Equipment Review and Discussion :: Couple quick questions about the XP3...

[Erroneous]

I have a 55 gallon tank and will be getting my XP3 soon. If I use the sprayer attachment (or the power jet?) would I also need to purchase an air pump for fish I plan on putting in the tank?

Also, how close has anyone placed the unit to the water level? I am using a coffee table right now and would probably have to build a stand if I wanted to get the water level a minimum of 24''. The coffee table is probably between 12-16'' if my memory serves me correctly.

[scripta_elegans]

The fish will probably be eaten by the turtle before they need an air pump. The air pump is still a good idea though, as it helps the beneficial bacteria in the biomedia of your filter, and the turtles seem to find the entertaining too! Mine love the bubble wand! I have heard of turtles being afraid of it too, but I don't think it's a common reaction.The XP3 will probably function @ that level, but not as efficiently as at the 24 inch level. I believe I have seen people use them on the floor beside their tank. I am unsure how well it works, but I believe you can do it.

[Erroneous]

Thanks for the info. Currently I only have 1 baby yellow belly slider about 1.5'' long and will be getting probably a RES in a couple months, so the fish will last a while especially since he hardly goes in the water anyway.

And since I am only using a 55 gallon tank and he is a baby, maybe it is best to run at a lower efficiency anyway? I know it is 350 GPH at optimal efficiency, so that is circulating to water about every 6 minutes since I only have it filled up to about 32 gallons. Is that going to be way too fast for the little guy? I'll put his dock near the intake, but I don't want him to be scared to go in the water especially since he almost never gets in it now.

[scripta_elegans]

He never goes in the water? That's kind of odd for a slider. What are the temps of the water and basking area, if you don't mind me asking? I apologize for this bit of unsolicited advice, but turtles can have nasty territorial disputes, and if I could do it over again, I would have only adopted one. They are very happy alone and it reduces the risk of them hurting each other. If you do get a another turt, make sure they are almost identical in size. Bigger turtles sometimes hurt smaller turtles in the same enclosure. I am looking at possibly needing 240 gallons of tank between my two turtles eventually, and probably seperate tanks.

[Erroneous]

the water temp (according to the stick on thermometer) is between 80-82. I don't have a digital thermometer for the basking rocks, but when I put my hand under the light about where the turtle usually is, it feels about like a warm Florida summer day. I'll be getting a digital thermometer after my next paycheck. I'll also get a turtle from the same place so that it will be about the same size. It was a pretty neat reptile store, although selling ones that young is illegal in the states.

[scripta_elegans]

When you do get the air temp thermometer, make sure the basking area is around 90 degrees. my best guess as to why the little guy/girl won't get into the water was that it was too cold, but that's not the case. 78-80 is the best temp for hatchlings.I should also mention that I think most experienced keepers suggest a 90 day quarantine to ensure that the turtles don't make each other ill. Is your little turtle eating? I ask because they have to be in the water to swallow food, so is it getting in the water then?

[Erroneous]

We feed him/her in a separate bowl to cut down on waste. He'll eat about 4-7 pellets a day. We had a problem earlier with another RES getting swollen eyes. We gave him back to the place we got him. This one got the same symtoms, but we bleached the tank and nursed him back. He seems to be fine now though.