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I just purchased this filter, and it only comes with 2 foam pads in it. It doesn't seem to me that these foam pads will do much for the water. Do I need to purchase the optional polyester or Carbon filter pads? Any further info on filters would also be appreciated!!!

You can buy the filter pads, but the cheaper way to do this is to buy a big plastic container filled with charcoal & make your own charcoal filters with a little nylon bag that you can buy. The nylon bag is only $1.19 and I picked mine up at the local petco or petsmart store. Charcoal pads are fine & are less messy than making your own charcoal bags, they are just a little more expensive (over $2 each).

I reuse the white sponges that come with the filter, just replace the charcoal every 10 days (whenever you rinse out the white sponges). The sponges pick up large pieces of stuff floating in the tank (shedded skin, minced lettuce, etc.) but the charcoal helps filter out the chemical wastes like chlorine. I like to get the big plastic box of black charcoal that is mixed with white ammonia eater pellets since that will absorb turtle-pee and help keep your tank smelling clean.

I don't buy the charcoal pads because I have 2 turtle tanks: one has a fluval 2 the other has a fluval 4 so I am constantly changing out the charcoal, especially in the adult turtle's tank since she is very messy. So I figured it was just easier to just buy charcoal for both rather than buy different things for different tanks.

When I used a Fluval 2+, I did use the carbon pads in addition to the sponges that came with it. They can get expensive over time (I tried the microfilter pads and never thought they did much. You could probably wedge some filter floss in between the sponges and get the same effect.).

How big a tank do you have the 2+ in? I used the filter with only small hatchlings, and it still needed frequent cleaning...

Well...I'm gonna buy a 20 gallon to start...I'm purchasing equipment slowly, trying to learn more, and save money.

You probably could have saved some money in the long run by getting a different filter than the 2+. Your turtle is likely to outgrow it fairly quickly.

Oh really...thats not good news. What would be a more appropriate filter?

If you can stand the waterfall noise (or are willing to add some plexiglass to quiet it), for a 20-gallon, an Aquaclear would be better (I've used an Aquaclear 70 in a 20-gallon long).

I have a Fluval 4 plus, the biggest one in the plus series, and I use the carbon pads. I have also another filter, the Tetra Whisper filter for the 30-60 gallon tank (I have a 45 gallon tank) and with the Fluval 4 I put it in the water laying down..but be careful you may have to tie a rock to it cause it likes to float when the pads haven't been soaking in water.

I would have suggested the Fluval 4 Plus..and I'm getting my refills off of petsmart..they're cheaper compared to anyone around here.

Also I change it once a month. With both those filters running, once a month is about all it needs (about every three weeks) and I change the Whisper one weekly. When I do a change, I just toss out the pads and put new ones in. That's all there is to it!

A 4+ in a 20-gallon would take up too much room (and the current would be really strong). If it were me, I'd want to maximize the space in the tank (the AquaClear hangs on the side and water spills into the tank), especially since the tank's not that big. But with the AquaClear, you do either have to quiet the noise if you don't like it or put put with it (maybe you'll like the waterfall sound, though ).

marisa wrote:A 4+ in a 20-gallon would take up too much room (and the current would be really strong).

Agreed. The 4+ is great in my 90 gal tank, but for the 20gal, I have a fluval 2 which is doing a fine job & not taking up a lot of room.