what is the best filter for turtles

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
A good rule of thumb to follow is to have one that will filter AT LEAST double the volume of water that you keep your turtle in. I'd recommend a sump or canister filter depending on the amount of water you're dealing with.
 
Canister filters work well and also just to help out you can get a UV sterilizer from petsmart which will definitely help with keeping the water clearer. I have young yellow belly slider in a 30 gallon tank (temporarily) and I have a canister filter, an internal filter, and a UV sterilizer which are all rated for more than there is water in the tank and I still find myself cleaning everything out at least once every 10 days or so.
 
I have two red eared sliders in a 40g breeder with about 30g of water in it. I just recently got a Rena XP3 filter for it about 2 weeks ago, and the water is crystal clear. I did a 25% water change last week, but that was just out of force of habit from the fish tanks, the water was still clear. I do feed them in a separate container so that reduces the waste in the tank considerably and helps a lot with the filtration. If you decide to go with canister, I personally have 2x 20 ppi and 2x 30 ppi sponges in the bottom tray, purigen and the bio stars the filter came with in the second canister and the third one is full of Matrix bio media.
 
I say canister or sump. I would prob go with a canister over a sump for turtles only because my turtles I have always seem to want to sit on my DIY overflows. As far as what canister to get will depend on tank size, turtles and how much you want to spend. I say turtles cause mud and musk are not the best swimmers so I find have a little less flow for them is better. But a red ear or terrapin like the high flow and can swim a lot better as well.
 
If it is more than 75 gallons, I would go with a wet-dry and a canister. 55 or less you will be fine with one or the other.
 
i have a 55 and running on a penguin 350. im going to get a uv sterilizer and use my 10 gallon for feeding time. thanks guys...much appreciated
 
I used a Rena XP3 on my 45g long with one male midland painted. With turtles, bigger is always better. I usually recommend bottom-feeders as well to help control the debris.

Josh H
 
OK guys, I'm new at this, and brand new to this site (I LOVE it).

I want to build a tank for my snapper. 8 feet long, 3 feet deep, and 2.5 inches wide. I will figure that stuff out later, but the problem with a snapper is that they chew all the plumbing for filters in tanks (including water heaters). I have housed the water heater in perforated PVC pipe in the past, but then they use it for a ladder!

so I have a BUNCH of questions:
1. any tank designs out there for snapping turtles? ( I have two kinds)
2. how to prevent their claws from scratching the bottom and sides of homemade tanks.
3. info on filtration systems. (they sure leave a lot of poop around. one guy ate 19 mice one week. but has been cut WAY back now)
4. if anyone has expertise in this area, I would be happy to spare the site my ignorance of things everyone else already seems to completely understand.

thanks, Tim

PS I have read about settling tanks for draining turtle tanks. (Ive seen it used in gator tanks) any info?
 
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