Habitat - Indoor :: Undergravel Filters or canister

[ozone79]

Hello Everyone, I am a long time reader first time message poster. I have read a number of the post on this website but have read little on undergravel filters, just wondering if anyone has used this media and how successful has it been. I noticed that most people seem to use canister filters. Why? Right now I am using a 10 whisper filter, the water stays clear for about two weeks then I just change it, their is a slight odor when it gets closer to the end of the two weeks.

I currently have 2 baby res in a 10 gallon tank and I am looking to upgrade pretty much everything to something that will last me 3 years or so, any suggestions? I was thinking of a 50 gallon tank.

[cam722]

I've had my 3 turtles for about a year. They started out as hatchlings and are now all 3+ inches. IF you follow the 10 gallon per inch of shell rule, you should be looking at at least a 60 gallon in a year. So you may want to go larger than 50 if you want it to last 3.

[marisa]

I don't have any experience with UG filters, but from what I've read, canisters are way more effective. They're under gravel or some sort of substrate, aren't they? Cleaning sounds like it would be a pain.

When you get to a certain size tank (50 gallons and up) a canister is the way most people go. If you get one appropriate for the size of your tank (since you're dealing with turtles, think 3X the size of the tank. A filter that says, for example, it's for a 50-gallon tank, means a tank of fish, not a turtle/s), it will keep the water clean and won't take up room in the tank. Good canisters also have ample room for bio-media to allow beneficial bacteria to colonize, which is important for a healthy tank (and makes life easier for you in terms of cleaning).