Equipment Review and Discussion :: New Tank for Mr. Tortuga - Advice

[Mike S]

Hello Group,

I finally saved enough money to purchase Mr. Tortuga his long awaited new tank. Mr. T is 10" from the front to the back of his shell. He currently resides in a 40 gallon bow tank which is filled with water a little more than 1/2 way to the top. This is his third tank as he keeps outgrowing them. I use a Fluval 305 filter. I found a 120 gallon tank made by Top Fin. The dimensions are as follows:
60.5" length
29.8" hight
18.5" width
I plan to use a Fluval 406 which is good for 100 gallons. I will only fill the tank 1/2 or 2/3 up with water. I am hoping I won't need to get a bigger tank some day. This one sits on a nice black wood base with doors and shelves. Looks like a nice piece of furniture for my finished basement. Comments? Thoughts?

Thanks,
Mike

[steve]

Are you sure Mr. Tortuga is not Ms. Tortuga?

The tank dimensions you wrote would be for a 140 gallon tank. Perhaps you should consider the Fluval FX5?

[Mike S]

Hi Steve,

I could have measured incorrectly. From what the vet told me he is a male. He is the largest male RES that this dr has ever seen. I should research the fluval FX5. Whether the tank is 120 or 140 would either be good for him?

Thanks,
Mike

[happycamper]

I have a Fluval FX5 and I LOVE it!

[steve]

He could be one of the largest males at 10". Yes the FX5 would be great for any tank 100+ gallons.

[vear]

Ooooh! How exciting! Please post pictures when you're all set up!

[VeipaCray]

The fluval 406 is WAY WAY WAY too small of a filter for a 10" RES in that size tank. You'd honestly be throwing your money away if you bought that filter for this purpose.

See this thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145

I know I haven't put the 406 on there yet... but it's basicly the same filtration capacity as the 405. It won't do much past 40 gallons.

The FX5 is DEFINITELY the filter you want.

[PridgNYC]

+1 on the FX5, I have one on my 75 gallon, and it has kept the water crystal clear for 5 months now with no maintenance, besides adding more water to the tank due to evaporation.

[Mike S]

Thanks all. I am probably getting next week. I will go with the FX5.

[steve]

Congrats on the future upgrade. My XP3s have been going strong, otherwise I would've joined the FX5 owner's group

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Woot FX5 for the win. My choice and use for a filter

[Mike S]

OK I have the tank and stand and the FX5! Just waiting for the filters and media to come in on Saturday. He keeps looking at it from across the room. He will be moving from a studio apartment to a Mc Mansion. I think I will only fill it 1/2 to 3/4 with water. Thoughts? How do you post photos??

[VeipaCray]

The more water, the better. It adds swim space and it helps dissipate the waste to a safer level until the filter can process it.

Directions for posting a picture to this forum: viewtopic.php?t=1811

If you can find an inexpensive foam mat (think placemat) or something to put under the FX5, it helps a lot with the noise. The FX5 itself is quiet, but the motor is attached to the outside side of the canister and it can vibrate as it runs... some stands turn that vibration into a loud echoing hum. The foam mat is a very cheap fix.

[Mike S]

Hey Steve,

You may be right! Mr. Tortuga might be a Ms. Tortuga. His claws arent that long and neither is his tail. Doing some more research. Hope to post some pics soon.

Mike

[steve]

You can email me the pics to post if you're having trouble. Interesting if the vet missed it.

http://www.redearslider.com/determining_sex.html