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Hi. I have two musk turtles (one 18 months old and the other a year old). The shell of the older one is about 2.5 inches and the younger one about 2 inches. They are in a tank with 25 gallons of water which my local aquarium said was fine. I was advised that a Fluval U2 filter would be adequate but, within days of the the tank and filter being completely cleaned, the water starts to yellow and within a week to 10 days the water is very yellow and their is masses of debris on the base of the tank. In other words it is utterly filthy. I took the filter back to the aquarium I bought it from and the owner was amazed that it wasn't keeping the water clean. The filter works perfectly but just doesn't keep the water clean. My questions? Is the Fluval U2 actually suitable for musk turtles (I've had so much conflicting advice from the two local aquariums I visit that I've lost faith in what they're telling me)? If it isn't, what is the best, reasonably priced filter for them? I'd ideally prefer a filter where you don't have to buy replacement carbon pads every two weeks as you do with the Fluval. Also I'm based in the UK.

Many thanks!!!

Hi Jacquie! Personally I think you need a bigger tank/more water/more powerful filter. I guess we can start with what's in the tank besides the turtles? What are you feeding them? What's the lighting like? Is the tank close to a window?

I agree with the information Steve has given you.

Hi

The tank has got rocks at the bottom, a couple of plastic plants and a basking platform. I have a light over the basking platform that I leave on for 12 hours a day. I feed them mixed turtle food - the container says that it offers everything that turtles need (I think). I also add drops to the water every week for their shells. Their tank is away from direct sunlight - it faces a window but is about 12 feet away from a window. Looking forward lots to any advice you can give. I've been told so much (what turns out to be nonsense) from my local aquarium.

Thanks!

Substrate could be a main problem here. If your filter is using carbon, then no need to use those drops.