Equipment Review and Discussion :: Canister Filter Question(s).

[Pizza]

I see, so more Bio Media. Maybe I'll throw in a Nitra and Phos-Zorb the next time I go to PetSmart or where ever, after thinking my arrangement over. So I think 2, maybe 3 (3 would mean no additional Chemical Media) baskets of BioMedia.

What works for you? Having two enough for four adult turtles? Or three+ all the way?

EDIT: And yeah, I hope the xP4 lives up the Rena reputation once I finish my tank stand in the next 1-3 days, scooping up water with a bucket daily is hard work. I was strongly considering the Fluval FX5, since it was bigger and said to handle aquariums nearly 2x that of the XP4, and price was only a $ 30-60, difference, but I noticed how Rena had more reliable, easier to use filters, plus it was cheaper,

[Pizza]

For very specific questions like those, why don't you contact Rena? Here's a website for them with a "contact us" button.

http://www.planetrena.com/Rena-XP-Filstar-Filters.html

When I got my XP3 I just put in media exactly like the directions said. For bio-media, I filled up one basket with a combination of stars and rings. Since it works so well, I have not been inclined to change anything.

Well I emailed Planet Rena the day I saw your message, the next day I got a mail back from them, unfortunetely they said that for my specific questions, they could not help me, as they only sell and distribute Rena parts, and I should try contacing API, or Rena directly. So I did just that, it's been 5-6 days, but with no reply from them either, I think they blew me off, .

Anyways, I guess it doesn't matter anymore, I set up my filter, and bought my media to my own liking, just two question I still would like answered, are Nitrates and Ammonia harmful for turtles? Do you think I need to throw in a pack of that Chem Media that reduces Nitrates and Ammonia, or are the turtles fine (since they aren't as delicate as fish)?

And is softer water nescessary, better, or unnescessary for RES? I'm considering buying a pouch of that water softener thing for my next filter maintenance.

[SpotsMama]

Sorry about that Rena reference! It's disappointing. I think it's a German firm, maybe they do things differently there.

I don't know anything about water softener, but I can talk about your other question.

Ammonia and nitrite (with an "i") are harmful to the turtle. It's the job of the bacteria in your bio media, once the tank has "cycled", to break them down into a rather benign compound - nitrate (with an "a"). While your tank is cycling, ammonia and nitrite levels will go alarmingly high - and the water will probably get cloudy (cloudiness not caused by ammonia and nitrite but by bacterial bloom). If you haven't already, why don't you read up on this phenomenon by doing a search on "cloudy" or "cycling". After a few weeks of filter operation, the good bacteria will build up in the bio media and ammonia and nitrite will drop to undetectible levels. Also the water will clear.

When I first set up my tank and XP3, I put Spot in it for a few days so he could provide some ammonia (ie, turtle pee) to get the bio media started. Then I moved him to a different location for a couple of weeks until the filter became established and the water cleared. You don't have to do this though, I think most people leave their turtles in while the tank cycles. Apparently for the short time the ammonia and nitrite levels are high your turtle will be ok.

I use the bio-chem zorb that came with my XP3. I bought some of the other zorbs, thinking I might need them, but since my tank was established ammonia and nitrite have tested zero, so I don't think they're needed. As long as your bio filter is working and your tank is large enough for the bio load, I don't think you need the other zorbs.

Are you planning to test your water for ammonia and nitrite? Kits to test water quality are inexpensive and easy to use. I think they are invaluable since the only way to be sure your bio filters are working (ammonia and nitrite are invisible) is with testing.

[Pizza]

Well the cheapest kit I found was $ 17.32 USD up here, I'll consider one, but can they be used indefinetely, or do they need to be replaced at some point?

[SpotsMama]

The kind I use has drops that you mix with tank water and depending on what chemicals are detected, it turns different colors. Only a few drops are needed for a test. The kit I got - it's a very popular one - is the Freshwater Master Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc. With it I can test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrates and ph. I've had it for about 6 months and I'm not close yet to the end of the supplies. For quite a while I tested every day, now I only test about once a month. I think I paid $35 US dollars for it but people assured me I was robbed.

[Pizza]

I see, that's a pretty hefty price, but as long as it works well, .

I'm not sure about that kit you mentioned, the one I looked was like a one type of indicator kit, maybe just Nitrite and Nitrate (unless all kits basically offer the same, I haven't looked in that particular store with the kits in a few weeks).

[SpotsMama]

Better be sure what the kit will test for. They don't all offer the same thing. Some of the kits only test for one thing.

And really, you shouldn't have to pay as much as I did if you shop around a bit. I bought it off the shelf at a more pricey place. You can probably get it for half what I paid.

You get these kits in the fish section of the store. If you shop on-line for fish or aquarium supplies you'll be able to find them. Like I said, the one I got is really popular and should be relatively easy to find.

[Pizza]

Alright, thanks for your advice.