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I'm looking to make a homemade filter for my 55 gallon tank as my H.O.T filter just isn't big enough. I'm thinking of putting a shelf above my tank and putting a 5 gallon bucket on it. I would run hose to the top of the bucket and but a hole in the bottom. There would be porch screen over the bottom hole so carbon doesnt get out. The media would go : Mechanical, Biological, Chemical.. I would use a 800-1000 gph pump. My only concern is that hatchlings would get stuck to the pump and drown. What would help prevent that? Thanks

For the inlet, consider something like a spay bar. It'll have lots of tiny holes that would prevent from the turtles getting stuck. There are also pre-filters which are foam pads that go on the outside of the intake.

What type of pump would i use that i could attach a spray bar? Where would i get it?

It should be PVC. How it's connected depends on the hardware and fittings you are going to use.

Could you post a link please?

Don't have a link, but it could look like this:

What type of pump should I use? If you have a link, that would be useful, but if not its ok. Thanks

I really don''t know... it depends on what you're looking for.

I am looking for powerful filtration as i have a LOT of turtles, but id like something submersible

As far as I know, no one here (and other turtle keepers) uses that type of setup. Internal filters are just too limited compared to other types, not to mention the amount of space they take up in the tank. It also gets pretty nasty when you lose power and all that waste is released back.

I mean a submersible pond pump that i could attach the spray bar to. The filter will definitely be external.

Sounds doable, basically a pond filter used indoors. A 800-1000 gph pump sounds a little too powerful to me for a 55g tank I think something in the 500-600gph range would be plenty. Depending on your budget you can use a pond pump from the garden/hardware store or one designed for aquariums. Just make sure it has enough head pressure to accommodate the height the water needs to rise.

This pump is only circulating water inside the tank?

The pump is going to be used for a filter above the tank. The spray bar is going to be attached to the intake on the pump.