Habitat - Indoor :: What to use in the new home?

[adam85491]

Last night you guys told me that turtles love lots of water and I have no reason to be afraid to fill a large rubbermaid container up with a filter,heater, and light source. I now plan to do this, but on a constricted budget. I don't really understand what an xp3 filter is and everything, but I do need some advice like would a large/powerful fish filter and heater work? I have the zoo-med small turtle dock that sticks to the side and turtle bones and food. Any advice would be appreciated!

[Muirner]

an XP3 is a external cannister filter. It sits outside your tank and allows you to free up swimming space. The thing with filtration and turtles is, you'll need to remember these guys arnt as clean as they may seem. They are actually pretty messy. Something 3x as big as what you need in this case.

As far as the heater goes, a visistealth heater, or i use the Rena Excel submersable heater. Either way you go, it's a great thing to invest in.

What do you mean "turtle bones?"

[adam85491]

its what they are called...someone told me its basically cuttlebone in a turtle box... I am not going to have a huge container for such small turtles and i will end up getting better things but right now i was hoping a basic clamp on lamp with a uvb light and a fish filter and heater would be enough...I know an inexpensive one that can heat a 20 gallon tank for fish

[cam722]

I'd go with an Aquaclear 110 for your tank instead of spending the money on an XP3 right now. Save your money for a larger and better tank for some point in the future.

What I suggest is this...

As large a rubbermaid container as you can afford or find.
An Aquaclear 110
A Stealth visi-therm heater rated for the size container you have.
2 clamp lamps.. one for uvb.. and one for uva.

That should keep you for a bit of time.. depending on the size of the turtles and the size of the container. All that should cost you maybe a bit over $50 IF you pricematch at a place like Petsmart.

[adam85491]

I'd go with an Aquaclear 110 for your tank instead of spending the money on an XP3 right now. Save your money for a larger and better tank for some point in the future.

What I suggest is this...

As large a rubbermaid container as you can afford or find.
An Aquaclear 110
A Stealth visi-therm heater rated for the size container you have.
2 clamp lamps.. one for uvb.. and one for uva.

That should keep you for a bit of time.. depending on the size of the turtles and the size of the container. All that should cost you maybe a bit over $50 IF you pricematch at a place like Petsmart.

Thanks a lot! What exactly is pricematching and I usually go to Petco because their fish live longer than the Petpals around here, I mean I can go there and all, but those are my only choices since there isnt many local pet stores.

[Kallistos]

Basically, you go on Petsmart.com and print out their and take it to the store. IF they have that particular item in stock, they'll sell it to you for the online price. Actually I see no harm in asking if PetCo will pricematch Petsmart.com.

[adam85491]

Basically, you go on Petsmart.com and print out their and take it to the store. IF they have that particular item in stock, they'll sell it to you for the online price. Actually I see no harm in asking if PetCo will pricematch Petsmart.com.

So it costs less online? I looked up that aquaclear thing, unless i messed up, it says 60 bucks...

[mkoby]

My Petco will pricematch the competitors but will NOT pricematch their own online prices! You must have the ad with you. Don't forget to print it! It never hurts to ask. If not, you just need to determine if the item is still cheaper with shipping costs rather than purchasing it at the store.

[Kallistos]

At petsmart.com the price is only $40 for the aquaclear 110.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... ar+110&N=2

If you're on an extremely tight budget you COULD get away with an Aquclear 70, but you'll have to clean the aquarium more often. Almost all the time online prices are substantially cheaper compared to in-store prices.

[adam85491]

At petsmart.com the price is only $40 for the aquaclear 110.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... ar+110&N=2

If you're on an extremely tight budget you COULD get away with an Aquclear 70, but you'll have to clean the aquarium more often. Almost all the time online prices are substantially cheaper compared to in-store prices.

I have no problem cleaning it a little more often, and i noticed the 110 was useful in 60-110 gallon tanks, a bit more water than i will be using. Thanks for your help.

[mkoby]

Turtles are messy. It is recommended to get a filter rated at least 2x your tank size. Three times your tank size is even better. Plus it's less upgrades for the future.

[cam722]

I have no problem cleaning it a little more often, and i noticed the 110 was useful in 60-110 gallon tanks, a bit more water than i will be using. Thanks for your help.

I think the point you are missing is that you should get a filter rated for 3 times what you'd use for a fish tank. Turtles are a lot messier than fish. So, even though the Aquaclear 110 is rated for 60-110 gallon FISH Tank, it can be used in a turtle tank. I used mine in a 75 gallon tank and I know that others have used it in anything from a 20 gallon and up. The higher rated the filter the better your water quality would be. Why spend the money on a crappy filter when you can use the best and do less work? You seem to be thinking on the same vein as a lot of new users, more water, bigger tank, more work, when actually the opposite is true. More water, bigger tank, less work. With a smaller tank and less water you have to do more frequent cleanings. Trust me on that one

[adam85491]

I have no problem cleaning it a little more often, and i noticed the 110 was useful in 60-110 gallon tanks, a bit more water than i will be using. Thanks for your help.

I think the point you are missing is that you should get a filter rated for 3 times what you'd use for a fish tank. Turtles are a lot messier than fish. So, even though the Aquaclear 110 is rated for 60-110 gallon FISH Tank, it can be used in a turtle tank. I used mine in a 75 gallon tank and I know that others have used it in anything from a 20 gallon and up. The higher rated the filter the better your water quality would be. Why spend the money on a crappy filter when you can use the best and do less work? You seem to be thinking on the same vein as a lot of new users, more water, bigger tank, more work, when actually the opposite is true. More water, bigger tank, less work. With a smaller tank and less water you have to do more frequent cleanings. Trust me on that one

ok ill trust you...i will atleast get the 70 but if i can afford the 110 i will definetly get it, thanks.

[mkoby]

I think the point you are missing is that you should get a filter rated for 3 times what you'd use for a fish tank. Turtles are a lot messier than fish. So, even though the Aquaclear 110 is rated for 60-110 gallon FISH Tank, it can be used in a turtle tank. I used mine in a 75 gallon tank and I know that others have used it in anything from a 20 gallon and up. The higher rated the filter the better your water quality would be. Why spend the money on a crappy filter when you can use the best and do less work? You seem to be thinking on the same vein as a lot of new users, more water, bigger tank, more work, when actually the opposite is true. More water, bigger tank, less work. With a smaller tank and less water you have to do more frequent cleanings. Trust me on that one

I agree 100%!!!!! I have a 10 gallon with a filter for a 20 gallon. I do partial water changes more than once a week and I usually feed her in a separate tank. I look forward to my upgrade!

[Pizza]

Turtle Bone is the product name for smaller pieces of cuttlebone without the hard backing on traditional bird cuttlebone, it's a great marketing strategy for people that don't like to peel off the backing themselves. I see them at my local PetSmart, two mid-sized bones in a box for 1-2 dollars more than a large piece of cuttlebone.