Habitat - Indoor :: Filter Question

[flutterby]

I would encourage you to get some kind of aeration stones as well to encourage circulation.

[jdub1107]

I've decided to go with the xp3. Also found out that Petsmart price matches, so that'll save me some money on shipping. Going to go pick it up in a few minutes.

[jdub1107]

So I got the basic stuff in the tank setup and the turtles are in there. It's still very plain right now, just a basking area and a small lamp. Once I receive my order on Wed, I'll set everything up and take a picture and post it.
Yeah, the turtles are able to swim through the tubes. They seemed to have problems at first using the tubes, but I placed a couple of rocks in each tube and they seem to have adjusted a little.
Also, which medias would you suggest to add to the filter besides what was included?
Thanks

[marisa]

You need the biomedia (ceramic rings) if it wasn't included. I'd also get extra carbon if you plan to use it (cheaper than the bio-chem zorb; some people don't use either)--it should be replaced about monthly. If you don't plan to use chemical media (carbon, etc.), I'd get extra biomedia.

I'd be careful with those tubes when your turts get bigger.

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

i would go for a canister filter. there is this one called a vortex diotom XL. it's approved for 210 gallons! that should get the job done! i'll post a link for it in a sec.

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

here is the VORTEX DIATOM XL! this thing is sweet! i want to get one but i dont have a big enough tank too. lol i dont want a whirlpool in my tank.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441782184&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030549&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1121716852114

[marisa]

If it's approved for 210 gallons, that's for putting it with fish. With turtles, think about half of that, or 105 gallons (it would be good to have one rated for even higher if the filter is going to be put with turtles).

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

yep so if he had an 80 gallonn tank. 105 gallons would be good for turtles.

[marisa]

If you really wanted to get a filter that was efficient, think of one rated more like 3X the size of the tank (but it would depend on what was in the tank).

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

if it were to be rated 3 times smaller it would be rated for 70 gallons. that sounds plenty too me. for an 80 gallon tank.

[marisa]

Bigger, not smaller.

[cam722]

its not 3x's smaller.. its 3x's larger.. for a 40gal tank you'd need one rated for at least 120 gallon tank.

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

yeah but the tank wont be filled to the top with water. personaly i think 3 times is a bit much for a tank. but i only have a small turtle (the poop isnt that big) so i wouldnt know.

[cam722]

either way you don't go smaller.. either a filter for the same size tank you have or larger but never smaller that would be a waste of $$ wouldn't it??

[marisa]

Go as big as you can so you don't have to spend money upgrading (and when your turtle gets big, you'll see that 3X isn't too much).