurpIjFo
  5. ↑ Anthony Menendez. Reptile Expert & Animal Sanctuary. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/waterquality.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/waterquality.htm
  8. ↑ http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/waterquality.htm
  9. ↑ http://www.hartz.com/Reptiles/Getting_Started/how_to_care_for_aquatic_turtles.aspx
More References (3)
  1. ↑ http://animals.mom.me/rid-turtle-tank-odors-8289.html
  2. ↑ http://animals.mom.me/rid-turtle-tank-odors-8289.html
  3. ↑ https://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/habitat-setup/

About This Article

Anthony Menendez Co-authored by: Anthony Menendez Reptile Expert & Animal Sanctuary This article was co-authored by Anthony Menendez. Anthony Menendez is a Reptile Expert and Founder of Shadow's Reptiles. Anthony founded Shadow's Reptiles in 2018, starting as a small tortoise breeder in Miami, Florida. He quickly gained traction on social media and started taking in mistreated and unwanted reptiles. Shadow's sanctuary has turned into a haven for more than just reptiles and has taken in a variety of birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and mammals like prairie dogs, sugar gliders, lemurs and more. Anthony also does educational shows for schools and children’s birthday parties to spread love and awareness for animals. This article has been viewed 357,362 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 31 Updated: February 12, 2025 Views: 357,362 Categories: Turtles and Tortoises Article SummaryX

To clean a turtle tank, gently pick up the turtle and set it in a bucket or bowl filled with enough water for swimming and some peat or rocks for the turtle to climb on. Unplug and remove the tank’s filters and heaters, then remove large objects like rocks, plants, or pieces of wood. Pour the water out of the tank, then rinse it several times to clean the substrate. Once the substrate is rinsed, scrub the sides of the tank with a cleaning solution made from water and vinegar. Clean each component of the tank as well, then rinse the tank and all of the components. For tips from our veterinary reviewer on reassembling your tank, including dechlorinating the water, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Rose Domenech

    Rose Domenech

    Nov 26, 2017

    "My grandson has a red ear slider. Usher the turtle is now 14 years old. I had no idea how to take care of him. I..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Anthony Menendez Co-authored by: Anthony Menendez Reptile Expert & Animal Sanctuary Co-authors: 31 Updated: February 12, 2025 Views: 357,362 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Rose Domenech

Rose Domenech

Nov 26, 2017

"My grandson has a red ear slider. Usher the turtle is now 14 years old. I had no idea how to take care of him. I..." more Cory Purcell

Cory Purcell

Jul 26, 2017

"All the methods you listed were very helpful since this is going to be my first turtle tank cleaning. Your article..." more Mason Miller

Mason Miller

May 21, 2021

"Well I got to try this and this technique really worked, you should try it." Madison Cohen Nixon

Madison Cohen Nixon

Oct 31, 2016

"It's helpful for someone who doesn't know how to clean a tank." Leo Napoles

Leo Napoles

Jul 6, 2016

"Great and simple article and straight to the point! Thanks!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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