Habitat - Indoor :: Mikey's upgrade

[way2fst4u]

My babies like to swim in the jets of my filter...it pushes them back, but they keep coming back for more...and they do it for like an hour at a time! Take the advice...2-3X the fish rating is a good rule of thumb!

[daredevilgirl013]

Mikey literally gets shoved around the container now because of his filter. I literally see him going down to where the filter is and then back up to where the water comes out, and he is fighting it the whole way. That's what worries me.

[steve]

I would also keep it on a lower setting... you do not want a filter that can trap a baby res or impede its swimming ability.

[daredevilgirl013]

I don't know how to lower the setting it doesn't say how to in the instructions, but on that link that I gave on the first page it says it can be.

[cam722]

The solution is very easy here, but I know you're going to say you can't do it. You need to get a bigger container. He needs a way to get away from any current a filter can create. A 5 gallon container just isn't big enough.

You said you spend $13 a week or more for water to keep it clean for him, if you had a proper enclosure and filter you'd not have to be spending that much. By the way, why do you have to pay for water for his tank? Is there a reason you can't use your tap water? Is there any way you can order your equipment online. Filters bought on the internet can be 1/4 of the price of what they are in the stores as can heaters, lights etc. The only thing other than foods I buy locally are the tanks. (well maybe a few decorations too). If you have a petsmart near you, they do price matching with their online price. You just need to print out the page of the item(s) you wish to buy and they'll give it to you for that price in the store. There are a lot of ways to get quality things for your turtles at lower prices.

[daredevilgirl013]

Our water, even if we try and treat it for the animals will kill them. We used to have a large fish tank and the water killed all the fish. So I buy my water now instead of risking it. And the nearest petsmart is an hour away. And the closest pet store that sells turtle stuff is half an hour away so I go there instead of petsmart in order to save on gas. And I don't think this filter was very expensive like 7 bucks or something.

And I was hoping with the filter I wouldn't have to spend that much with water. But if I do, well then I do. I know he needs a bigger container but that's all he can get for right now. Plus he needs to get a little bigger too. I said though if I did leave it on all the time we would have one heck of a strong turtle that could really swim.

[flutterby]

Our petsmart is about an hour away. You'd probably save more money in the long run by going to petsmart. I got a $70 filter there for only $35. (Just had to print the online ad first) But in the end the choice is yours.

[marisa]

Is the outlet of the filter adjustable? Can you angle it so the water hits the side of the container as it comes out?

[way2fst4u]

Mine was pretty rough until I added a spray bar to the output...

[sonyj]

I've watched Koopa deliberately swim into the current of the filter and fight against it. Sometimes it would push him under or out of the way and he'd just start all over, so I figure it's good excercise for him. Sort of like a treadmill for turtles...

[daredevilgirl013]

I don't think it's adjustable in the way that you are talking at least it doesn't say so in the directions. I'll figure I'll just have to call the place. And I just notice that Mikey is calmer without that filter running as when it is running he's like a hyperactive kid and paniced. So I have a plan for now. When I take him outside to sun I'll just turn his filter on then.

[steve]

my cheap filter i use for fish has a sliding lever near the inlet... it just basically creates a greater obstruction.

[marisa]

And many have outlets that can be moved to direct the water flow. See if yours doesn't move.

[way2fst4u]

change the outlet to a spray bar...your LFS should have whatever you need for less than $10.

[daredevilgirl013]

I figured out how to turn the output head so it wasn't pointing right at him. That helped. They really need to put this stuff in the instructions. But the company did write me back finally and they said, Petco lied on their website, our filters do no such thing as have a way to control the intake and outtake. You should take your filter back and get a different one.

Oh weren't they just so helpful and nice!! *yeah right* So I just ahd to laugh at that. But he isn't stressed out anymore and he likes to sit on that filter every once in a while. Basically he's having a hayday playing around in there.