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I am looking for a filter for a res that's about 3 or 4 months old . I tried and returned a Tetra ReptoFilter. The water pressure was so strong the little guy became tried from the currents after a few mins. I want to get a good filter like the fluval Fx5. Any ideas on filters or how to use a filter without the water current being too strong.

Thanks

The FX5 is a powerful filter meant for larger turtles in larger tanks... 75 gallons and larger. I don't think there are any filters weaker in all regards than the ReptoFilter.

Fx5 is designed for a 400 gallon aquarium, or about a 150 with a turtle. This is a great idea to get a jump on having this for when you have to upgrade when you little turtle gets older.

The fx5 comes with flow controls BUT i do no believe you would be able to throttle it slow enough for a hatchlin or juvenile. Maybe a juvenile to adult would be able to handle it.

I would save it's worth a try, but just know, its going to be very powerful!

Thanks for the responses. At petco they said to partly block the flow with a rock to slow it. Any thoughts on that.

Seems like the only thing I can do is feed outside the tank and change the water every 2 or 3 days. Seems like a huge waste of water. I wonder what people with baby turtles usually do to keep the water clean.

What size is your tank?

You can aim the output at the glass instead of directly back into the water, or diffuse the output by putting a pre-filter sponge over it.

It is a plastic tub I believe is 30 or 40 gallon. I am planning on buying 120 gallon soon for future proofing.

KingTurtle wrote:Thanks for the responses. At petco they said to partly block the flow with a rock to slow it. Any thoughts on that.

Seems like the only thing I can do is feed outside the tank and change the water every 2 or 3 days. Seems like a huge waste of water. I wonder what people with baby turtles usually do to keep the water clean.

Most people start out with a tiny filter (which they think is a good filter) that works OK for baby turts and are financially challenged when it's time for a proper filter. Buying the FX5 up front is definitely cheaper in the long run. Instead of spending a few dollars on a filter for a baby turtle, why not get the baby turtle a larger tupperware bin for like $10 until you can get the massive 120Gal tank? The larger bin would help with the powerful stream of water and additionally you could point the filter output at the side of the tub, close down the OUTPUT (never the input) valve as mentioned by others.

If you are going to get the 120 gallon tank anytime soon, I'd say go with the FX5 now if you can. I moved my RES to 125 gallons when I'd had her about six months. I don't know how old she was when I got her, but she was only an inch or less. When I moved her I would say she was close to three inches. She handled the FX5 just fine, even with the output pointed directly out into the tank.

I like VC's suggestion of bigger bin now with FX5 until you get your 120 gallon.

That's great info. I was using the Tetra ReptoFilter in the 5 gallon tank I had for the first week. Sounds like the small amount water that was part of the problem. These are all good tricks if the fx5 is too powerful now. I am glad to hear that when he is about 3 inches the fx5 could be perfect without having to do anymore tricks on the water pressure.

You could also look at going to a hardware store a buying a small piece of either PVC or tubing. Then punch holes into it and create a water-bar that you can attach to the output. This will diffuse the water pressure over the length of the tube and not be as forceful.

Thanks good thinking. I will try the pvc pipe or tubing idea

Just make sure the holes in the spraybar are large enough or you will create a few rocket streams and blow the scutes off your turtle .

VeipaCray wrote:Just make sure the holes in the spraybar are large enough or you will create a few rocket streams and blow the scutes off your turtle .

VC, lol, that's terrible!

I like the idea of the fountain bar, too. Another possibility is to create a fountain of sorts. Put a bowl on a stand under the outflow, let it fill the bowl, and then it should just run over the side creating very little current at all!