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I have been reading and it seems that the Fluval Filters are the most recommended for turtle tanks. Right now I have a 10 gallon but want to upgrade to a 20 or 30 gallon long for our little guy. I have been shopping around for a filter that I can move up to the bigger tank once I find one.

Has anyone ever used this type of Fluval Filter? If so would they recommend it or would you all suggest a different type that works better. Also we plan to do a small outdoor pond for him in the spring what type of filter would you recommend for that. Just a 40 or 50 gallon kidney shaped pond from Home Depot for now...

http://www.thatpetplace.com/fluval-u-se ... er-filters

Thanx for any tips,,

The main Fluval that is recommended is the FX5/FX6. For smaller filters, I think the hang-on type are pretty good for the price.

I would also recommend the fx6. However for a small tank like a 20 or so you could also look into the fluval 406.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/fluval-406- ... er-100-gal

So you both think the filter I posted is to small to be of any use then?

Generally canister filtes are the best option. HOB or power filters as they are called also work well but they don't offer as much flexibility for media.
This is one example of an "HOB" Hang on back of tank filter.
http://m.petco.com/product/5541/Marinel ... stems.aspx
About different filters.
http://m.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article ... icleid=304

is there any under water filter I could use for now while using a smaller tank? We have Phil in the livingroom right by the tv and the waterfall filter makes way to much noise since his tank is only half full. I would like to find something quieter. Eventually we want to construct some sort of indoor pond in another room but for now he is stuck in a tank.. Any suggestions on that??

Why don't you add more water to the tank?

logistics of that is not feasible.. would have to purchase something for the top of the tank, new lighting system that can be further away from the tank and the filter i have is the cheapy that comes with a 10 gallon starter fish tank.. I wanna upgrade to a 30 gallon long tank and don't wanna spend all the money on fixing this little one up, would rather put it towards a new habitat.. Why I am looking for a decent filter for the next size up since this tank is very temporary. I also read that baby turtles shouldn't have more then 5-6 inches of water to swim in or they could drown. Is that true or not??

No that's not true but they do need resting/basking spots. I would buy a 40 gallon breeder tank. They are a wider tank. My old 40 gallon is 3'L x 18"W x 17"T. My advice would be to buy the 40 breeder a good filter suspend the lights from chains etc. You can make a top for the tank useing wire shelf cut to size with a grinder hacksaw etc. Your turtle could use this tank for some time. Petco does have $1 a gallon sales on their tanks so you could get the tank cheap.

Ok well, he does have a lot of things he likes to rest on in the tank.. including the floating lettuce..lol Do you have any idea when Petco has these sales, also I would have to order online since we don't have a petco in this area just a pet smart.. I been keeping an eye out on CL for a larger tank, I have seen breeder tanks in the past on there fairly cheap.

Do you have a basking platform? You can also use fake plants with suction cups at the waters surface for your turtle to rest on. Petsmart has the same sale. They might be able to tell you when?

I will ask.. they have 40 gallon reptile habitat starter kit for .................... $222.00 but I didn't look for just the tank separately. His basking platform is made from a huge rock sitting on a brick. He loves it,, He is finally sitting on it now that I moved the light just a bit further away.. But I think the lamp helps him to see better cause, before we could walk right up to the tank and he would continue to bask,, now even if he sees movement from another room he flies into the water..lol Because his water is only 6 inches deep he sits on a plastic pottery ornament and also a plastic aquarium plant.. Normally he will sleep on the highest level of the plant just under the surface.. I also put a cutting in there of an ivy I have and he loves to cling to that too.. its a small tank but he has enough variety in levels to make it interesting for him..

Oh btw is there any live plants that is a no no to put in their habitat?

A simple mod can greatly quiet a HOB - viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1405

Internal filters take up space in the tank and have very little media capacity.

For tanks, the $1 sale is your best bet... new and up to 40 gal breeder or 55 gallon standard. Any tank under 40 gallons should be free on Craigslist, tanks around 55-100 gal should also roughly be $1 per gallon.

Never buy a kit. Most freshwater plants are fine to use.

Ok can someone explain to me what they mean by media? is that the natural bacteria you want to grow in your filter?

Also I figure when I have a bigger tank I could build some sort of rock formation under waterfall to quiet the sound of water falling, but I Don't want to take up anymore space in this tiny 10 gallon. He has already become way more active and is enjoying all the swimming space he does have. At first he just stuck near the top but now I think he likes have the depth..