Equipment Review and Discussion :: Filter and water questions...

[blueace23]

Ok, first off, i've been reading everybody's replies to different people's questions for like 3 hours, but i have a few that relate to me...

I just bought a new Canister filter- a Fluval 305. I have a 55 gallon tank that has a ramp and sunbasking area built in, so i can't fill it up all the way.
According to the LxWxH / 231 i have approximately 20 gallons of water in the tank. The Fluval 305 is rated for 70 gallons, which fits into the 3 times rule. I know that when you install a new filter it takes a while for the biological media to build up. It has only been 3 days, going on 4 since i installed the new filter. I only have 1 RES. My water is whitish cloudy and my levels of Ammonia have peaked. I know that this is also a stage that happens as the filter gets established, but should I go to the pet store and get some Ammo-lock or some other product to stop the ammonia from harming my RES?

I'm worried about the ammonia level and I don't want my Squirt to die. Help please?

P.S. I will post some pics so that you can see the tank and ramp.... Also, my PH level is at a 7, my ammonia is at a 2, my nitrates and nitrites are both at a zero.

This is the tank now... with canister filter- water very cloudy and white...



here's squirt's ramp and him sunning himself...



and just so you can see how cute my little RES is... here's Squirt...

[papoopeepoo]

Turtles are much LESS susceptible to ammonia spikes than fish. Right now you're just having a bacteria bloom. It's not much to worry about in a turtle tank, but if your a little paranoid then you can do 20% water changes every couple of days until the bacteria catches up. Don't do more than 20% (4 gallons) at a time because doing so may cause an even more severe bacteria bloom.

I would recommend avoiding chemicals wherever possible. Aquarium chemicals are generally formulated for use in fish tanks rather than reptile tanks. Most problems with turtle tanks can be fixed with patience and good filtration.

Also, that screen on your tank is blocking out all the UVB from your UVB bulb. Find a way to hang the lamp freely over the basking spot, or buy a clamp lamp from a pet store or Home Depot type store. Additionally you may use what is called egg crate. It is light diffuser with 1/2" openings (which are big enough to let UVB rays through). Egg crate can be purchased in the same store you buy the clamp lamp.

Finally, it looks like you have about 4 more inches of clearance before the water reaches the basking platform. You can raise the water up to that level. This will help your filter a bit, and it will also supply a bit more swimming room for your turtle.

Good luck!

[mikee]

Blu-23 The fluval 305 is a 185 gph filter. When dealing with turtles you have to use the 5 times gph rule instead to the 2, 3, 4 time tank size rules that are out there. These are obscure measurements that are put out by the filter companies for fish. The measurable way to see what a filter pump does is the gallons per hour. (gph) I would suggest that you raise the water level as high as you can and do 50% water changes until your filter catches up. With most all new start ups you will have the “new tank syndrome”. The heterotrophic bacteria take off expelling too much ammonia. The nitrosomonas and nitrobacter is what you are trying to cultivate. By doing the 50% changes when it gets cloudy will reduce the heterotrophic bacteria (ammonia) and increase the nitrosomonas bacteria and nitrobacter bacteria. You may have to do several changes before you get a handle on clearing up water. Did you follow the instructions on putting in the media? Good Luck! m.

[blueace23]

thanks for the answers... you saved me a trip to the store, not to mention time, worry, and money, lol. I'll plan on putting in some more water and do some water changes, just small amounts at a time, in the next few days.... i'll just learn to be patient with this whole thing... oh, and to answer the other question someone asked... yes, i did follow the directions in putting the media and filter together... it was nice because it came with written instructions and a DVD that showed you how to put everything together... i hope that i'm going to love this new filter... now for the waiting...
Bytheway- I will probably go and try to find some of that eggcrate stuff, or i might just continue to use what i have, but cut out 2 sections, right around where the lamps are, so that there isn't anything between the light and his area. ( i know i will have to check the temp. and make sure it is right, and i will probably have to move them up just a little... i don't want to burn him...)

Thanks for the replies.

[papoopeepoo]

Look in the fluorescent lighting section of the store that you goto for egg crate.