return to main index

  market - home
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter link to us on LinkedIn
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research  
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: UGA Study shows pathogens threaten snakes survival in Southern US . . . . . . . . . .  First time Sea Turtle nesting in Florida . . . . . . . . . .  Heavy Metal Scorpion . . . . . . . . . .  How a python change the course of Attenbourgh's life . . . . . . . . . .  Make good choices . . . . . . . . . .  Burmese found on roadside in Wisconsin raises issues . . . . . . . . . .  Happy Earth Day . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake Merch Store . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake returns to Tinley . . . . . . . . . .  kingsnake.com joins Monitor Brains! . . . . . . . . . .  Sneak Peek . . . . . . . . . .  Amphibian gut bacteria showing promise in cancer research . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Meet The Baroness - The world's longest snake . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Updates? . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  The mechanics behind the viper strike . . . . . . . . . .  Snakes on a Train? . . . . . . . . . .  Tracking the animals in the Florida Everglades - Meet the Croc Docs . . . . . . . . . .  Reintroduction attempts give San Francisco Garter a second chance . . . . . . . . . .  Promoting Reptiles is Our Jam Man . . . . . . . . . .  Origins of Chytrid discovered . . . . . . . . . .  Wisdom Wednesday - The Forums - The water is warm... Come on in! . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake.com Past, Present and Future . . . . . . . . . .  IHS Celebrates 50 years . . . . . . . . . .  End of January 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Fun Fact Friday - Green Tree Monitor . . . . . . . . . .  The Evolution of the Osteoderm discovered . . . . . . . . . .  CRE - Jun. 20-21, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - June 20, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - June 21, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - June 26, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Tinley NARBC June - Jun 27-28 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - June 27, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - July 01, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Reptile Super Show & LA Pet Fair - July 11-12 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  PACNWRS - Jul. 11-12, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - July 18, 2026 . . . . . . . . . . 
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research
full banner - advertise here .50¢/1000 views
Click to visit Classifieds
pool banner - $50 year

RE: Looking for recommendations for filter

[ Login ] [ User Prefs ] [ Search Forums ] [ Back to Main Page ] [ Back to Snapping Turtles ] [ Reply To This Message ]
[ Register to Post ]

Posted by: odyssey at Wed Sep 30 00:15:43 2009  [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by odyssey ]  
   

Get a Pondmaster (brand) model 1250 (or bigger).



It has a flow rate of 250 gallons per hour (with a fresh, un-clogged filter) and is rated to be used in a pond or tank up to 600 gallons. (When you have snapping turtles, though, that tank-size rating is optimistic.) I have a model 1250 filter and pump in a 175-gallon tank, and it is just right. Your 200-gallon tank should be fine with it, too. I don't use the fine-mesh carbon filter pad (which is for dissolved gasses and chemicals), only the coarse-fiber one, which does a good job at trapping debris (fecal matter, etc.).



The pump has a magnetic drive, so there is no motor burnout when the filter gets clogged up and the motor sucks almost no water through. I turn off the pump and take out the filter and hose it all down whenever the water flow is noticeably slower. I drain and rinse out the tank and refill it with fresh water every two or three months or so, or if the water gets noticeably stained from leaves or leftover food, etc. (my tank is outside). I point the output from the pump to a vertical position, so it sets up milder water currents (turtles prefer still water).



To hibernate the turtles over the winter, I fill the tank almost to the top and add a small bubbler and a 30-watt aquarium heater to the setup. The heater, along with the water pump (which remains on all winter), add just enough heat to keep the water from freezing all the way through (though it often freezes over on top for several weeks at a time). In fact, the water pump adds enough heat on its own that sometimes I turn the heater off for a day or two. (Ideally, you want the water to stay in the high 30-degree/low 40-degree range for the winter.) The bubbler helps the turtles with their cloacal breathing during hibernation.



This type of setup has worked for me for more than 10 years, with all kinds and sizes of turtles, including big snappers of 45 pounds.

 



   

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Show Entire Thread ]


<< Previous Message:  Looking for recommendations for filter - easternmilk, Tue Nov 18 18:18:50 2008

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You Click here to visit Classifieds Click here for Dragon Serpents
KINGSNAKE.COM

Enjoy all our content free of charge with a user account that gives you full access to every feature. For added visibility, paid options are available - post in our Classifieds, showcase your business with Banner Ads or a Directory listing, promote reptile events, and more.

Quick Links
Community
Legal & Safety
Support

Register for free ✓ Sign up!

Kingsnake.com ® is a registered trademark © 1997-