Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My red eared slider was given to me as a gift by my girl friend in december. That evil woman! lol.

Since it was just sprung on me I mad due with what I could. I put it in a 10 gallon tank and odered 60 dolars worth of stuff for it. Light hood repti sun, Dome reflecter, and such.

My birth day is soon to be upon me. I'm planing to get something for my turtle as a gift from my dad. But.. should it be a bigger tank or a better filter?

I had planned to get a 20 gal long. But now I don't know. I am using a tetra internal filter. IT IS UBER WEAK. 90gph. If I upgrade the filter I'd be doing alot less wsork once a weak.

Right now I have to do a complete water change and gravel wash weakly. Which there is no gravel. Only a few big water rocks. But it still takes 2 - 3 hours.

My turtle's carpace length is 5 inchs. A 20 gal long will do untill he grows, right? Should I get a exspenive canister filter or a 40 dolar 500gph external filter?

And which of the two (tank or filter) is more important?

I'd have to say the tank is more important. Your always gonna have to do rigorous cleaning anyway. Try getting a Whisper in tank filter. They're $20 for a 20 gal tank. They go inside and sit low to the bottom of the tank so they get smaller debris. They work pretty good. You have to buy new cartridges about twice a month though.

a 20gallon long tank is not big enough for a 5inch turtle. The rule of thumb for turtles is 10gallons of water for every inch of shell. If your turtle is 5inches he needs a 50gallon tank, minimum. If he is in a small tank then there is no filter that will be able to keep it really clean, the bioload will be too high. If you get a bigger tank and an appropriate sized filter your cleaning should be cut down to a minimum and your turtle will thank you
-----
0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

Where would you suggest I buy the tank at?

At pet stores I only see package deals. Tank stand useless junk. I'd only want the tank.

Thank you both for your help.

At most petstores you should be able to tell them you just want the tank. A lot of pet stores put those "kits" together themselves and can just as easily sell you only the tank. Not that i like "big chain" pet stores, but if your local "mom and pop" store only sells kits then im sure you could get just the tank from a large chain store. Make sure you buy a "breeder" tank, which are wider and will provide space for your full grown (8-13inches, depending on sex) turtle to move around in. Keep in mind your turtle is not done growing and, money-wise, it is probably better for you to go ahead and get something in the 75-100gallon range so you dont have to upgrade again.

Good luck!
-----
0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

Check your local papers too. Lots of people are selling tanks with filters etc. It still works out to a good deal and some of the stuff you might be able to use. It will be cheaper than the package deals at the petshop.

Or if money's a problem you can get a big plastic storage container, or a plastic kiddie swimming pool! Lots of space little money. For $10-15 you can get a big pool. (I don't think they'd appreciate the slide one Then you can concentrate on a nice big filter for it.

I bought a 50 gal rubermade stlye container.

I filled it with water and am going to wait 48 hours for the chlorine to evaporate. Then I will make the move of the turtle. Thank you all for the great help.

I'm going to have to modify the lid... where I can lay the strip light on it. I'm going to buy some mesh and hot glue it to it.

What about a filter? I am kind of turned off by the expensive canister filters. My price range is more like 30 - 50 dolars.

I, at first wasn't sure about a canister filter, but I found one for only $83 (sells in pet stores for about $140) on line at
thatfishplace.com, and it really keeps the water clean! I really feel it was a good investment!!! I have a fluval 304. Good luck with whatever you choose. Just thought Id throw my 2 cents in! Laura

My res seems to be doing great i nhis new 50 gal bin.

I found a fluval 404 for 93 doklars online at reptiledirect.com.

I plan to get it.

I also didn't modify the lid. I instead baught a 6 dolar metal shelf from lows. lol. Works great.

I also cut two 17 inch logs for the new tank. I went looking for a big rock.. and I found a 40 pound rock lol. It was fun cooking all that i nthe oven. Gotta make sure no parasites is in it.

Thank you all again for the help.