Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 12:39 am Re: DIY Filter Type Recommendation Needed
First, I would recommend separating the turtles, especially if they are of different genders. Females will end up needing 125 gallons to themselves, and males at least 70 gallons (75 and up is preferable). I just wanted to bring that up, in case you didn't want to have to build 2 filters.
That being said, though, I have had the most success with filters that somewhat resemble a canister. I call them "DC" filters (Draining Centrifuge), and they have worked really well for me on both my outdoor pond and indoor stock tanks. It has a bottom intake (you can either drill into the side or have a pipe drop straight down into it from your pump), that ends in a "T"-shaped structure whose purpose is to spin the dirty water and send solids to the bottom of the container (you would use a 5 gallon bucket, but I use small HDPE drums). From there, the water just climbs up through filter pads and bio-media and tumbles back into the tank from the top of the filter. The key, though, is to build a little stand for the filter so you can install a bottom drain (basically, just a PVC exit pipe with a valve). That way, to conduct water changes and collect waste from the filter, all you have to do is open the valve, and you've hit two birds with one stone.
