Hello everyone! I rescued my turtle, Storm the red eared slider, from a home where she lived in a 5 gallon tank, at 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. There was a large rain-storm, and the tank was filled all the way to the top with storm struggling to stay upright with the torrential rain falling down on her, and she was trying to climb out of the tank with a three foot fall straight to the concrete to greet her.
Long story short, I saved her, and bought a 45 gallon tank. I've gone through 4 different filters because I'll run them for a day or so, then they die. I've tried sand, and gravel, and I haven't been able to find a good vacuum to help get her feces out of the tank, so cleaning her tank proves to be a struggle.
I have half of a waterfall platform that she likes to sit on, and I created a tank cover so she can have a heating lamp which she adores.
So what I need help with: I am desperately in need a filter that will work, and won't die within 24-48 hours. Perhaps a substrate suggestion, and/or a vacuum suggestion to help clean the tank more efficiently.
I also want to make a proper basking area, but am unsure where to start, so if you have any suggestions they're greatly welcomed. I really want to make Storm's habitat wonderful for her, and right now, it's clean and healthy, but I know I can do so much better for her.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Sarah
