Habitat - Indoor :: would you recommend this filter? *Zoo Med 501 Turtle Filter*

[pumpkinsherbet]

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.ph ... cts_id=404

plenty of places to get it, but i can't seem to find an overall product review.

[edit to subject - steve]

[missibsu]

There are some people who swear by this filter, but I don't have any personal experience to vouch for that. I remember a discussion awhile back about having problems finding the replacement filters, or filter part. I don't know if that was resolved or not.

The product does say that it is only good up to 30 gallons, so eventually it will need replaced by something with more power.

[steve]

Is there any documentation about the GPH? I'd like to see how it compares to others.

[pumpkinsherbet]

no, not even the manufacturer site has info on the gph. just your typical sales points and capacity.

i'm going with the whisper in-tank filter for now, but i'm saving up to upgrade to that one.

[steve]

How big is your tank now?

[pumpkinsherbet]

currently using a 60qt rubbermaid storage bin. by the time i have the money for that filter, i'll be using it with at least a 50 gallon.

*edit* i also just posted some pix of the new setup in the photo gallery.

[steve]

They only rate that filter for "30 gallons", so I would get an XP3 or an Aquaclear 110 for a 50 gallon tank.

The 110 is about $45.

[pumpkinsherbet]

that's a good price.

30 gal. of course, i knew that. i don't know why i let it slip out of my head.

[turtle2000]

I have that filter... it has a 79gph... I had it in a ten gallon tank and it worked great I couldn't be happier with it... but I just bought a 20 gal and now am using it in there.... I think it will do fine with a 20gal half filled but the jury is still out... if I find it doesn't work that great I will be buying a xp3 based on what everyone here has said...

[steve]

Really? The 110 I mentioned is 428 gph...

Thanks for the info, it's good for people to know.

[pumpkinsherbet]

well this is good information to have i may still try it out, at least until the water level goes up high enough that it won't work any more. is 79gph a good ratio? the filter i have now is 96gph.

also, i clean out the turtle dung everyday so i do my part in helping out the filter.

[turtledudee]

i use the 501 for my stinkers, and it works, its not really hard to find media. but i dont know how it would perform with RES b/c stinkers are different.

[ellman605]

I vote no, the 501 isn't very powerful i heard, and you'll have to replace it soon enough. Lets run this down...

Rena Filstar XP3 - $99.99
Zoo-Med 501 Turtle Filter - $28.95

$99.99
-$28.95
_________
$71.04

So for a $71 difference, you can get a filter that will last you for the rest of the tanks you use. (this EXCLUDES sales you might find).

Hope i helped

[kidzncatz]

Woo hoo! I question I can finally ANSWER! (it seems I'm always asking them

I started off with this filter in my 30 gallon tank and I hated it. The rubber tubing always got filled with gunk and it was extremely hard to clean. I finally figured out that a pencil fit well inside of it and that would clean it out ok. Now, if you're not planning on doing ANY feeding in the tank perhaps it would be different story but it was a real PITA as far as Tubby and I were concerned.

Also, even though it says it's rated for 30 gallons, does that mean 30 gallons FOR TURTLES? From what I've learned (mostly here) is that the filter needs to be rated for *at least* twice the size of your tank (three times is preferable, right?)

Anywho, if you had a small tank & fed in a separate tank/container you might be ok with it but overall, we weren't impressed. Good luck!

[pumpkinsherbet]

oh wow. okay i'll stay away from that one. heh. no they're fed in their home tank. i let them run around a little every day while i clean it. ah i just loved that little shower it had with it and thought my turts would too, but that's not what's important

thanx for all the advice.