Habitat - Indoor :: Getting ready to set up a 100 gallon tank...please help

[Jociellen]

I am moving this week so I now get to set up my 100 gallon tank for my two turtles. I have been trying to research and find out what is the best filtar to use but at this point I am still confused. I have looked at the fluvl 404(?) I think it is...but do I need two of them? Also where is the best place to get them? Are they complicated to set up? Do they come with all the parts or do I have to buy everything separate? I am usually good at figure this out with the internet but man I just cant find my answer so I am hoping someone here that has experience with these can help me out. Thanks!

[bigG]

From what I read from this site, the filtration system (for an aquatic turtle) should circulate 2 - 3 times the gallon capacity of the tank. The 404 is good for a 100 gallon tank with a filter circulation of 225 gal/hour. You can retrieve data for 404 from the hagen (fluval) website:

http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/Fluval_MSF_Manual.pdf

You can check your local pet store or online. The instructions for most fluval products are thorough with many illustrations. Of course, there are other brands and DIY filters.

[BullDog]

The 404 would be struggling with 2 RES in a 100 gal. I had a 404 in a 75 gal with 1 adult, and although it worked well for a while, it did get dirty a lot quicker than with the FX5.

My personal recommendation is the Fluval FX5 (I've got 2 of them). They'd be great for a 100 gallon. You can find them for about $250 on eBay. Two 404s would work as well, but then you have two filters to clean...

In general, eBay is the cheapest place. Sometimes you can find deals online from various dealers, though usually nothing is cheaper than eBay.

They're pretty easy to set up. The FX5 even has an instructional DVD that comes with it They come with all the parts they need (hoses, input/output nozzles, clamps, etc.) but they usually don't come with any media besides the sponges. So you'll probably need to buy things like biomedia, carbon if you choose to use it, etc. But sometimes you'll get deals on eBay and the filter comes with some media (it's up to the seller though).

Hope I helped answer some of your Qs!

[bigG]

Ditto.