Ensuring that your reptile has a comfortable home to live in is one of the most important jobs as an owner. Reptiles come from many different places, and replicating their natural habitat as best you can is vital to making sure they live a safe, secure and happy life.
With so many different types of reptiles out there, many have needs for special equipment, such as UV lights, heat lamps or water. Every reptile is different in their own way, so catering to their needs can seem a little daunting. The best 20 gallon reptile tanks are good for smaller reptiles like anoles, or small snakes such as corn snakes.
Choosing a tank that works for you as an owner is also important, as it will be your responsibility to find space to place the tank in your home and maintain it, including cleaning it.
Fortunately for you, we have created a buying guide below, giving you all the information you need on housing your reptile for the first time, including the types of reptile tanks to choose between and factors to take into consideration before buying. We’ve even included some of our top picks out there on the market today.
So, if you’re ready to find the best 20 gallon reptile tank for you and your pet, keep reading on.
Best 20 Gallon Reptile Tank – Comparison Table
| Image | Product Name | Features | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 2) Tetra Aquatic 20 Gallon Turtle Deluxe Kit | Complete Aquarium Kit Includes Water Filter Dome Lamps Are Incorporated Into The Screen Top For Warmth And Prime Basking. | 4.7 out of 5 |
 | 3) Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium | Glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians Patented front window ventilation Escape-proof dual doors lock to prevent escape | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 4) Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Tank | Glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians Patented front window ventilation Escape-proof dual doors lock to prevent escape | 4.3 out of 5 |
 | 5) Carolina Biological Supply Company Amphibian or Reptile Tank | All-glass tank with lid Ideal for amphibians, reptiles, and other small animals Tank measures 24 x 12 x 16" H | 4.1 out of 5 |
Types of Reptile Tanks
There are four main types of reptile tanks to choose from.
Plastic Cage
A plastic tank is one of the cheaper types of tanks, but is durable and easy to clean. The construction is lightweight which means they can be placed anywhere, too.
However, plastic cages are not the best display tanks as often the plastic is not very clear. You will also have to be careful with heat lamps, as plastic melts easily.
Glass Tank
A glass tank is one of the more expensive types of tank, but it is also the most durable. Glass tanks are secure and sturdy, and make excellent displays. They are also easy to clean and are not too heavy, so can be easily placed.
One of the major downsides to glass tanks is their break-ability. Glass can smash easily, so this should be taken into consideration if someone with less experience is going to be handling the tank.
Mesh Cage
A mesh cage is usually used as a temporary enclosure for a reptile, especially when an owner is cleaning the main tank. While they are cheap and light, they are not as durable and most likely won’t be suitable for long-term housing of your reptile.
Wood Enclosure
A wooden enclosure is usually a handmade cage. Again, this can be used as a temporary enclosure, or can be used more permanently if designed well. A wood enclosure will normally consist of around 70% glass, while the rest is wood.
This provides you with a durable cage with an unobstructed view of your pet. However, it is important to note that wood can create a breeding ground for bacteria and it can be hard to maintain humidity and temperature. These tanks can also be difficult to clean, and they’re heavy so finding space to place them can be tricky.
Things to Consider in the Best 20 Gallon Reptile Tank
There are a few things to consider when purchasing your reptile tank to ensure it is going to be comfortable for your pet and practical for you as the owner.
Type of Reptile
Reptiles come in all different shapes and sizes, so what will work for one pet might not work for another. If you’re housing a smaller snake, you might not need to worry about the length of the tank, but if you’re trying to find a tank for a ball python, then you’ll need to look for something longer. Some reptiles can be dangerous or more prone to escaping, with which you should consider a durable and secure tank that they can’t escape from.
Size
The size of your tank is one of the most important things to consider. You don’t want your pet to be cramped! While you may take your small animal home when they are young, you should consider the size of them when they are fully grown, so you don’t have to keep buying a new tank every few months. A 20 gallon tank is the perfect size for a number of different reptiles.
Capacity for Heat and UVB
Many reptiles require heat lamps and UVB light lamps to stay happy and healthy. Some tanks have this automatically built in, while with others you will need to attach your own lamps or heating pad. You’ll also need to make sure your tank is big enough to accommodate the size of the tank heater.
Design
The design of your tank goes hand in hand with the type of reptile you have. Some reptiles will want a vertical tank, while others will want a horizontal one. It is your job as their owner to recreate a suitable habitat for your pet — so, if in the wild they would be climbing trees, a vertical tank with lots of space for branches would be best. However, if your pet is a natural ground dweller, you might want a tank that is wider but not as tall.
Aquatic Life
If you are housing aquatic reptiles, such as box turtles, you’re going to need to ensure that your tank is suitable not only for the right amount of water, but also for keeping the water clean. This means making sure there is space for a water pump and filter, and ensuring there is adequate ventilation so the water doesn’t go stale too easily.
Portability
Once you have set your reptile cage up, you’re probably not going to want to move it around. However, there may be some occasions when having a portable or collapsible tank is useful, so this is something to think about.
Now you know about the different types of tanks and what you should be looking for in one, take a look at the best reptile terrariums that we have picked out. All these reptile tanks are available to you on Amazon.
