Would the 'Fluval 4 Plus Internal Filter' be any good for a 30 gallon turtle tank?

Question

I have a 30 gallon turtle tank at work, with one itty bitty Red Eared Slider. I don't have the tank filled up all the way, because I find the turtle doesn't like to bask under the UV lamp if the water level is too high, I guess it's too hot and burns it. I'd say right now the turtle is at around two inches... the turtle around a year old, so I'm guessing it's a male because it's so tiny still.

I bought a zoomed 501 canister filter, but it's very disappointing. I even tried replacing the media, but I'm still having to change the water weekly. I just want to buy another filter in the meanwhile; I'm obviously going to upgrade the tank and filter once the turtle grows.

Is the 'Fluval 4 Plus Internal Filter' any good? Would it be too big for my tank? here's the link to the filter's description:

http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PROD_ID=01001750021001

Wish I could buy a regular canister filter but my cube doesn't have that much space, and I really don't like how the power filters stick out and don't let the top screen of the tank close.

Please share your experience with this filter, or just an estimate would be great. :) Thanks!

Answer 1

Thanks for researching! Saves time explaining everything in detail!( :

The fluval is a pretty good filter, for that size tank, but i am going to say when choosing filters for a turtle tank, canister is def. the way to go. I have never tryed internal filters, but i am pretty sure that  is ok if you have a budget, but if you are willing to spend a little more money go with canister filters, like the Filstar Rena xp3 filter, or in your case an xp2 since it is a small size tank. Trust me i have an xp3 on my 50 gallon turtle tank, and it works pretty well. At first i was a bit dissapointed because i thought it did not filter well, turns out, i kept it running and in a week my tank was sparkling clean!

+'s for the canister filter (like mine)

+ fits a lot of filtering media inside of the canister baskets

+ is easy to setup and maintain( comes with easy to read directions)

+ it does run quietly, but listen only if the tank is filled up to the top leaving about 4 inches or less, otherwise it can be like rain falling down all the time( it really sounds like that!) It can be annoying for some people, since it sounds like it is always raining, but it is not that bad, seems kind of peaceful to me!It only is loud if your tank is filled up only half way, but i suggest that you fill up the tank at least 3/4, turtles actually like to swim, yours is just a baby!

as for the..

-'s (not many)

-priming can be a bit hard at first, but you will get used to it, its very easy for me.

-you may still see some leftovers/poo in the farthest corner of the tank, but hey daily maintenence will take care of that!( i pick it up with a net)

Wow well it seems like i am trying to advertise this filter,but it is pretty good in my opinion!  Oh and by the way it is a canister filter and sits on the floor, not in the tank, it attaches itself to the tank by tubeing, water goes in one tube, gets filtered, then comes out the other end ( the spray bar is better, then the power nozzle if you want it to be quieter!)

Answer 2

Thats a great filter.for a 30gal should keep it clean.

**Red-eared sliders, Gender especially juveniles, can be difficult to s*x. Gender in adults is determined by external physical characteristics and behavior. Males have longer fore claws (which are use in courtship), a longer tail length. Males are smaller in size and shell length. Turtles are considered juveniles till after 5 yrs old.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...

The bigger the environment the bigger the healthier the turtle.

Did you know that they need to bask under a reptile light UVA for 8 to 10 hrs a day for the vitamin D that they need to grow. So that means getting a turtle dock also.

Leave the heater on 75 to 78 degrees always.

Their water needs to be clean otherwise they get sick easily from dirty water cause they p**p allot.

You need a good filter system! Gravel larger than they can swallow.

You need to feed them feeder guppies, goldfish or minnows for protein and calcium daily drop 20 or so in the tanks and watch them disappear! This way when they swim for their dinner they get exercise also!

They can have garden worm, meal worms, crickets, flies anything that moves!

They need leafy greens Romaine, Butter lettuce. (Iceberg and cabbage are bad for them, any other leafy greens will do) for vitamin A that they need at least 3 to 4 times a week.

You probably already know that they get sick easily, shell rot, respiratory sickness, lopsided swimming, coughing, blowing bubbles, Swollen cloudy eyes means lacking in Vitamin A. Which we all need for good eyes. Google ‘vegetables that Vitamin A’.