Equipment Review and Discussion :: 2 Filters - any reason why not?

[TobyRES]

Hey all!

I have a little dinky Zeolite filter (The small one on this page: http://www.aquananos.com/products/turtle/filter.html) with my baby RES, but I've just bought a much larger tank and a much larger canister filter (60L tank and Fluval 405 filter). I'm preparing for the setup of the new tank, and I was thinking since this dinky filter actually makes a kinda nice fountain sound if you set it up to pour above the water, I might leave the Fluval filter on at all times and have this filter on the top corner of the tank...I'll just plug it in when I want a nice fountain-like sound in the background. Is there any reason why that would be a bad idea? Could the Zeolite in this filter in any way cause problems for the Fluval filter?

Thanks!

[steve]

I would be wary of it since it says "turtle filter". Your tank is only 60 liters? That's about 15 gallons and the 405 might be too much for that tank. I'd run an air pump or something else if you just something decorative.

[TobyRES]

The 405 was the only one they had available...that or the 105. I thought it'd be better to have too strong than too weak, no? Then I can use the same filter when I upgrade the tank.
What harm will a filter that is too much do?

[steve]

Mainly, you don't want it pose a trapping problem with it's suction. Many larger turtles had terrible accidents by knocking off the filter guard and getting stuck. A hatchling is less likely to knock it off but can still get stuck. They also like to squeeze behind things like nozzles, basking areas, heaters... in most tight places.

You'll have to keep a close eye on him and maybe even make a guard or prefilter.

[TobyRES]

I got the filter in the mail today...it's A LOT bigger than I was expecting. >.<
I guess I should've figured that from your reaction. I can regulate water flow a bit with the AquaStop Valve, but they say not to close that more than halfway.
Poor little thing, he's flailing about all over with the currents caused by the filter. I've given him some good solid spots to rest though, so I guess he should be alright. And at times it almost looks like he's having a blast with the currents.
I can definitely see the danger of him getting sucked up into it though. I'll keep a close eye out for that.

One more question, I'm thinking to just run the filter daytime since it's so powerful...give him exercise fighting the currents during the day, but a bit of a break at night.
Is it bad for the filter to turn it on and off like that?

[steve]

Standing water can breed a lot of nasty stuff, I would not recommend it.

[PridgNYC]

They will figure out the currents in their environment. Mine played in the currents for quite a while before he became an expert at navigating them. That is another reason for a sand bed and plenty of decorations, like driftwood and fake plants. They will rearrange these things to fit the currents and their preferred hang out spots. Make sure that there are no places that they can get stuck though. I watched mine pretty closely for the first few months to ensure he could move away from the intake by himself, and could lift the driftwood by himself, and that there are no avenues of escape because they are very good at that.

[TobyRES]

Yeah - I've been running the new filter for a few days now, and he seems to have gotten totally used to the currents.
On a related note, he's turned into a total pig!! He's begging for food every time I come near his tank.
I'm trying to be careful not to over feed him, but since he's been a lot more active with these heavy currents, I'm giving him a little more than usual. I've put a few live plants in the tank, and he's constantly chomping away at those too. He seems really happy and healthy though. ^__^

[Rubicon]

The 405 is a great filter! However for a 15gallon that may be pushing the max on over filtration lol