The Best 20 Gallon Reptile Tank — Reviewed
1) REPTI ZOO Full Glass 20 Gallon Reptile Terrarium
This REPTI ZOO 20 gallon reptile tank measures 24″ x 18″ x 12” and is made of sturdy and durable glass. It is wide and spacious, perfect for pets such as a bearded dragon, lizard, crested gecko, frog, snake, tortoise and more.
The removable screen top provides adequate ventilation and allows UVB and infrared penetration, and the raised bottom frame is perfect for fitting a substrate heater. The bottom is also waterproof, meaning this tank can be used both as desert terrarium and rainforest tank.
The front opening doors can be opened separately to access your pet without them escaping, and they lock securely to ensure your reptile is safe at all times. There are also inlets on top of the tank for wires and tubing, keeping them out of the way and your tank looking neat.
This tank is easy to install and take apart in less than five minutes, perfect if you ever need to transport it. It is also sent flat-packed, to avoid any damage.
2) Tetra Aquatic 20 Gallon Turtle Deluxe Kit
This Tetra Aquatic 20 gallon turtle tank is perfect as a starter kit for owners as it includes all the essentials needed, including a decorative filter with cartridges, basking platform, heating lamp, boxwood plant mat and screen top.
It measures 33.93 x 15.81 x 17.69 inches and is made of sturdy glass. The integrated filter is a three-stage Whisper filtration that uses easily replaceable medium ReptoFilter cartridges (3-pack included) and keeps water clear and odor-free. There are also large intake holes to prevent clogging and the cover keeps animals out while providing an ideal area for basking.
The heating is provided by two 5.5″ dome lamps, one with a 60 watt heating bulb and the other with a 13 watt 5.0 UVB bulb. The basking platform provides your aquatic turtle with adequate space to live and thrive and the plant mat adds to the natural feel. What’s more, the top of the tank is easy to remove and locks securely to prevent escaping, while also providing great ventilation.
Key Features:
- Complete Aquarium Kit
- Includes Water Filter
- Dome Lamps Are Incorporated Into The Screen Top For Warmth And Prime Basking.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium
This Exo Terra natural terrarium is a glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians and measures 24 x 18 x 12 inches. The patented front window provides excellent ventilation and the hinged double front doors are completely escape proof with a secure locking system, while allowing for easy access for maintenance and feeding.
The stainless steel cover not only also provides ventilation, but allows UVB and infrared penetration and is completely removable for easy access while decorating or cleaning. At the back of the screen cover are 5 closable wire or tube inlets.
The bottom plate of the reptile tank is raised to mount a substrate reptile heater to heat a part of the extended ground surface. The extra high fixed front window is ideal for thick layers of reptile substrates or reptile bedding, reptile aquarium parts or to mount a reptile hide den.
Even better, the natural reptile background provides a reptile climbing decor dimension and will really make your pet feel like they are at home.
Key Features:
- Glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians
- Patented front window ventilation
- Escape-proof dual doors lock to prevent escape
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Tank
This rectangular shaped glass terrarium from Exo Terra measures 18 x 18 x 24 inches and is perfect for a range of different reptiles and amphibians, including a small tortoise, leopard gecko, chameleon, bearded dragon and certain species of snakes.
The raised bottom frame provides you with space to put an under tank heater if needed, and the entire tank is waterproof, including the bottom. There is also an extended ground surface in this tank that gives the space needed for desert and ground dwelling reptiles and amphibians to thrive.
It comes with dual doors for escape-free access and premium locks to ensure your pet is completely safe and can’t get out. A stainless steel mesh cover is durable and allows UVB and infrared penetration. It is completely removable for easy accessibility while decorating or cleaning. A patented front window offers excellent ventilation, too.
What’s more, there is a natural looking rock background included for a cool and naturalistic design, and special wire management at the back of the tank helps to keep tubes or wires out of the way, leaving the tank looking clean.
Key Features:
- Glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians
- Patented front window ventilation
- Escape-proof dual doors lock to prevent escape
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) Carolina Biological Supply Company Amphibian or Reptile Tank
The Carolina Biological Supply Company Amphibian or Reptile Tank is a 20 gallon tank that measures 24 x 12 x 16 inches. It is a completely glass tank that offers great display of your animal and will provide many reptiles with adequate space to live.
The tank has a removable mesh lid that allows for excellent ventilation, while also providing penetration of UVB and infrared rays. The lid is also secure to ensure your reptile doesn’t escape, but some users have reported that this lid does not lock, so this should be taken into consideration if your pet likes to escape!
The tank is sturdy and durable and is not too heavy, so can be placed in a number of locations. The terrarium is also completely water tight, perfect if you are housing water dwellers.
Key Features:
- All-glass tank with lid
- Ideal for amphibians, reptiles, and other small animals
- Tank measures 24 x 12 x 16″ H
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Summary
There are a number of things to take into consideration when buying the best 20 gallon reptile tank. As long as you ensure the tank is durable, secure and spacious enough for your pet, you can’t go wrong. Always remember to check the needs of your reptile, such as how much heat or water they require to live comfortably, and clean their tank regularly. Which tank do you think you’re going to pick?