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So I've got a 55 gallon tank, with about 45 gallons of water in it. I've got an Eheim canister filter that is for up to 80 gallons of water. I don't think the filter is helping at all, it's just not powerful enough. There is constantly green and brown algae everywhere. I guess the brown stuff is some form of algae, though when you clean it off it seems to dissolve as if it were dust. When Donnie poops, it just sinks to the bottom, the filter doesn't even bother it. Of course I scoop out what I see, but I'm not there 24/7 waiting for his bowels to move. At first I thought that being near a window might be causing some of the problem, but I put a thick blanket over the window which completely blocks out all sunlight and still I'm in the same situation. It doesn't even look like the water is moving in the tank, so I really don't think this filter is powerful enough. Any suggestions on upgrades/media to help reduce the algae/brown stuff? Thanks.

Try adding a powerhead to get better water movement, that may help if you are not able to upgrade the equipment you already have. It also sounds like you might need more mechanical filtration in your filter.

But it looks like your filtration is not adequate. It's suggested you get a filter that can cycle your water 5 times within an hour.

so 45 X 5 = 225GPH.

Most Eheims aren't rated this high, and the ones that are are big bucks.

It seems most people prefer the Rena XP3, the Fluval 404, and FX5 for their filtration needs.

Do the higher GPH filters have more suction power, to be able to actually suck up the waste and turtle poop?

Filters in general don't have a lot sucking power. It's best if you have the output aiming toward the intake, so it can sweep the junk close enough for the filter to suck it up.

I agree.

I have a 55g tank, with an emperor 400 HOB filter
I had a powerhead flowing currents around my tank

but recently my dad had to repossess it for his own uses
and now it doesn't do as great a job without the powerhead haha

I'll have it back soon though