Habitat - Indoor :: Fluval 4 + in a 10 gallon?

[ApresMoi]

Hey there, I was recently given a hatchling RES (very recently. As in last night) that came in a typical Chinatown set up with typical Chinatown directions on care. I've spent the last couple hours reading up on them and I have almost everything I need, I just need to set it up.

The only thing I'm worried about is the filter I bought this morning. It's a Fluval 4 + (it was half off, I couldn't resist) for 57 gallons, I believe. I know I'm suppose to go 2 to 3 times the filter power, but I'm wondering if the filter's current will be too much on the little guy in such a small area.

I know I'll need to upgrade to a 20 gallon in less than a year anyways, but I'm holding off for a couple reasons, mainly school bills that will keep me under for the few months and also because from what I've read, these little guys have a high mortality rate... Or at least I think I read that.

Oh, and while I'm on here - can anyone recommend a good heater for a 10 gallon, preferably one that can easily transfer over to a 20L? That and the UVB bulb are the only thing I need to get.

[N4784N R4613]

Whoa!! Won't that filter take up half the tank!?!

I would recommend the 75 watt Visi-Therm Stealth Heater. it can go up to 25 gallons, and will work fine in a 10 gallon.

And you are gonna need two lights, a UVB, compact fluorescents work the best on small set-ups. And a heat bulb, you can use a normal house-hold bulb for heat, just make sure the basking spot is ten degrees warmer then the water, or he won't bask!! And make sure it is not over 95F, or it will be to hot to bask!

It sounds like you doing a great job of taking care off your littel one!!

Keep up the good work!!!

[shelach]

i just bought that same filter. it will be a monster in that little tank... but will do the job for sure.
I would make sure to place it where the little guy cant get cought between the filter and anything . And maybe put something to brake the strong curren streeming out of the filter, like a rock or island.

[steve]

That's too much for a hatchling in a 20 gallon.

[ApresMoi]

Even in a 20? But with that 2/3 times rule, wouldn't I need a filter for at least a 40 gallon anyways? I thought for sure the Fluval 4+ would be perfect for a 20L. Or does the rule not apply because a hatchling doesn't produce that much waste in comparison to a bigger RES?

Thanks for the suggestions. I read some thread on here that suggested suctioning this filter in an upright position, (which would also help with the space and aesthetics issue, I think) I think I'll pick up a large decoration to place in front of it and hopefully that'll help.

I'll look for that heater at pet stores later tonight.

I've also noticed that there's a lever on this thing with a + on one end and a - on the other, I'm guessing that's to higher or lower the current created, so hopefully that'll help too.

Thanks everyone!

[marisa]

That filter will take up too much room in the tank and the current will be too strong for a hatchling. When I used a Fluval 4+, moving the lever from + to - really didn't make that much difference in the output.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Fluvals also arent that good of a filter. Even if your water stays clear and odorless doesnt mean that your water is 'clean' unless you test your water every couple of days.

I used a Fluval 4 (cant remember which) in a 20 gallon rubbermaid for a little while because I had to seperate my male RES from my female RES and while my water was clear and free from odor, when I tested my water I pretty much had some nasty water ( i got some high ammonia results and keep in mind my turtle was only 3 inches, i didnt feed in the tank, or had any substrate ) Why are these filters not too good? Because unlike other filters they arent able to hold too much bio media and all they do is basicly push water.

So even though it's rated for a tank that large doesnt realy mean it is a wise choice. The filter, like everyone mentioned already, is pretty large and it will take up too much room in the tank. It's a shame because these filters realy look nice and I thought that it would do a good job in a 20 gallon, but all I got out of it was 40$ down the drain and my back hurting from so much water changes in hopes of bringing the ammonia down.

Your better off with a hang on the side type powerfilter rated for something atleast 50 gallons (I used a whisper 60 in a 20 gallon and the current wasnt strong and my water stayed very clean) or a small canister filter can be another, even better option too.

[kaimarion]

Question is when you move up to a 50 gallon tank how much water will you put in it? If you put in 25 gallons of water you would need a filter that does 50 gallons.

[marisa]

In most cases, I would go more by the tank size than how much water is in it. For that 50-gallon tank, I'd get a filter rated for 2 - 3X that size and add more water than 25 gallons.