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Hello all! Turbo is steadily growing, and i'm reasonably sure she's a girl, so she's growing even FASTER!
She's about 2.5' shell length and in a 28 gallon sterilite container, small basking dock, and good uvb lamp.

Anyway, since she's growing pretty well, when I graduate college in a month and get home (my dad goes up to my room every day and checks water temp and feeds her, unfortunately he also spoils her like our cats >_<) i'm planning on just moving her to a 50 gallon now, something larger if I can find it. I think her basking lamp and dock will suffice for at least a few months, but I have other questions:

-- It gets cold in my room and I like to sleep cold, and high-power not incredibly expensive water heater suggestions to keep her at 75-78?
--How long will I be able to use this basking lamp and bulb, as long as the temp is good can I use it, or will I need a bigger lamp as she grows?
-- Good filter suggestions that will work for 50-75 gallons (so something rated for 100 gal-150 gal) I'd prefer to just get one I can use until she moves again.
I'm doing my own research, but i'm nervous since she's my first herp, and i'd like personal suggestions and experience.

As far as heaters go you can't go wrong with Eheim or Aqueon. A larger wattage like 200 or 250 watt would be good and will also work when you upgrade tanks. As far as filters I like Fluval. The best filter for the money is the Fluval FX6. There are also cheap filters like SunSun or oddysea but sometimes you get what you pay for! What are you useing for a uvb bulb? Generally you won't need a larger one because it should only be shining on the basking area. Unless its a stand alone bulb like a powersun you should also have a heat bulb shining on the basking area. Hope this helps.

I'd add Finnex to that heater list. Eheim, Aqueon & Finnex (titanium heaters). Fluval FX6 or the Rena XP XL are great filters.

Our filter sizing recommendations:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145

Our heater FAQ:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=31234

VeipaCray, actually the API filstar rena xp xl is now made in China. I had one, the impeller magnet and filter housing broke within months. It's now made in China from inferior parts. I beleive it used to be made in France. I don't recommend it. I'm not the only one that has run into problems with the newer API Filstar.

Really? that's sad. I've had my XP4 for years now and it's been great. I assumed they just went through a naming change XP4-->XPXL but it sound like they changed manufacturing and QC.

So we're back to fluval FX6 or Eheim ($$$) then.

I went to an aquarium trade show this past weekend in Chicago checking out habitats and filtration. There were a few newer filters out there but nothing that really fits the bill for an indoor aquatic turtle in terms of size / GPH. I did see one custom filter manufacturer that had a perfect turtle filter and it allowed you to use a pump of your own choice. They were demoing the display with a Danner mag-drive. However when I saw the price I just walked away. You could easily buy 4 of the biggest eheims for what they were asking for this acrylic canister setup.

Steve has also said the old ones are great. I'm not sure when they started making then in China? I was looking at some things on line this morning and ran across this. Looks like you also need your own pump. They are also stackable. Not sure how good they would work but interesting.
http://www.marineandreef.com/Inland_Sea ... _s/225.htm

Yes, my XPs were made in France and they are still running. I bet an easy filter kit could be made utilizing 5 gallon buckets.

Or trash cans if one is so inclined.

I don't trust trash cans. I think they use pretty harsh chemicals to make them stronger against water and sunlight.

I was just kidding around Steve but I guess I never considered that.

I guess if your going to use buckets they should be food grade.

A lot of people do use trash cans for their ponds and put in a bunch of weird stuff for media. I don't get it.

Food grade is great and they're cheap enough A small stock tank could make a pretty good canister filter too.

That you all so much! I'm sorry i didn't get reply until now, i was in the last three weeks of my college career and things were extremely hectic up until Christmas. Right now, Steve, i have a Fluval lamp and I'm just using an Aqua Culture full-spectrum daylight bulb.

Congratulations on your graduation!

Thank you!