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Hi all. For those without any kind of substrate, gravel, or river rocks of any kind on the bottom of your tanks, how clean is the bottom? I just recently upgraded from a Fluval 4+ to a Odyssea CFS4. The water looks clear, but the bottom always has a few debris from cuttlebones or etc. I just end up siphoning the bottom when I have a chance. The question is, does any filter keep the bottom spotless?

Considering I have turtle poops and random plant stuff, I do a once over a couple times a day with the net, so its not bad.

The purpose of the filter is to filter the water, and they're made for fish, not turtles. Some are more efficient than others, but, unfortunately, no filter will pick up all the crud from the bottom. Cleaning and water changes (complete and partial) are still necessary for a healthy habitat.

Cover it with rocks, you'll never notice it.

Marisa, yeh definitely, I find myself siphoning pretty often, not that I mind too much. I do keep up with the water changes, was just wondering how everyone's filter performed.

Texas, yeh I had river rocks at one point. I can't make up my mind if I like it or not. It's like knowing their is crap under those rocks, even though you don't see it. I am a bit curious as to how the setup would look, combing the river rocks with the cave/tunnel rock formation I have currently.

I did a complete water change recently and I was amazed at how dirty it was under the rocks. I can't imagine not having anything to cover it up.

I have some rocks, but I don't cover the whole bottom, just enough to let my turtle have something to flutter at/push around. Personally I don't like the idea of covering up the problem--the trapped debris will affect water quality and the extra rocks makes cleaning more difficult. I net out poop, etc. when I see it. For really thorough cleanings I use a wet/dry vac. I also have a battery powdered gravel vac, but it's meant for smaller tanks and only does a so-so job.

I have a sucker fish...he works wonders and get along with everyone. Gravel tends to hide it better and the fish like to pick and clean at the gravel. I wouldn't put gravel in with babies....they're too young not to know what it is an may eat it accidently. My turtle is guessing 3-5 years and she loves the gravel (arranging it and nesting). I don't use much though...barely covers the bottom (1 cm high)

bare bottom some stuff settles in certain areas caz of the water flow the filter makes. the feeder fish and snail stays close by the pile up. I siphone and water change and it piles back up,kinda like my laundry does, and it waits till wash day lol

My pile tends to go behind stuff, like the fake log, and under the rubber ducky I have in there.

Justamonk wrote: how clean is the bottom?

Clean enough for the turtles to eat off of

I have mine covered with medium size rock and a little gravel. It covers most of the bottom. I like the way it looks and the turts like to dig into it a bit. It does trap some crud down there but I siphon the entire bottom ever 2 weeks.

I've read some were that you should avoid frequent total (drained & scrubbed) water changes because the turtles release some beneficial bacteria. When I siphon cover every inch and usually remove about 2/3 of there water. I'm sure there is some crud I miss, but the water stays clear, I've never had a smelly water problem, and the rocks keep the bottom looking clean.

Just my $0.02
-Chris

nice set up and gr8 looking turtle,my .02 says with a turtle crystal clear all the time is impossible!

I have gravel and the turts love it. I siphon the bottom alot, when I can see that stuff is sitting there. but with my millennium 2000 filter, the water is always clear and no stink!

BigCT, I like those rocks--easy to see the poop to net it out. Is that a pre-filter? If it is, what's it on?

Gravel can be a problem if your turts decide to eat and and become impacted (they'll need a vet). It's also going to make cleaning harder. And I found when I tried it once, it developed a smell. I'd get rid of it and use some smooth river rocks like in the set-up above.

marisa wrote:BigCT, I like those rocks--easy to see the poop to net it out. Is that a pre-filter? If it is, what's it on?

That is the filter, it's a Penguin Power Sponge Filter. The box said "Perfect for Turtle/Amphibian Tanks"


It was a cheapo just to get me by, but it has kept the water clear and stink free since day one (about 3 months). It filters about 170 gph.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Once it goes out or stops being effective I'll be getting that Xp3.

Actualy, When they poop it is almost aways between the rocks I'm afraid I don't do much netting. Just siphon and rinse the filter every 2 weeks.