Choosing the right tank for your reptile is very important to ensure their well-being and safety, and in providing them with a comfortable home for life. The best 40 gallon reptile tank models are a great mid-range sized tank for Bearded Dragons and different types of Gecko to name a few.
There are a number of reptiles that require certain special equipment, such as UV lights, heat lamps or water. Each reptile is different and you should always make sure your tank can provide your pet with everything they need to live life to the full!
Not only should you take into consideration your reptile’s needs, but your own needs too — where is the tank going to be placed? Do you have enough space for it? Is it durable enough? How easy it is to transport?
As you can see, there are many factors to take into consideration when buying your reptile a tank and it can seem somewhat overwhelming. Fortunately for you, we have complied a buying guide below, showing you everything you need to look for in your reptile tank. We’ve even included some of our top picks out there on the market today.
Best 40 Gallon Reptile Tank – Comparison Table
| Image | Product Name | Features | Star Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) Exo Terra AllGlass Terrarium | Dual doors for escape-free access Glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians Patented front window ventilation | 3.7 out of 5 | Buy On Amazon |
| 2) Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium | Easy to assemble Come in 21 different models Features hinged doors | 4.8 out of 5 | Buy On Amazon |
| 3) REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium | Waterproof bottom Front doors can open separately, Easy to feed your pet and prevent escape | 4.5 out of 5 | Buy On Amazon |
| 4) OIIBO 50 Gallon White Reptile Terrarium | Easy to install and maintain Secure Construction Well Ventilated Top & Side Screen | 4 out of 5 | Buy On Amazon |
| 5) REPTI ZOO 34 Gallon Large Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank | Tough screen top provides ventilation Allows uvb and infrared penetration Easy to install | 4.6 out of 5 | Buy On Amazon |
Things to Consider in a 40 Gallon Reptile Tank
There are a few things to consider when purchasing the best 40 gallon 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.
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. 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 what to look for in your reptile tank, take a look at the best reptile tank starter kits we’ve picked out below. These 40 gallon terrariums are all available to you on Amazon.
The Best 40 Gallon Reptile Tanks — Reviewed
1) Exo Terra AllGlass Terrarium
This rectangular shaped glass terrarium from Exo Terra measures 17.72 x 35.43 x 17.72 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.
Perfect for water animals too, this tank will hold up to 13.6 gallons of water. The raised bottom frame provides you with space to put a substrate 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 to keep tubes or wires out of the way, leaving the tank looking clean.
Key Features:
- Dual doors for escape-free access
- Glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians
- Patented front window ventilation
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
2) Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium
The Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium measures 35.9 x 17.9 x 18 inches and is the perfect size for a number of reptiles. It features a 4” deep waterproof base and hinged, “swing out” doors that offer you easy access for cleaning, but lock securely for ensuring your pet cannot escape.
A steel mesh screen top offers excellent ventilation and clips easily to the top of the frame. It is also removable for cleaning access when needed and is perfect for adding heat bulbs to.
This tank comes with a built-in background, giving your pet a natural looking habitat! There is also space to tidy away cords so the tank stays looking neat and they don’t get in your pets way.
Users have reported that this tank is extremely durable and study with no leaks, and even works as a fish tank! It is also easy to assemble and packaged well for protection during shipping.
Key Features:
- Easy to assemble
- Come in 21 different models
- Features hinged doors
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium
The REPTI ZOO glass tank measures 35.98 x 17.99 x 17.99 inches and is rectangular in shape. It comes with a double hinged set of doors that can be opened separately for feeding, and is water-tight up to the hinged doors. This allows for a “water pool” inside the terrarium, or a natural water feature for an amphibian.
The base of the terrarium facilitates the placement of heat mats, or a substrate heater or heat cable, and the removable top mesh screen provides plenty of ventilation for optimum airflow. The mesh screen also provides full spectrum, UVB and IR light penetration.
A flexible side vent that can be positioned as required and the side meshes and side glasses can be switched. This tank comes with a specially designed lock to prevent unwanted opening from children or pets and is an extra security measure to keep the animals in the terrarium.
A cable pass is included with the tank to help tidy away cables and keep the tank looking neat, too. What’s more, the terrarium comes flat packed for safety and ease of transport. It is also easy to take down, should you need to move it.
Key Features:
- Waterproof bottom
- Front doors can open separately,
- Easy to feed your pet and prevent escape
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) OIIBO 50 Gallon White Reptile Terrarium
The OIIBO 50 gallon measures 36″ x 18″ x 18” and is suitable for a range of breeding reptiles and amphibians such as tortoises, snakes, bearded dragons, lizards and iguanas. It is constructed with thick glass and a sturdy plastic frame to improve the stability and durability of the tank and a security lock prevents your pets from escaping.
Easy to set-up and maintain, this reptile habitat comes with front doors that can be opened separately to feed your pet and clean the tank. There is a water-tight base that allows for a water pool inside the terrarium, or you can create a natural water feature for your amphibian.
The base is slightly raised too, great for the placement of heat mats. The removable perforated metal mesh top screen provides plenty of ventilation for optimum airflow, too, and allows full spectrum light penetration. What’s more, there are extra metal mesh sides included, so you can switch them out for the sides to make sure the tank accommodates your pet’s needs.
A cable pass included keeps cords and tubes out of the way. This tank is delivered flat packed for safety during shipping.
Key Features:
- Easy to install and maintain
- Secure Construction
- Well Ventilated Top & Side Screen
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) REPTI ZOO 34 Gallon Large Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank
The REPTI ZOO 34 gallon tank measures 24 x 18 x 18 inches and is made of durable glass. It comes with a double hinged front door for easy access to your pet and ease of cleaning, and the doors open separately to repent your pet from escaping.
The raised bottom of the frame provides adequate space for a substrate heater and it is completely waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about leaks. This also means that you can add a water pool to your tank for any water-dwellers.r
The removable mesh top is well ventilated for optimum airflow and dome lighting, as well as full spectrum, UVB and IR light penetration. A side vent can be positioned as required, too, and the side mesh and glass can be switched out, based on your pet’s needs.
An anti-escaping lock ensures your reptile stays safe at all times and a rock foam background gives an authentic and natural environment for your pet.
This reptile enclosure is easy to set up and take down in five minutes, especially great if you need to transport it. Like the others on this list, there is also a cable pass to keep cables tidy.
Key Features:
- Tough screen top provides ventilation
- Allows uvb and infrared penetration
- Easy to install
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Summary
Finding the best 40 gallon reptile tank for your pet can seem daunting, but once you know what to look for and what the needs of your pet are, choosing them a home can be a fun process. Ensuring they have everything they require to live a comfortable life, including a suitably sized tank and heat sources, will give your reptile a home they deserve, and hopefully you have been able to find the tank for them in our list above.