redearslider.com

I have a 125 gal tank with 2 large canister filters on it and just cleaned one of the filters about 2 weeks ago. The other filter isn't due to be cleaned for another month but the water is so cloudy and just looks dirty. I've done 2 50% water changes in the past week and it's not helped. The ammonia levels are still so high. Should I keep up the partial water changes or leave it alone for a few days. I guess the tank is cycling since the last filter service, but I never clean both at the same time to hopefully avoid cycling. The filter output on the one I just cleaned is much less than it was when I first cleaned it. Not sure what that's all about.

What media do you have in your canisters? Was your water dechlorinated when you did your water changes? I would do 20% water changes to keep the ammonia down weekly and let it finish it's cycle. The out put I'm not sure about, hopefully someone with more filter experience will come around. They are going to need to know what filters you are using.

My filters are fluval 405 and a Eheim canister I can't remember the model of (it's rated for 125 gal tank). Eheim uses coarse pad on bottom, carbon on top of that, ceramic rings above the carbon and a polishing pad on top. Fluval has carbon in bottom basket, ceramic rings in top 2 baskets and the coarse pads that fit alongside the baskets in their separate area. I didn't dechlorinate the water because the tap water in my area is such that my vet says it's best to not use any water conditioners. It's never been a problem in the past. I might take the polishing pad out of the eheim in case it's clogged and slowing down the flow. It just looks so disgusting I can't stand it. I did a 50% water change yesterday and the ammonia levels were still 6.0-8.0 this morning.

If it's never happened before maybe something changed in your water supply. I know you have a huge tank but try to let the water your going to use for a water change sit out 24 hours for the chlorine to evaporate. Chloramines won't evaporate though. If you change your carbon frequently that should grab that. VeipaCray tells people to use Purigen instead of carbon. He says it works better and is rechargable. I haven't tried it yet, but a lot of people on this forum has followed his lead and love it. I plan on using it when I complete my move. Polishing pad could be your problem for the water flow.

I've never had this problem before and I'm using the same ground water we've always had. I did take out the polishing pad and it has much better flow now, BUT when I hooked it back up and turned it back on the tank was flooded with nasty brown water from the filter. I didn't clean the filter this time since it was just done 2 weeks ago, but most of what had accumulated in it in the past 2 weeks just went back in the tank. NASTY. The poor turts were looking at me like "what the hell mom!" Problem compounded. So, I did another 50% water change just so I could see the turtles in the tank. It was that bad. Guess I'll just wait and see if it improves over the next couple days. I'm tempted to clean the other filter early in case it's overloaded, but those fluvals are a BITCH to prime even with the hose valves closed off. The little "easy prime pump" thingy on top is a joke. FML!

These filters can be a dream when working correctly and a nightmare when not. I feel for you. I only have one turtle in a 55 with an xp3 and thankfully no problems. I can imagine with a 125 the hassle it must be if somethings not working correctly. Good Luck

Thanks. I hope things clear up without too much more hassle. It's a huge eye sore in my living room to have this massive tank looking like it's never been cleaned in it's life. If people come over they'll be like "ewww, gross" instead of "wow, nice tank". It sucks. Thank you for your advice. I will definitely look into getting different stuff for the filter.

No matter how well I clean my filter, there is always a jolt of gunk when I turn it back on. Re-priming the filter probably loosens some of the accumulated material.

Do you think the cloudiness came from waste, like loose stools or broken up poop?

It looks like waste. It's like the filters aren't filtering even though there is plenty of flow. It's even worse (didn't think that was possible) today. I have no choice but to start over from scratch. Clean both filters and totally replace the tank water. I can barely see the turtles in the tank, it's that bad. I have no idea what changed. I'm using the same type of filter media, same water.

Oh, poor you! What a nightmare-
(I'm just a newbie when it comes to filters, but I feel for you...)

Veipacray where are you? Get in your phone booth and put your cape on! (I'm showing my age with that one)

Well i know when i feed mine turkey their tank gets VERY couldy, try to just bleach out the inside of the tank, (make sure its all gone when ur done) and it might be algae in the silicone or something.

Are they being fed in tank? What are the given?

Love of Animals wrote:Veipacray where are you? Get in your phone booth and put your cape on! (I'm showing my age with that one)

LMAO. I missed this thread. Could someone please just pickup the batphone and call me next time?

I'll try to remember the batphone next time. Sounds like her water flow is bypassing her media.