Filter question!

[Nixxy]

Alright guys, building my new turtle setup. The tank is filled up about half way full, and I have a slight problem! My filter's hose that sucks up the water doesn't reach the water. Now I tried using what I have done in the past for these situations, and used a garden hose section and some waterproof tape, but it's still not sucking it up. I'm wondering if it's an issue of strength to pull the water up?

My options are the following:


Buy a larger filter (The filter atm is the appropriate size per gallons of tank.)
Fill up another couple gallons. (Would this be too much? It's got 14 gallons of water in it atm, in a 30 gal tank. She's a small stinkpot, 3 inches or so, and I don't want it to be too overwhelming, if that's possible? I read in the wild the live in 10 inches to 2 feet of water.)
Or find another method of extending it?

Any help would be great.

As I said it's a 30 gallon tank with a 30 Gallon filter. Water filled to roughly 15 gallons. Turtle is a female stinkpot, about 3 inches.

 

[iluvtorts]

Alright guys, building my new turtle setup. The tank is filled up about half way full, and I have a slight problem! My filter's hose that sucks up the water doesn't reach the water. Now I tried using what I have done in the past for these situations, and used a garden hose section and some waterproof tape, but it's still not sucking it up. I'm wondering if it's an issue of strength to pull the water up?

My options are the following:


Buy a larger filter (The filter atm is the appropriate size per gallons of tank.)
Fill up another couple gallons. (Would this be too much? It's got 14 gallons of water in it atm, in a 30 gal tank. She's a small stinkpot, 3 inches or so, and I don't want it to be too overwhelming, if that's possible? I read in the wild the live in 10 inches to 2 feet of water.)
Or find another method of extending it?

Any help would be great.

As I said it's a 30 gallon tank with a 30 Gallon filter. Water filled to roughly 15 gallons. Turtle is a female stinkpot, about 3 inches.

I would buy a different filter. I have kept aquatics for years. I use a magnum 350 on tanks over 20 gallons. You cant have too much filter for aquatic turtles as they can really foul the water. The largest tank that I have used one on is 6ft x 2ft with 10 to 12 inches of water. If you buy the filter now it will work as you get bigger tanks. We also used pvc to plumb it to the tank that I have with a custom top for turtles to come out of the water.

 

[Nixxy]

I currently don't have a canister filter..Is it really a must? =o

 

[jonathan512]

Unless u like changeling the water every week it's a must lol I change my water about every month

 

[Nixxy]

For my old RES I didn't have one and my water stayed pristine for about a month.

Would the next size up of filter have a longer hose?

 

[Itort]

I use a Zoomed reptifilter 125 gph in 4 to 6 inch water for two or three spotted turtles (about same size as your stinkpot) per tank. These use the large bio bags which I fill with ammo carb and change weekly. Also use air stones to stir up sediment . This system has worked well for three seasons.

 

[Nixxy]

Thanks for the tips guys. Itort, is that a canister?

I'm going to order one online. The pricing on sites seems a lot better than local stores for the same items. (Around 15$ difference average..Local stores charge an arm and a leg for anything.)

 

[LindaF]

You might find on line or in an aquarium store an extension tube/part

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

If you are trying to use the standard hang-on-the-back (HOB) filter for a turtle, those are practically useless for aquatic turtles. If you are absolutely diametrically opposed to using anything, I suggest getting the largest model you can find (that will fit the tank).

Canister filters are the best. They can be a little expensive initially, but well worth the investment.

The submersible, internal filters are okay, but only marginally. They are at least better than HOB filters.

 

[Nixxy]

I found that out, but luckily I can return it. I found out that due to the hanging in the back, the water is not high enough to be any use for a HOB. It's just out of the question unless I have the tank filled as if it was for a fish, and that's just not turtle friendly. (No basking area, etc.)

Would an in tank filter that has suction cups to stick to the side work? I've seen quite a few that are of appropriate size, strictly made for reptiles.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

Would an in tank filter that has suction cups to stick to the side work? I've seen quite a few that are of appropriate size, strictly made for reptiles.

Like I said, they're okay....but when I had two juvenile sliders once, I had THREE of those type of filters in a 30-gal tank...and I was still cleaning it out every 7-10 days.

 

[Nixxy]

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=404 Would something like this work? And be better as opposed to an underwater or hanging filter?

 

[JediAaron]

Hey everyone. Wanted to chime in, even though its been a month or two since the last update. I have a 110 gallon tank, which is generally very full and I run a Fluval 404 I believe it (newer model is a 406, http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24082). Lots of filtration I've had it for ... at least 10 years, the only thing I've replaced (other than media of course) is an occasional impeller. Well worth the cash.

 

[AustinASU]

Fluval 106 would be a great choice...one partsbare easily available and it has a one year warranty.