Habitat - Indoor :: Tank Filters and Heating Sources

[CReeder14]

Ok, So I plan to pick up my 150 gallon tank on friday, that will eventually hold two hatchling painted turtles, and then I'm going to start formulating plans for a basking area of some sort... but in the meantime, I want to get more information about the heating and filter requirements of a tank my size...

As far as the filters go, At first I was under the impression that one filter recommended for a tank around this size would be sufficient, however I seem to be finding many references to using two filters of the same type for a particular gallonage of tank... (for instance two xp3 filters that pump 350 gph each, one said listed to be suitable for a 175 gallon tank)

And then as far as the heating and light sources for the tank, I know that There will need to be a heating element/light that is directed over the basking area to provide an area of more intense heat for the turtle, but other than that is there any other lights that are needed for the tank? for instance, does the water (most likely that under the above tank basking area) need to be lit? or would the lighting of the room be sufficient? (at night the light would be turned off though)

And then I know that the water it self will most likely need a waterbased heating source to keep it at the proper temperatures, but is there any kind of particular brand of heater that I should consider, or maybe some specifications that I need to keep an eye out for or something like that?

Anyway, thanks

[N4784N R4613]

One filter will keep the water QUALITY(as in Ammonia, Nitrites, and nitrates go) nice, but if you want to get allot of the "junk" out of the water, and off of the floor of the tank, then you should get two filters(a filter input on each end of the tank). That should suck up allot of it, but there will always be "dead spots"(places in the tank where the "junk" settles of the floor, these are easily cleaned up by a turkey baster). I would recommend two XP3s, or even two XP4s!!

No, as long as the turtles can see the light shining into the tank from the basking spot, you do not have to light the water.

I would recommend two(or three, if you live in a cold climate) 250 watt Visi-Therm Stealth Heaters.

Good luck with your upgrade!!!

[megcornell]

As for the filters, it's ideal to have one rated for 2-3x the size of the tank. What I would do is go for the XP4 which is rated for 450gallons I think. If as the turtles grow and add more waste to the tank you find you need more filtration then you can always add on an XP3 or a smaller filter to help make up the difference. But I think just an XP3 will be fine for now but will be overpowered eventually.
In a large tank, you'll want one heater on each end to keep the water consistent throughout. The stealth heaters are really some of the best out there, I'd go for them.
A lot of people on here have made their own basking areas, take a look at some of the pictures for some ideas to get your own basking area started

Good Luck!

[N4784N R4613]

No, the XP4 pumps at 450 GPH, it is rated for 265 gallons. Now the Fluval FX5 is rated for 400 gallons, and I have two of them on my 240 gallon turtle tank.

[CReeder14]

As far as the two xp3 or xp4 filters goes, I think for right now I might just get one xp4 filter... the turtles in question are only 07 bred hatchlings and I don't think that even two of them would produce enough waste to require two xp4s or even and xp4 and an xp3... however later in their life I might pick up another, slightly smaller, filter to make up any difference i see in the waste production...

And for the heaters, I live in the inland northwest (eastern washington) The summers get relativley hot and the winters get rather cold (often below freezing temperatures) so i might get three of the heaters just incase...

And I plan on getting everything for the tank set up and running before I even think about getting the turtles... just to make sure that I have the tank running at the proper temperatures and such...

but anyway, thanks for the advice...