Habitat - Indoor :: Canister filter question...

[JimmyJam]

I am not sure if I am posting in the correct place and if not I will be sure where to post next time.

I received a RES from my girlfriends co-worker, her son who grew bored of it didn't want it anymore. And being the big hearted person I am I couldn't resist him going to a possible bad home. They gave him to me in a 10 gal aquarium... which got me quite upset to see since I have a fairly good background with herps. The freaking setup consisted of fish tank gravel which I know is a no no, and one of those hide logs they sell at petco, which had rusted staples in it. Due to a shortage on cash it took me a few weeks, but I just got a 45 gal acrylic tank for him at the moment. I need to go and purchase a filter, preferabaly a canister filter. The problem is I am such a newbie when it comes to filters.

I have seen some people using crazy GPH flow rated filters like 700 GPH etc, and have been told the better the filtration the better the water quality. I just want to know what would be recommended for my setup. I would like something better than the bare minimum required.

Thanks in advance.

[Chrisbarnett]

I would recommend a Rena Filstar XP3.

[Daniel3507]

you need a filter that can cycle your tank at least 3 times an hour but 5 is ideal. alot of people use rena xp3 on here but i dont have any expierence with them

[JimmyJam]

Yea, I was thinking the same... But would the default max intake be too strong for my RES? I saw some threads concerning the intake strength, but that was for the XP5. By the way is there any good websites that would have a good deal on the XP3?

Kinda off topic, but your avatar makes me want a crested again haha, I used to have one about 6 years ago. They are I would say some fo the coolest geckos and super easy to care for.

[JimmyJam]

you need a filter that can cycle your tank at least 3 times an hour but 5 is ideal. alot of people use rena xp3 on here but i dont have any expierence with them

So then any canister that filters 225 GPH would be what you recommend?

[Daniel3507]

pretty much. i like really clean water though so i tend to go with alot of filtration

[Chrisbarnett]

how big is your turtle?
If it's not a hatchling, then it will have no problems with the flow. If you are really concerned, you could use the spray bar, but beware that those suck.
The best deal I have found on a XP3, is at Kensfish, but i'm not sure how reliable they are.
http://kensfish.com/filstarcanisterfilters.html

you could also print that out, take it to petsmart, and they should pricematch it.

and yes, 225gph would be fine, I have a XP1 in my 55 gal and it does a great job, it's 250GPH.

Haha nice! cresteds are pretty cool. In the photo gallery there is some pictures of my Juvenille. on the second page, check em out if you like.

[mat012]

you need a filter that can cycle your tank at least 3 times an hour but 5 is ideal. alot of people use rena xp3 on here but i dont have any expierence with them

So then any canister that filters 225 GPH would be what you recommend?

Yeah but I would go up a bit. Maybe the XP2 or 3. There will be some reduction in flow from the advertised gph and a larger filter can move to a larger tank. Good luck - you sound like you are giving the guy a good home!

[JimmyJam]

Haha I'm trying, I figure when I get my next pay check I should have his tank up and running. I just wish I could have afforded him a larger tank, but I figured him living in a 10 gal for who knows how long will be a big change for him being in a 45 gal. When I move I will get him of course a bigger home.

[untsmurf]

I would get as big of a filter as you can, the xp3 is great, I have 2. That way you can move it up to a larger tank when you get one. Just fyi, watch for tank sales at petco and look on craigslist. Your area almost always has huge tanks going for pretty cheap.

Also, bigalsonline.com is a pretty good place for the XP3's. I know every now and then, they sell them for $99

[JimmyJam]

Thanks untsmurf. Craigslist is where I found my 45 gal acrylic, I paid $150 for the tank, a nice stand, and a nice canopy. All I need is to purchase the lighting and install it. As for the filter, I will go with what Chrisbarnett mentioned, $120 vs Petsmart for $190.

[Squishy]

For something that you can transfer to his final large tank, the guys here got me hooked on the Fluval FX5 canister. It's fairly new, so you may not find any used ones on Craigslist (I couldn't), but I got a new one for $240 CAD from a private seller. Here they go for $350-400 new in a store; I don't know what it's like across the border.

[Daniel3507]

i got my fx5 for $200 shipped from ebay. it could be a little strong of an output for a 45 gal tank though. i had to spend alot of time adjusting the outlets on mine so the water current wasnt to strong

[JimmyJam]

i got my fx5 for $200 shipped from ebay. it could be a little strong of an output for a 45 gal tank though. i had to spend alot of time adjusting the outlets on mine so the water current wasnt to strong

Yea that's what I've been reading here on the forums, and well the FX3 will be what I get, when I do upgrade his tank it won't be for quite a while until i get "my" bigger enclosure haha. But when I do upgrade I'd just by the FX5 since I plan on getting a 100 gal.

Thanks everyone for the tips, this forum is like nothing I've seen all of you are so helpful THANKS A BUNCH!