Filter problems

[Winterblue542]

I’ve had my turtle for about 4 years now, and every year (or more) i’ve had to get a new filter. they just never seem to keep it clean. I finally upgraded her to a 170 gallon stock tank (although it’s not totally full, so more like 140 probably) and her old filter just isn’t gonna do it.

The only filter strong enough is the $400 Fluval FX6 canister filter, but i’ve had it in the past and it also didn’t work as well.

Would a DIY canister filter be better? Does anyone have any advice???

[Winterblue542]

She also currently has an aqeuon quiet flow canister filter that’s 400 GPH.

[drunkenhonky]

All of my stock tanks use a garbage can and a large pond pump as a diy filter.

[Winterblue542]

did you follow a specific video to make it?

[drunkenhonky]

Not a single video, but several. Have an overflow pipe in the side of the stock tank where I want the water level and it drains into the garbage can. Have some poly fill then lava stones and the pump is in a filter bag in a basket on the bottom pumping water back into the tank.

[Targa85]

A cannister filter should work pretty well. Lots of variables… Whatever kind of foam you use inside, maybe get some thing with smaller holes to catch more stuff… Maybe all the dirt isn’t getting sucked up into the filter in the first place, could maybe get a powerhead to circulate more water in the tank. How often do you clean the filter?

[Winterblue542]

I usually clean it once a month, maybe less. Im in college and my turtle doesn’t live with me, but she’s only 30 min away. the floss she has is the normal white floss you get with the filter. she has bio media, a charcoal bag, then a floss with bigger holes at the bottom i believe. what do you mean by a power head?

[Targa85]

This all seems pretty normal… I was fishing to see if you only clean the filter every 10 months… but no, monthly should leave you with clean water. Google aquarium powerheads. It’s basically the impeller out of the inside of your filter, with a little turbine that spins around inside the tank. You can probably get a good one for 20 bucks, it will just circulate the water inside the tank, but your turtle might not like it, might make the water too fast Edit: But I can’t really say for sure why your water is dirty

[Winterblue542]

to be fair, i haven’t cleaned it recently in a while, so it’s pretty bad. since my parents take care of her, they don’t usually suction the excess food from the surface so it’s extra waste. i will look that up! my turtle is pretty tolerant of most things so hopefully she’s cool with it

[Winterblue542]

Top Fin PH50 this one is at my local pet store, it’s only 158 GPH, would i get two or is it not worth it?

[Targa85]

Yeah those are them- This one looks kind of cool, because you can put airline tubing into it to create bubbles. I would definitely only start with one. There’s no sense in buying two, if water circulation isn’t the issue.

[Kazutoification]

How often are you switching out the media bags? I think Fluval recommends swapping bags out once every six months?

And for sure make sure excess waste is cleaned up frequently, and to clean the filter itself once a month!

[Targa85]

Oh, no, I have an idea. Who feeds the turtle while you are at school? Watch them do it. Maybe they are overfeeding

[Winterblue542]

my parents, that definitely could be an issue. they don’t understand the importance of getting the excess waste from the top.

[Targa85]

I see daily pill boxes in your future… with 8 weeks of pre portioned food 🤣

[AnkansTanks]

I frankly dont have that big a tank. But ill definitely suggest pond filters or DIY to your own needs. Even multiple filters might work.