Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a 125 gallon tank and stand. i want to get a fly river turtle but want to have tank running for atleast a month or two before i purchase. i need advice on a filter. brand model anything i should no about it. the same for uv sterliser and lighting for the tank and any kind of power head that might be recommended. substrate info would be helpfull any books you might no of. or care sheets i want to learn as much as i can before i get into this. p.s im not new to reptiles or turtles. just new to fly river turtles.

Rena makes some good canister filters that aren't too expensive; I think a couple of XP4s would do nicely. But be careful getting a Fly River turtle- I understand that few legal individuals are available.

Fluval XP or 3 AC110 would do the job. You need a fliter that can handle alot of mechanical filtration. For the substrate use a true calcium based sand like the sand used in reef tanks as it will buffer the ph. Also look you the cichlid buffer recipe. The water chemistry should be the same as rift lake cichlids but at a higher temp 80-82.
This is what works for me as it mimics the natural environment.