Tank & Filtration Saga (PICTURES BELOW)
I got Clyde last year. One year later I was finally able to get him out of his 30 gal. tank (added some extra area by
placing a "turtle condo" on top) and into an approx. 130 gal. He's much happier now.
The way we set up our turtle tank filters probably isn't what most others would want to attempt to do. Even though
tank is set up inside house, the filters are outside of house and one is a true pond filter. Trying to come up with a
filtration system that works has been extremely difficult from the very beginning. None of them has been able to
take away waste and stink satisfactorily. It meant for me 50% water changes daily the last 6 months of the 30
gallon tank habitat. As far as filters and pumps, we've purchased so many trying to find something that worked.
This new system is working for us so far but only time will tell.
New Tank - approx 130 gallon (48 x 24 X 35)
1 - Aqua Ultraviolet Ultima Filter - 1000 Gallon Pond Max
1 - 1000 Gallon Pressurized Filter (filled with activated charcoal)
1 - Torpedo Pump - 1500 GPH
2 - 200 watt sub. heaters
1 - Power Sun UVA/UVB light
1 - infrared heat lamp
1 - waterfall
1 - above water basking area created with 2 large ZooMed turtle docks next to each other that are attached to a
plastic "milk crate" and attached to large platform.
NEW 130 gallon tank purchased February 2014.
Ordered from Glasscages.com and they built something to our specifications along with their added
recommendations. We had a very positive experience dealing with them. Also ordered a nice stand from them as
well. Tank is deep, wide, sturdy construction with a built in ramp and basking shelf. I don't like to clutter up
bottom of tank so it's pretty bare to make sure it stays clean.
New tank dimensions are 48 x 24 X 35 with bulkheads in bottom of tank. Cost of tank alone was $728. Shipping
cost was about half of that. There was great care taken with shipment.
Filtration for 130 gallon tank -
At this point I didn't want filters inside house anymore so our newest set of filters are outside. Living in southern
California this can be done. They are buried about 3/4 down and only the heads are visible. We may have to
provide some insulation during winter but will deal with that next winter.
New filter setup is:
Aqua Ultraviolet Ultima Filter - 1000 Gallon Pond Max (installed outside)
1000 Gallon Pressurized Filter - No UV (this one is used soley for storing activated charcoal) (installed outside)
Torpedo pump 1500 gph (installed inside)
You never have to replace the media, the Aqua Ultima Filter canister is filled with bio-balls that capture and
process junk. Cleaning/flushing of filter is a backflush feature. No opening of bio-ball cannister needed. Being
outside makes this task easy and since we're in a drought out here in California I don't waste the water. The
Ultima filter comes pre-seeded with bacteria to help filter establish itself. Not sure how often backflush will be
necessary. Maybe once a week, maybe once a year, too early to tell.
The secondary 1000 gallon pressure filter used just to hold the activated charcoal might be overkill but don't want a
130 gallon tank smelling like an open sewer.
Still don't know for sure that any of this will work long term but for now we're hopeful. Having the water returns
installed at the bottom of the tank certainly takes care of flushing old food and waste out of tank. And with the
more powerful pump more water is being moved at bottom of tank. We also installed a waterfall which moves water
as well.
The filters outside are covered up by a hollowed out fake rock and existing plants. Pretty much hides everything.
