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Hey all,

Awhile ago I purchased an Ehiem Classic 2213 canister filter. I have 10 gallons of water in a 20g long tank right now (looking for bigger tanks now that I have the money) and it is awful. I've had the media that was originally in there replaced and god forbid I feed the turtles in their tank (pellets, lettuce) it's a huge mess and I need to change the water. I'm very good aboout not over feeding but I feel like this filter is overpowered for this tank and still cant get the job done. I never see feces on the ground but it just doesn't keep the tank clean should I feed them in there.

It might be underpowered for the next tank upgrade, maybe you can get rid of it as well. Are you seeing a lot of particles in the water or does it just look unclean?

Something is wrong. The canister is defiently good enough for the size tank you have but something is wrong if your seeing unclean water. Should be good for you but if you need to switch i recommend a fluval. Never heard anyone complain about them yet and i love mine.

I'd love to get rid of it but It was kind of expensive and I don't have the money for a new tank and filter. My next tank is going to be a 48 gallon (weird measurements) and then from there starts the savings fund for a 250 gallon tank assuming they are still getting along or a few smaller separate tanks. I had the pet store that specializes in turtles set it up the only thing I did was prime it. The water is clean as long as they aren't fed in there. Even when it's dirty the particles are on the bottom and the water still looks clean. It's weird. There is some sort of film over the water that looks kind of like oil but thats impossible. You can't feel it it just looks a little slicky. it's clear.

I had a similar concern with my canister filter about not moving enough current to the opposite corner of the tank. I took the idea from my marine tank and added a power head (like a blower/fan that goes underwater). It did the trick and moved the "waste" along the opposite corner of the tank towards the filter pick-up. You can get a cheap one like 10-20 bucks as wouldn't need one that powerfull, just enough to move water evenly about the tank, it beats buying another filter. Either way I would check the filter to make sure it working properly, a film on the top of the water sometimes is from stagnent water, does your filter outlet (where the water blows out of) "break" the surface of the water?

Good Luck!

xfallwithmexo wrote:There is some sort of film over the water that looks kind of like oil but thats impossible. You can't feel it it just looks a little slicky. it's clear.

You dont have enough surface agitation if you are getting that. That oil like film actually is coming from the turtle pellets

Diamondbacks4Life wrote:

xfallwithmexo wrote:There is some sort of film over the water that looks kind of like oil but thats impossible. You can't feel it it just looks a little slicky. it's clear.

You dont have enough surface agitation if you are getting that. That oil like film actually is coming from the turtle pellets

But there aren't any pellets in the tank they get fed else where

ry4nk1msres wrote:I had a similar concern with my canister filter about not moving enough current to the opposite corner of the tank. I took the idea from my marine tank and added a power head (like a blower/fan that goes underwater). It did the trick and moved the "waste" along the opposite corner of the tank towards the filter pick-up. You can get a cheap one like 10-20 bucks as wouldn't need one that powerfull, just enough to move water evenly about the tank, it beats buying another filter. Either way I would check the filter to make sure it working properly, a film on the top of the water sometimes is from stagnent water, does your filter outlet (where the water blows out of) "break" the surface of the water?

Good Luck!

Where did you get yours?

Any aquarium store will have 'em. If they're too expensive around your way, maybe check out craigslist, or if its really an issue, I might be able to get my hands on a used one pretty cheap and ship it to you. Just make sure that there is a current flowing on the surface of the water from the filter outlet.

Thanks for the tips, I'll go hunting this weekend and see what i can find

For your size tank, since you're not looking for a TON of current (IE moving water to support corals) this hydor nano is a good powerhead. It's quiet and the magnetic mounts are nice.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... atid=21970

Of course if your wallet is heavy, and you want the best of the best. There's this guy...
http://ecotechmarine.com/vortech-mp10w- ... ller-pump/

xfallwithmexo wrote:But there aren't any pellets in the tank they get fed else where

Your rinse off your turtles before moving them back into your tank from seperate feeding area.

Diamondbacks4Life wrote:

xfallwithmexo wrote:But there aren't any pellets in the tank they get fed else where

Your rinse off your turtles before moving them back into your tank from seperate feeding area.

LMAO... another TMNT thing just popped into my head. "Turtle SHOWER!!!" (ok yes I'll admit that was a bit of a stretch)

Veipa, thanks for the links

Before I added sand I always noticed there was junk laying on the bottom of my tank, I think its normal since there might be some spots in your aquarium that aren't getting any circulation from the filter. Fishing it out with a net sometimes worked for me, or you can buy a water pump or powerhead.