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DallasNJezzie · Joined: 17 May 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Maryland, USA

Okay so I've gone through 3 different brands of filtrations systems and have been unhappy with all of them. I have a 20 gallon tank with two young (possibly a little over a year old) RES. Currently I have to clean my tank out every 4 - 5 days when I was told by the lady at the pet store that the filter I have now should keep my water clean for atleast a month. I've tried two different sized Fluval filtrations systems and a Zoo Med system. I was wondering what is the best filter to use and if anyone had any suggestions? Thanks!!

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:54 am Post subject:

I have not heard of a filter that will keep the water clean for a month other than if it was used for fish, turtles are more dirty, that is why you should buy a filter that is rated for at leas twice what you have, I never had one of the bigger filters, I got as far as the cascade type ones when I was forced to give up my turtles.

anonymousturtlehelper · Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Posts: 20 Location: Earth

If you get a big canister filter rated at least 3 times the size of your tank, then yes, it should be able to keep your tank clean. However, you will still have to do some maintenance, like vacuuming the tank. You should not have to clean the filter for at least a year though. Eheims and fluvals, and Renas xp3 and up are good ones. Read these articles: here and here

DallasNJezzie · Joined: 17 May 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Maryland, USA

Thanks so much for your help! I've been unable to find canister filters in any stores though. I went out today and bought another Fluval except this one is for a tank twice the size like you said. What is the typical amount of time before the filter and/or water needs to be changed? I know before I upgraded the tank and got a filter I had to clean the tank every two days and so far with the filters I've had, it's been like a week to a week and a half before the water is nasty. Thanks again for all your help!

robin_mathew · Joined: 13 Aug 2008 Posts: 42 Location: india

hey... One thing u can do to keep the water fresh is change a quarter of the water in the tank every week.. Ive been doin this for a year now and i have to clean my tank only once a month... Plus if u ever use the canister type filter like i do, then the sponge needs to be changed every week coz tat gets clogged pretty easily and makes puttin the filter on redundant...