General Care Discussion :: more Stupid Questions

[the_mushroom]

Hi,

i'm sorry but i have to ask these stupid questions since i don't know..

i bought myself a submersible water filter yesterday, and since the person at the store was a complete dumb [---], i couldn't get any information about how to run this thing.

Questions

How long do i have to run the filter in a day? do i keep it on the whole day?

the current that the filter gives out is quite strong so both my turtles just come and hang on to the basking stone to avoid being spun in circles (i have a circular tub) is the strong current normal?

I don't even know how to fit the thing, or how it works (apart from the fact that i know where the filter is) it came with a tube with something else on the other end..the guy at the store said it's to be kept outside water (he also said it was insignificant and i could just not use it if i wanted to)
so does that tube, so inside or outside the water?

the last one, what's that thing in the fish tank which bubbles? i mean it has bubbles coming out of the tube..is that a filter too?

damn i sound foolish



Help

[Hoooneylynn]

First off, no question is a stupid question, and you are not foolish for asking.

Yes, you need to keep the filter on all day. Is there anyways you can adjust the filter outtake? What kind of filter do you have? Im not sure what you mean about bubbles, is it coming from the intake ?(where the water gets sucked into the filter) Is there anyway you can take a picture so we can help you hook it up? Was the tube the guy is talking about an extension tube? I think it would be helpful if you told us what kind of filter, even if you dont know the name, what style... is it fully submerged? does it hang on the back of the tank? Does it sit on the floor? Then we will be able to help you hook it up.

[the_mushroom]

well okay, i don't think i can give you a picture..

but it's the Boyu SP1000A http://www.boyuaquarium.com/pro-submersiblefiltere.htm

i don't think there's an option to adjust the filter outtake

the bubbles, well just forget about the bubbles for now..

it's a fully submersible filter, it takes in water through the bottom (the filter part) and throws it out through a nozzle..now my problem is that the water pressure is a little too much, because both my turtles are like hanging on to the water for dear life (not exactly, but they are unable to swim around easily) and as far as i know i have a decent sized tub (the metric system, so i don't know how many gallons and stuff)

the guy said it's supposed to be fully submerged because it heats us if it's not..

i'm very clueless about this, i'm sorry i'm not normally technologically challenged[/url]

[the_mushroom]

http://www.boyuaquarium.com/image/SP-1000AB.JPG

now you see the tube coming out on that picture, right? please tell me where that goes

[SpotsMama]

On the size of your tub, go ahead and give it to us in metric - we'll be able to convert. Also, how much water is in there - in other words, is it filled to a few inches or centimeters high, is it half full, two-thirds full? That sort of thing.

I'm a little concerned that the turtles are hanging on for dear life. Why don't you turn the filter off for right now until we get this thing figured out.

With all of us working collectively on this, we'll get to the bottom of it!

[pumpkinsherbet]

that's a queer looking thing it does look a little like a submersible water heater. the heater has a marking on it that says ''minimum water level" meaning the water should at least cover to that line, maybe check the filter for that marking as well (sometimes it's hard to see cuz it's just kinda carved on instead of painted on). did it come with instructions? i mean, did it come with clear instructions?

i would still go out and get another filter, since the current is too strong it's going to wind up doing more harm than good in the long run. your turtles being scared of the current thus spending all their time on land will keep them from building their muscle tone and lung capacity, so when they get bigger they'll be poor swimmers. if they get caught in the current it's physical & emotional stress, which will make them more susceptible to diseases.

i have the marineland penguin bio-wheel 330 filter for my 55 gallon tank. it's rated for 75 gallons, but the current isn't so strong that my turtles fear it. as a matter of fact, they love to float on the current, and aeryn will sometimes try to drink out of a water fall. there are other sizes as well, i'll link you to it. it's got a carbon bag (mine came with 2, but it has the capacity to hold 4, is currently holding 3) and bio wheel, is quiet, easy to maintain, minimum fill line is clearly marked (not in words but in grates), and the instructions are very clear. i also like that it's an out-of-the tank filter, which gives my little ones more swimming space.

the link
http://www.marineland.com/products/cons ... ilters.asp

hope that helps.

[DavidY]

Your filter is basically a powerhead with a filter cartridge attached to the intake. It will do pretty much what any submersible filter will do except without all the housing. At the rated 550L/hr (or 120gal/hr) it shouldn't be blowing your turtles around unless it is in a very small tank.

Try putting it in different positions to see if you can reduce the overall turbulence in the water (so the turtles can have at least some area where they can stay submerged without having to fight the current. Also, you don't need the air hose part. That's for the air venturi part of the pump where air is sucked into the output and force mixed with the water to create fine bubbles. This is for increased gas exchange which is beneficial but makes it hard to see in the water. The turbulence on the surface should be good enough.

There are other ways to reduce the force of the output from the pump, but it requires some modification to the output and may not look that good. If you can exchange it for a more conventional cannister filter, you may want to do that instead.

[the_mushroom]

i hardly think i'll be able to exchange this filter..

i'm going to try though, and well maybe the tank is small for the turtles (just waiting for enough money to buy a big one)

what kind of modifications are we talking about?

Oh and DavidY, napoleon seems to be sick again, i'm going to take him to a vet asap

[DavidY]

Well, you can get a length of flexible tubing that is just big enough to fit over the output of the powerhead. Then connect the other end of the hose to a piece of rigid PVC pipe that is capped on the other end and has holes drilled in a row along the length of it. You will need two fittings to adapt the flexible hose to the PVC. One will be a PVC connector with a smooth female fitting that you cement to the PVC pipe, and the other side of it will be threaded. The second fitting will fit the threaded section of the PVC adapter and then have a hose barb on the other side to connect to the flexible tubing. You can then use a suction cub holder to mount the PVC pipe along the top edge of your tank and let the water spray downwards at an angle into the tank. This will provide better aeration and some turbulence, but the hose and spray bar will restrict the flow somewhat as well as disperse the flow across a wider spread (instead of all out one single jet).

Sorry to hear napolean is sick again. What are his symptoms? It's good that you're taking him to the vet.

[the_mushroom]

what would be ideal dimensions for a habitat for two turtles?

it'd be better if i had the suggestions in 'feet' (i mean 2x4 ft etc.)

i asked the local pet store and they said that they make tanks according to requirements..

[DavidY]

Ooh, a custom tank. Very nice!

The general guideline is 10 gallons for every 1" of turtle. Adult males max out around 7 to 9" while females from 10 to 12". So if you have if you need a 200 gallon tank, you'd be looking at something like 6ft x 2ft x 2ft. That's going to be expensive.

[pumpkinsherbet]

there's nothing regarding health codes that would prevent you from being able to return the filter. it's not perishable either. the place should let you return or exchange it, if not that's just bad business. trust me i have way too much experience in retail.

if you need to find out how many gallons you have there is a tank calculator on this site. here's the link:
http://redearslider.com/calculator.html

[the_mushroom]

Thanks so much man..

I kind of solved that problem today, just adjusted the outflow nozzle towards the tub so the current's way better now and the're not being bothered. I think they like it too..

About the tank..thanks for the link.

(and about Retail, this was a hole in the wall shop i was talking about, turtles are illegal here and you still get turtle food freely, bureaucracy..