Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I'm a newbie to taking care of RES, so I appreciate any help.
I. What's the best filter out there that;
1. Perhaps is submergable since i have a rubbermaid and no water outlet?
2. Easy to clean filters - I don't want to be buying replacement anything
3. Flexible
Currently: a 30 gallon tub w/ 4 inches of water for two babies that i don't want to get harmed by dangers currents from the filter (or can i get a screen or something to prevent that?)
Later: Thinking of getting them a bigger tub later so I want a filter that can handle a 60 or 80 gallon container w/ 6 inches of water maybe?

II. I have a basking platform w/ these specs
Size: Outside: 15 1/2" x 5" x 4 1/4" high.
Inside: 10 1/4" at the bottom, 6" at the top x 3 1/2" high.
The original thought was that they'd climb the stairs and can swim under it.
However, the steps turns out to be a bit large and unnatural so they don't sleep or rest on it and 4 inches of water looks so shallow (want to increase it to 6). Know anything that turtles can swim through underneath, multileveled (easier to climb on), and stands about 6 inches tall?

PS. I'm thinking w/ the filter I'll just add Turtle clean and a few drops of reptisafe for new water. Anything else I'm missing? I'd appreciate any wisedom/advice.

Canister filters are the best, they sit next to your tank/container and just have an input and output tube that go into the water. I have the Fluval 404, other people use different brands. They have adjustable flows so you can set the current.

You can raise the water level as high as you want, turtles are good swimmers. ZooMed makes a great floating dock, it adjusts to your water level automatically.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

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sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]