7 Best Sands for Turtle Tanks – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Keeping a turtle as a pet comes with several responsibilities, including creating a suitable habitat that mimics their natural environment. The right substrate is crucial for your turtle’s overall well-being and comfort. While various options are available, sand is popular due to its natural appearance and ability to facilitate digging and burrowing behaviors. However, finding the right sand for your pet can be difficult with so many brands available. Keep reading as we list reviews of the most popular options and provide the pros and cons of each. The buyer’s guide will help you know what to look for as you shop.

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites (2024 Update)

The 7 Best Sands for Turtle Tanks

1. Zoo Med Vita-Sand – Best Overall

Zoo Med Vita-Sand is the best overall sand for turtle tanks. It contains only all-natural sand with no filler ingredients and no artificial colors. The extra-fine sand is high quality and perfect for tortoises. It also contains vitamin fortification, which can help keep your turtle healthy. It’s easy to clean and looks great in any aquarium.

The downside to Zoo Med is that some users complain that it can get quite dusty.

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2. Aqua Terra Aquarium & Terrarium Sand – Best Value

Aqua Terra Aquarium & Terrarium Sand is the best sand for turtle tanks for the money. It’s 100% natural and features a colorfast acrylic coating that helps achieve bright colors that look great in any turtle tank. You can choose from several colors, including green, red, white, black, and blue. The sand is extra fine and suitable for more than one use.

The downside to Aqua Terra sand is that it can make the water cloudy and takes several days to clear.

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3. Zoo Med Reptisand Reptile Terrarium Sand – Premium Choice

Zoo Med Reptis and Reptile Terrarium Sand is our premium choice sand for turtle tanks. It’s a natural, easy-to-use substrate that looks great in any turtle tank. The soft sand stimulates digging, and it’s not too dusty, so it won’t make a mess out of your habit or cause respiratory issues with your turtle.

The downside to Zoo Med is that the sand can cake and clump up, making it difficult to dig through and clean up.

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4. AquaNatural Sugar White Sand – Best for Hatchlings

AquaNatural Sugar White Sand is our pick as the best for hatchlings. The ethically sourced sand is all-natural with no fillers, and it’s triple washed to help reduce dust and cloudy water. It has an attractive off-white color that many people enjoy as it helps brighten up any habitat while remaining easy to use.

The primary downside of AquaNatural is that it’s expensive compared to other brands on this list.

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5. Exo Terra Dog Riverbed Sand

Exo Terra Dog Riverbed Sand is an extra-fine sand that is soft and promotes digging. It’s great for aquatic turtles and many other types of reptiles and fish. There are no added chemicals or dyes. The brown color looks natural and attractive, and the sand is easy to use and clean.

The main thing that many customers have complained about concerning Exo Terra sand is that it can be hard to get clean, requiring many rinses to reduce the risk of clouding the water when you first add it. Many people have also complained that it’s pricey.

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6. Reptile Sciences Terrarium Sand for Aquarium

Reptile Sciences Terrarium Sand for Aquarium is a great choice for tortoises. The sand is extra fine, so it’s soft and easy to dig in. It also contains strontium, potassium, and magnesium, which help keep your pet healthy, and calcium carbonate, which helps with digestion. Another great benefit of using this sand is that it aids with odor control.

While Reptile Science sand gets generally favorable reviews, many people complain that it’s quite dusty. It also has a slight odor that some people don’t like.

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7. Estes Gravel Products Este Marine Sand

Estes Gravel Products AES06606 Este Marine Sand is an attractive black color that will look great in any aquarium. It’s also a good choice to use with other colors to create interesting color-contrasting designs. The polymer-coated sand is fine and easy to dig in, and it won’t change the pH of the water. This sand is environmentally friendly and non-toxic.

Unfortunately, a few customers have complained that the quality of the sand can vary from one bag to another, and it also tends to make the water extremely cloudy, even after several washes.

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Sand for Turtle Tanks

Species-Specific Requirements

Understanding your turtle’s species and their natural habitat preferences is essential for choosing the most suitable sand substrate. Consider their water type (aquatic or semi-aquatic), burrowing behavior, and preference for coarse or fine-grained sand. Most of the sands on this list are extra fine to promote digging, which is a common turtle behavior, but some turtles may prefer coarser sand.

Sand Texture and Composition

Opt for sand with a texture that allows for easy digging and burrowing, resembling the natural environment of your turtle. Ensure that it has a suitable mineral composition and is free from harmful chemicals or additives. Avoid sand that clumps excessively when wet.

Safety Considerations

Prioritize the safety of your turtle by choosing non-toxic sand that won’t harm them if ingested. For instance, finer sand will pass through the digestive system much easier than coarser sand. Avoid sand with sharp particles or substances that may irritate their skin or eyes as they move through it.

Hygiene and Maintenance

Select sand that is easy to clean and maintain, minimizing the risk of bacteria or mold growth. Look for sands resistant to foul odors and facilitate quick spot cleaning. Light-colored sand makes it easier to spot debris, but it can be harder to keep looking nice.

Brand Reputation and Reviews

Research different sand brands and read customer reviews to assess their quality and performance. Seek recommendations from your vet and experienced turtle owners for help choosing the best sand for your turtle species.

Cost and Quantity

Evaluate the cost and quantity of different brands to ensure that a sand will fit your budget and meet your needs. Consider the size of your aquarium, so you know the number of bags that you need to purchase to create an even layer of substrate for your pet.

Additional Considerations

Consider the environmental impact of the sand, opting for eco-friendly and sustainably sourced options if possible. Choosing sand that enhances the natural appearance of your turtle’s habitat is also a good idea.

Making an Informed Decision

Prioritize the most important factors for your turtle’s specific needs and preferences. Compare different brands’ features, benefits, and potential drawbacks before deciding on a brand for your pet.

Conclusion

When choosing sand for a turtle tank among these reviews, we highly recommend our pick as the best overall. Zoo Med Vita-Sand is vitamin fortified and all natural. The extra-fine granules won’t cause digestive issues and promote digging. Another great choice is our best value one. Aqua Terra Aquarium & Terrarium Sand is budget friendly, so it’s easier to create large habitats, and the acrylic coating is non-toxic and allows for a wide range of colors that will enable you to create a colorful and unique habitat for your turtle.

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Featured Image Credit: Liubov Sydorenko, Shutterstock