Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted a qeustion about filters on the painted turtle forum and have not gotten any replies. Since it has been a long time since I posted it and I really need an answer I figured I would ask here since RES and Painteds are so much alike.

Post from Painted turtle forum:

I have been compairing the Fluval 404 and the RENA FilStar XP3 and can't decide what one to get. My old filter broke and poor Binx needs something. I have been cleaning the tank way too often because of the lack of filter. Anyway I have read the pros and cons of both filters and still can't decide. I have found both online for decent prices (have to stay below or around $100). I was hoping for some input.
What kind of filter do you use (Iturnrocks, I know you built your own and it's kickin' but I can't do that lol)?
What have you found that you love about your filter?
What have you found that you hate about your filter?
Thanks in advance.

I was also doing some research about those products, and my solution was to go for the XP3. Unfortunatley I never got it because now I'm doing research on a new tank or possible pond I could make heh

But yea from what I've read about the XP3, it just sounds like a more solid product then the alternative. I rarely ever see negative things about it, and I from what I've seen it sells for cheaper. In this case cheaper just might be better.. but I do believe that both products are good and you can't really go wrong with either one

I have a Fluval 404 Plus that I use in one of those huge Rubbermaid containers where I keep my aquatic turtles. It's pretty powerful as I havn'et had to do any big water changes in a month. I never really have problems with Fluvals...they last long if you maintain them correctly.

Oh ya and it cost me $49.99 at PetSmart. I figured it'd be good in the long run.

Johnny

$49.99? How many Gallons? I have a 90 gal tank. It's not all the way filled but maybe some day, so I want it to be good enough for a 90 gal. Plus I heard you should double it for turtles. Like if you have a 90 gal tank you should have a filter that is for a 180 gal tank. Is that true?

I don't think double is enough. Get the biggest filter you can afford, you can't get one too big. Turtles are filthy little creatures. Go to Austin's Turtle Page and check out the filter comparisons. They have recommendations for filters including what size you need for turtles vs. fish in various size tanks.

The $49.99 one says it's made for up to 57 U.S. gallons if I remember correctly. Sometimes I can't afford bigger ones so I use small ones and it gets clogged up easily, but you just gotta clean it more often. I do 2/3 water changes every week anyway...and then the entire thing a while later.

Johnny

Wow..i just realized i'm an idiot...i meant to say the Fluval 4 Plus, not the Fluval 404. The Fluval 404 is a BEAST...while my Fluval 4 is kinda sissy compared to it..hahaha.

Sorry.

Johnny

I've been using the XP3 for several months in a 50-gallon Rubbermaid and really like it. You want to go bigger/more powerful than a filter rated for 2X the size of your tank. At least 3X would be better. The info on filters that someone mentioned before at ATP is really worth a look.