So I spent the $125 and got a Fluval for my turtle tank (one turtle). After some cursing, I managed to figure out the set up, and it's working fine. I used the media that came with the set up: "bio-max" and some powdery stuff which I'm guessing is carbon. How often do I need to change these things? Am I using the right media? Should I be testing the water (I'm clueless about this one - where do I get "tests"
. I'm really trying to learn and do the best I can for my turtle. Any help would be appreciated.
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Figuring out filtration
honeybee
Oct 15, 2003 03:48 PM
Replies (4)
NebraskaTurtles
Oct 15, 2003 05:38 PM
I change my carbon and disposable filters every two weeks, so thats what id suggest, I dont know a whole lot about fluvals though.
NebraskaTurtles
Oct 15, 2003 05:40 PM
Oh yeah almost forgot, it never hurts to test your water, you can take water samples into petsmart for free and they will check it for you, or you can buy the kit. careful though what the people there tell you, a lot of them are clueless idiots, i know i used to work there =)
Engloid
Oct 15, 2003 08:06 PM
I agree with the earlier post. I will add that often people only change carbon only one time a month.
And if you have any sort of ceramic media or gravel-looking stuff, NEVER rinse it in tap water. You need to rinse with dechlorinated water only or you will kill all the beneficial bacterias that will colonize in and on it.
Yertle
Oct 16, 2003 11:29 PM
I have had a Fluval 404 for several months now and so far have been very happy with it. My tank maintnance has dropped dramatically since getting it. I have been changing the media (carbon and fine partical filtration fiber) once a month. I have a messy 6" RES and that has so far been often enough to keep the water very clear and with no ammonia.
Definitely save yourself some money and buy the generic brand bulk refills of carbon and filter fiber...they have been working fine for me, and the actual Fluval brand stuff is way over priced. You can also play with how you stack the items into the canister. I have been placing large partical ceramic in the bottom basket, and have been filling/stacking on in this order: then carbon, then biomax, then fine partical. Still playing around with them though for an order that works better.
