Habitat - Indoor :: If I have a filter, how long before I have to clean the tank

[lazixixi]

I have a Tetra ReptoFilter For Frogs, Newts, & Turtles in a 20 gal. tank, Itz been about a week and 1 day, the water is starting to look a bit cloudy. I thought that filters were suppose to last up to 14 days. Does this mean that I have to clean the tank wenever I see the water getting a bit cloudy?

[ellman605]

yes...all filters arent the same, for example, i have an aquaclear 30-60 on my 50 gallon tank, and i rarely see the water cloudy, that doesnt mean its not dirty, and i still clean it, but they're all different

[sonyj]

Just be sure your filter is rated for 3x's the size of your tank. Turtles are very messy and you will need a really good filter to handle their tank.

[daredevilgirl013]

All filters are different, I just cleaned my tank on the third week because of the alge build up, but I know every three weeks whether the water needs changed or not I will have to change the filters as they were black with gunk. But I'm hoping to go a month this time before changing the water.

[marisa]

I don't think there's any real "rule" about how long a filter can go before it needs a cleaning, since the size (and number) of turtles, amount of water, what else is in the tank (fish, for example) and whether or not you feed in the tank are among the factors that will affect how clean the water stays. Perhaps the filter you're using isn't powerful enough...

[frogmoo]

I have gone through MANY different filters for our turtles. Our turtles started about the size of a quarter and they are now at least 6 inches long!! I recently purchased an outside canister type of filter that seems to be working. Since they are in a 55 gallon tank I run the canister filter as well as 2 Duetto filters (which are similar to the Reptofilter). Although it seems to be overkill with cleaning, it is such a large job to clean the tank often. I am just learning how much work it is to care for red eared slider turtles. Since we just moved them to a 55 gallon tank one of the harder problems that we faced was finding a suitable basking platform. Keep in mind that if you decided to move your turtles to a new location, before you do, set up the new environment to save so many problems. We purchased the floating log for our turtles and tested it before we put it into the tank to be sure that the turtles couldn't get stuck in the middle of the log. When we tested the log, neither turtle could fit in the middle. After about an hour of placing the log in the tank, I noticed that one of the turtles got in the log and could not get out. If I didn't notice, our turtle would of drowned. Please, please if you purchase something new for the tank make sure that it is safe and watch the turtles for awhile to avoid any catastophies.

[marisa]

Welcome. It was good of you to be alert to the fact that your turtle was stuck in the log.

How many 6-inch turtles do you have in that 55-gallon tank?

[bradhart]

I have an AquaClear 110 in my 40 gal long. the water is NEVER cloudy... resulting in me not cleaning it as much as I should... Heck, I don't even get algae in my tank.

[Giddy]

FYI, clear water is not an indication of clean water. I noticed that ammonia, nitratites, and nitrates still have to be managed with turtles and the only way to know if the water is dirty, is by using a test kit. Your water can be perfectly clear and still have deadly amounts of ammonia in it.

Cloudy water can also be a bacteria bloom and many forms of bacteria is beneficial, not harmful. DO any of you use a test kit?

[marisa]

I agree with you totally, Giddy, on your clear water comments.

I have Aquarium Pharmaceuticals and Nutrafin test kits, and I test regularly-- for ammonia, for nitrite, and for nitrate. Sometimes I duplicate a test I've done with one test kit (AP, for example) with the other just to spot check on whether they agree.

I also sometimes test the ph, but not as often as the other three.

[Giddy]

Thanks Marisa,

I was a little confused by the lack of talk about testing the water. That is really the only way to know how the water is doing. A tank can be very clear and be deadly..unfortunately..

I use the same kit you have...very good all around kit.

[cam722]

Yep I have the same test.. I don't test the PH that often either. I do test for my fish but not as often for the turtles. Seems I'm constantly adding water that has evaporated so in essence they get a partial water change once a week. I think that helps keep down all the nasty stuff. Those with smaller tanks really need to keep an eye on this. (not saying that those of us with larger tanks don't, but the levels can get rather high very quickly in small tanks).

[khobbs]

in response to the log, i have one of these, and on the box it says that it is suitable for turtles UP TO 4 inches. so it's always good to read what size turtles it will work for.

[RESCHIU]

is all AquaClear products work well? or only certain model?
I currently own a Fluval 1 underwater filter and a MicroFilter from Whisper for my 10 gallon tank, I can tell that it gets just a bit cloudy about 2~3 days after I did a big cleaning for my tank even though I always feed my turtle in another container and that I did small water change everyday, it still gets cloudy . My filter packaging said that it should last 3~4 weeks, and this is only the beginning of my third week, so I guess if the water is getting cloudy easier, it means it's time to change filter..?

[marisa]

AquaClear filters are good, but you need to get one that's adequate for the size tank you have. Some members have purchased the largest model, the 110, for a tank that's too small for it and haven't had good results. On the other hand, a one that's too small for the tank won't do an adequate job either.

Personally, I don't think those internal Fluvals (the 1 Plus?) do that much and would use it one for only the smallest of turts. Don't know about the Whisper filter. How clean the water stays and how often a filter needs to be cleaned depends on factors like whether you feed your turtle/s in the tank, their size, what other creatures you have in the tank...