Habitat - Indoor :: Can a filter be "too powerful" for an turtle aquar

[clock906]

I have a small (1.5"?) turtles in a 10 Gallon Tank now. Water is filled to about 5-6".

I need to get a new filter, and I am planning to get the XP3 (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals RENA XP3 Canister Filter) since I have heard a lot of good things about it.

I know this filter is probably much much more than what I need (17 times the capacity), but I figure I will need a bigger than in the future anyway, and I don't want to get a small filter now and spend another to get a bigger filter later. Plus, price difference between a XP1 and XP3 is only $40.

Now, my question is, is there gonna be any problem with using an XP3 on a 10G aquarium? Will this create too much water flow in the tank? Or is it more like - when it comes to filter, bigger = better?

Also...with such big filter, can I get away with water change once every month? (I am doing partial water change 1-2 times a week now)

[octpusgirl8]

Generally bigger is better, and it's good to be thinking ahead when making big purchases like a filter, but i think an XP3 might be a bit overwhelming in such a small tank. When are you planning a tank upgrade? A 10 gal isn't inhumanely small, but he would be happier in a bigger tank soon i'm sure. You could try getting it and using the spray bar ouput facing the tank wall, that would deflect a lot of the current, but it still might be too much, i'm really not sure. If you get it and it's too powerful you could consider keeping your turtle in a big rubbermaid storage container untill you can afford a bigger tank. It's not very fancy looking, but your turtle won't know the difference. On the water change issue, you will definitely need less frequent water changes. I don't know if once a month would cut it but you sure wouldn't need to be doing it a couple times a week. I have a 75 gal tank with an XP3 and i only do a partial water change every couple weeks when i'm busy with school. You can get a test kit to check the levels of things like ammonia to try and get an idea of water quality.
I know that was a long and rambling answer, but hopefully it helped a little

[steve]

I second what octpusgirl has to say. XP3 and say a 50 gallon rubbermaid would be a very good upgrade.

I'd skip the test kit but get a Python for easier water changes.

[Bumby's Mom]

Honestly with my own experience I would say it is too much. Only for the simple reason that I have my hatchlings in a 10 gallon as well and they get blown around by their filter which is for 15 gallons. You could always get the filter and see how it goes but it might be good to get a smaller one too just in case.

[clock906]

Until my basement is finished (maybe in 6-7 months?)...i dont' have anywhere to put anything bigger than 20gallon.

Does the XP3 has any switch/regulator that regulates the water flow and pressure?? Or is it just full on or full off?
(like..
My aquaclear hang on power filter has a tiny switch thing where u can slow down the water flow)

[octpusgirl8]

It does have something like that on the output, but i think it's bad for the motor. on such an expensive filter i woulddn't want to do anything that would possibly shorten it's life.

[Bumby's Mom]

I also read that small turtles will get sucked to the water intake and can drown.

[stealthpilot]

You can pick up a Whisper hang on filter for about $10-$15 at Wal-Mart, Whenever you get a 20gal or more tank, go ahead with the XP3 so you don't have to buy another filter.

The XP3 does have a sort of control valve, but it just controls the flow out, not the impeller speed. I would second the notion that it would be bad for the motor.