Zoo Med Turtletherm

• Preset to 25.5°C (78°F) – no thermostat dial to set or accidentally bump, and no separate controller needed.
• Automatic safety shut-off – the heating element switches off if the unit is lifted out of water, rather than continuing to heat in open air.
• Two wattages for two tank ranges – 50 W for smaller setups and 100 W for larger ones, so you can match the heater to your water volume rather than oversizing.
• Suction-cup mounting – sits on the side or back glass, included with the unit.
• Fully submersible design – the heating element sits inside a protective glass sleeve.

Both models hold the same fixed 25.5°C setpoint – the only difference is the water volume each is rated to heat. Undersizing the wattage for your actual water volume means the heater may struggle to hold temperature in a large or draughty setup; oversizing wastes power without a way to turn the preset down.

Suited to fully submerged aquatic turtle habitats – red-eared sliders, African side-necks, musk, mud, painted and map turtles, and diamondback terrapins – where a stable, hands-off water temperature is wanted.

Not suitable for use above water, in vivariums or paludariums where the water level can drop below the heater body, or anywhere the unit can't stay fully submerged at all times – partial submersion triggers the safety shut-off rather than heating on land.

Fully submerge the heater in water before plugging it into a power outlet – plugging it in while dry can trigger the protection circuit. Mount it near the filter outlet using the included suction cups so heated water circulates rather than stratifying, and keep the power cord in a drip loop below the outlet.

Zoo Med specifies this as an indoor-use, fully submersible heater with a built-in shut-off if the unit is exposed to air. Use on a GFCI/RCD-protected outlet as recommended by Zoo Med, and unplug the heater before doing any maintenance or reaching into the tank. Never splice, repair or modify the power cord. Check the glass sleeve periodically for cracks or damage, and stop using the unit if a turtle attempts to bite or mouth it.

Warranty term wasn't stated on the manufacturer or distributor pages checked for this listing – see the product packaging or contact us for the current cover.

Can I adjust the temperature?

No – both wattages are factory preset to 25.5°C (78°F) with no user-adjustable dial. If you need a different setpoint, a heater with an external thermostat is the better fit.

What happens if the water level drops below the heater?

The built-in safety shut-off switches the heating element off if the unit is removed from, or exposed by, the water. It's designed to stay fully submerged at all times.

Which wattage do I need for my tank?

50 W is rated up to 15 US gallons (about 57 L); 100 W is rated up to 30 US gallons (about 114 L). Match the wattage to your actual water volume rather than the tank's advertised capacity.

Can I use it in a part-water, part-land turtle enclosure?

Only if the heater itself stays fully submerged at all times – it isn't designed to heat exposed basking areas, and losing submersion will trigger the shut-off rather than continued heating.