General Care Discussion

So I have two turtles, both are about 4 inches and live together in a tank. I've given them proper lighting, basking area, available UVB, and feed them with greens and pellets normally. Andddd I've had them for about 3 years.

lol Well lately, one of them (Kiwi) has been occasionally hovering next to the filter opening (Not sure what that is called, but it's the part where it sucks in stuff). And whenever that happens, the filter makes a scratchy sound and I always get worried and distract Kiwi to make it get away from there. Even though it easily can get away from the filter, I'm worried that one day it'll have a leg or something stuck in there! I have a feeling that it's doing that for attention because almost everytime it does that, I'm usually near the tank so I can come and distract it. -__- Is there any way to make it stop doing that?! I get very worrysome!

And the filter is called ReptoFilter.

It's a one piece filter correct? That would be good since an intake fitting can't fall off and trap a limb but it's possible for nails to get caught in the grill. The best possible solution is to use a canister filter and make your own intake tube with PVC and holes drilled into it.

Thanks! And I think I've seen those homemade filters before. Alot of petstores do that right? But besides the nail problem, do you think there's anyother harm? He doesnt really put his hands in there as much as he covers the opening with his elbow... D:

he should be good. At 4inches that a pretty bif turtle and has the power to get away. Its when their small you just have to watch. He wont get stuck from just the suction. Also seeing as your using a reptofilter i know the grill open sizes. It is about impossiable for it to get suck by those at that size.

Hows the filter doing cleaning the tank water wise? Reptofilters actually arnt that great of a filter for turtles of that size. Di loom into a better filter later on if you can. It will make your life easier not having to clean the tank so much.

"Di loom" ?? o.O Explain to me what that is, please? lol

and Yes, I can tell the filter ain't the best but it's the first one I ever bought! My mom's not going to let me buy a new one anytime soon and this one isn't too bad except for when I have to change it every month or soo. It keeps my tank very clean actually! Unless all the nasty stuff is just hidden in the rocks...... lolol

The water looks clean, but what are the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels?

Zova Dot wrote:"Di loom" ?? o.O Explain to me what that is, please? lol

A very bad mis type lol. Anyway it should say: Id look

^lolol Okay thanks Diamondbacks4life!

I'll look into other filters when we're ready.

And VeipaCray.. T.T I WISH I KNEW, but don't you need a kit for that?

Zova Dot wrote:^lolol Okay thanks Diamondbacks4life! I'll look into other filters when we're ready.

And VeipaCray.. T.T I WISH I KNEW, but don't you need a kit for that?

yes you do.

I don't know, my mom doesn't like spending money for a turtle...

Dot - You will have to deal with you mom-money issue however having turtles is not cheap. It sounds like you will need to keep your turtle away from the intake-suction side of the filter. Sometimes turtles will sit by the suction to see what it brings by him so he can catch it or eat what ever is coming by. He could be hiding. Good Luck!

Hmm That sounds reasonable but lately, he hasn't been doing much of this lately. Probably because I don't sit around the tank. Usually when i sit at the desk beside them, he CONSTANTLY moves to the filter!! I bet it's attention more than anything, but I could be wrong. Anyway, turtles can grow out of behaviors right?

General Care Discussion :: My turtle likes to hover near the filter! Is it dangerous?!

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