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I bought a 55 Gal. at PetCo. I was upset when it wasn't included in the $1 a gallon sale, but it was only 80 dollars. A good price for Eastern CT where new 55's are 109 before tax and used on Craigs List usually run for about 100 and are usually in pretty bad condition. SO YES. My bf and I bought the 55 Gallon tank. It was a hassle, the employee service was horrible and it was a major accomplishment to get it into the back seat of a my 2 door honda civic. BUT I GOT IT. My RES is about hitting the 1 yr mark in November and he is about 3 inches long. UNFORTUNATELY I cannot set up his tank just yet. We are moving from my HOUSE into a APARTMENT this weekend.. I am just too poor to get a sweet filter. But!! Once I am settled into the apartment, and have all the bills sorted I am most def. going to get the most AWESOMEST filter I can. Now time for some questions!!

I am absolutely CLUELESS about canister filters. I understand they are the best, and most people seem to prefer either the xP's or the Fluval. I've seen other brands, like Marineland. Does brand really matter as long as it is rated for 3-5 times the size of your tank? I've noticed most canisters are rated at that already, if it says it is good for up to 75 gallons it actually is. ALSO, as for media. If you have a particular brand of filter do you have to buy that same brand of media? When I stroll the the filter aisles at the store, I see all the media LOOKS the same. Is it? Also, for a 55 gallon tank with a (CURRENTLY) small turtle.. Should I worry about his head getting sucked through a tube? Or the current being to strong?I figure if he could be sucked through a tube I could fix a screen around the end of each one, don't want to lose any limbs. And Finally (for now ) what is a median price range I should be looking at? I've seen xP's going for about 125 everywhere, so I will assume that is the norm for that brand.

If any of you could explain this ( maybe there is something i forgot that you might like to add also! ) or maybe most a link to a website that will explain things in simple terms (AGAIN COMPLETELY NEW TO CANSITERS) that would be great!!!! (:

For your size tank, you're right to look at a canister filter.
I personally think brand matters. The Rena XPs are my favorites as I've heard overall the best reviews for them, and I think you get the most bang for your buck. Fluvals are also good. For your size tank, I think the XP3 is a good fit.

As for the medium, you can get other brands I assume, but it's most convenient to get the same brand. Depending on how many compartments you have in your filter will determine which media to use. You'll want biostars to start the biological filtration, and coarse and fine media for mechanical filtration.

As for the current, you can adjust that. The important thing is to seal the screen on the end of intake and output tubes so that they can't fall off. That's where you'd be worried about your turtle getting a limb stuck.

The price depends on where you buy the filter and what kind you opt to buy. You can sometimes find cheaper filters on EBay but keep in mind that shipping may reduce how much you save by a lot. I bought mine on sale at petsmart for a little over $100 (for an xp3). While you're saving, keep your eyes out and you may find a good sale.

Thank you! If you are familiar with the xp3, is it relatively easy to use? How long is its life expectancy if properly maintained? Thanks again (:

I have an XP. Yes they are very easy to use, and clean!

It should run a very long time if properly maintained. I would expect years of use from it.

as weird as the question sounded....
can the turtles be hurt from the suction tubes??

there have been cases where the strainer on the intake gets knocked off and turtles legs get stuck in the intake tube and drown. thats why alot of people aquarium silicone to glue it on