Habitat - Indoor :: Questions about new setup...

[orca_gurl12]

I just got a new 75 gallon this weekend! Which is a HUGE upgrade from my 10 gallon. I was wondering if I need to slowly raise the water level so my turt gets used to it over time since it is SO much bigger or if I can just put him in with the water filled almost all the way.
I was also wondering, do I have to get a new water heater before my turt gets to move into the new tank? I live in Northern California and it is really starting to warm up here! I was wondering if the water would stay warm enough without a larger heater. I currently have a Marineland Visi-Therm Stealth heater that is rated for a 15 gallon tank and I didn't know if that would maybe help maintain the temp if there was a slight flux or if it would burn it up trying to heat THAT MUCH water. Anyone have any ideas?

[octpusgirl8]

As far as the water level goes, you should be fine to fill it up all the way, just make sure they have some "resting spots" near the surface, especially if they're small. You could see if the little heater will maintain the water temp, but i think you'd be better off just going out and getting properly sized one if you can. If they're little (i'm guessing they are) maintaining a stable water temperature is really important to keeping them healthy.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Wow, Congrats on your new tank!!! That's just awesome.

You can fill that tank up from day one. Turts are natural swimmers.

I would get a heater that is rated for the 75 gal tank. N. Cali can sometimes have some cool evenings & you want to keep the water temperature the same all the time.

[orca_gurl12]

Thanks for the advice. Well, it looks like I'll have to wait 'till I get a little more money to set up the tank so I can upgrade my heater. Oh well, as long as my turtle is safe


octpusgirl8 he (I think it's a he??) is 3 inches, that's not really small is it? I don't think he is a year old yet. I rescued him from some friends who got him and a few others from Mexico. They weren't taking good care of them. Unfortunately 2 died and only him and one other made it I think the other two got RI from some of the symptoms they had. I set one of my friends up with the proper equipment for the other survivor and she says he is doing well.

I will post pics of my new setup as soon as I get the rest of the equipment and I'll also write my turts story for all of you too!

[marisa]

Your turtle is lucky s/he has you for a keeper. Size-wise, if he's the age you think he is, that sounds fine.

[megcornell]

It's nice to have a few plants at the surface for turtles of any size to rest on. My turtle is four inches and I still catch her floating with a plant every once in a while, it's a nice safeguard in case they do get tired or just want to relax a bit.
Congrats on the big tank, I can't wait for the pics

[octpusgirl8]

Aww that's so sad about his "siblings", he's lucky you found him, it sounds like you are setting him up for a healthy and happy life!

[steve]

Good heaters are relatively inexpensive ($15-20), a good filter will cost much more

[orca_gurl12]

Yeah steve that is so true! Pay day is this Friday so I think I am going to buy the new heater on Wednesday. I just bought a Fluval 4plus a week or two ago (which is rated for a 57 gallon tank) when I thought I was only going to up grade to a 20 gallon so I am going to see if Petsmart will let me return it and get a larger filter. What filter do you recomend for a tank that large? Am I going to have to upgrade to a canister? (PLEASE say no! ) And everyone here recommends the Marineland Visi-Therm heaters right???

[SpotsMama]

Brace yourself. Sit down and take a deep breath. Count to ten and......

Consider a canister. Something like an XP3 will make your life so much easier. You'll be glad you did it down the road. If you can go ahead and spring for a good filter then you won't have to worry about upgrades later.

The visitherm stealth is the heater everyone loves. There are some other really good ones out there too, but you can't go wrong with a stealth.

[steve]

For heaters, my order of preference would be the Stealth, Ebo Jager, and Tronic. The Stealth is made of black thermal plastic, not to be confused with the glass variety of Marineland Visi-Therm heaters.

The XP3 is VERY popular here and is a good value for the price (online). Not only would it cycle more water, but has room for bio media which will help your quality. The store might not take the filter back if its been used... but it doesn't hurt to ask or try.

[orca_gurl12]

Sorry I have so many questions! I hear most everyone on here singing the praises of the XP3 but what about the Fluval and Eheim canister filters? Has anyone tried them? The guy at petsmart told me that there was no comparison to an Eheim. I know they are more expensive but the prices don't look too bad on Ebay. Is it ok to get a filter off Ebay as long as it is new in the box?

[DavidY]

The Eheims have a very good reputation for quality and reliability, but they are very expensive and replacement parts are expensive too. If you buy off ebay just make sure the seller has a good reputation. There are a lot of good deals on there.

[steve]

Eheims can be very expensive, but as noted, are highly reputable. The older Fluval models are more difficult to use compared to the XP3 -- I had endless leaking issues. I haven't used the new Fluvals, but they cost a bit more.

[orca_gurl12]

hhmmmm.....Thanks, great advice from all of you! I think I'll ask around a bit more but it seems I will be going with the XP3. I just have to save up a bit more for a filter upgrade and finish building the tank stand and it will be pictures gallore for you guys! Thank you so much, you have all been VERY helpful!

*I also found out today that my turt is a boy, not a girl which is what I thought! oops! Time to think of a new name!*