Turtlekeeping Tips housing Terrapins Correct Husbandry Part 6?
Hey Ed WeBBers,
Time for another turtle file, on housing of our shelled com padres,….
So without further ado lets re-cap..
# First we acquired and resealed our tank!
# Second we built our stand and canopy!
# Third we added decor!
# Fourth we added the lighting!
# Fifth we installed the heater!
Now for this post i want to cover the all important piece of equipment that keeps your turtles water , shall we say spring cleaned!
Ed….do you mean these creatures can actually do house work?
Oh yes…Doris, after a few beers and nuts watching the game on the TV and just before their afternoon swim, they always break out the scourers and scrub the rocks , and clean the glass!
Think shes a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic, but we love her, BLESS !
ANYWAY…
The equipment in question i important for the filtration of the water, and there are two types of filtration units available for this task !
EXTERNAL [Large Canister units] and INTERNAL [Small submerged units]!
But for this post i am recommending we use the first choice, and the one i use is a very powerful external canister filter that does the job keeping the waters clarity and purity to a high standard, which in turn keeps the workload way down for me in the week to week maintenance of their hygiene requirements, its all about keeping the level of your turtles health and well being exactly right, i mean would you like to live in filth and squalor day to dDidn
Didn`t think you would, and neither do your turtles
==>> THEY ARE LIVING, NOT ORNAMENTAL! <<==
Now i have two large turtle set-ups and both tanks are run on external canister filters, which is the ONLY type of filtration you should use when keeping freshwater turtles!
The reason being is because, with an internal filter unit your turtles will uproot it and toss it around causing all of the waste and debris to flow back into the water, which basically defeats the object in the first place of having any filtration, DON`T YOU THINK!
The other preferred method, is the external variety, which is a system of inlet pipe and outlet pipe connected to an external filtration unit where all the waste and debris is held never escaping back into the water, lets take alook at the types of filter mentioned!
Above, is our internal example , this unit would be submerged inside the tank underwater , and is designed more with fish in mind , because they produce far less waste than freshwater turtles , and can easily handle the waste mass !
Below is an external canister filter , and is the exact same model, i personally use and i would highly recommend that YOU use this model too, this type of filter is by far the only solution to your filtration requirements, as its sheer power performance will easily keep your turtles environment to the highest standards!
FLUVAL FX5
All the waste and debris is kept isolated within the canister itself returning only pure filtered water, and here is the correct filter media that i use within the canister, you have three basket compartments in the bottom basket i placed carbonated charcoal , in the middle and top baskets i placed ceramic noodles , i find this does the job aptly ! Now to get all the run down on this filter and its features and capabilities i suggest you check it out here….
http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/FX5_catalogue.pdf,
See why this filter is ideal for your turtles needs check out this marvellous piece of filtration kit that more than over delivers your requirements in the hygiene department, then i strongly recommend when the time comes to add your filter to your set-up you purchase the FX5!
Simply search on google for this model pick the best sales option and buy!
What you must also do periodacridly every three months is completely clean the filter, its a necessity not just to keep the water clean but also to maintain the life of the filter for the long term!
What i do is i use a checklist that i date every three months for the year on an A4 paper that i fomatted in office word , so i know when maintenance is due, and when i have completed the task i tick off that schedule, also if i need any spare parts or replacements i also catalogue them , however i have never needed to as of yet , it makes the worry of missing a maintenance check non -existant!
Heres a pic of one my tanks water clarity using the Fluval FX5, check it out, you will notice the filter at the bottom left!
Always remember turtles need a greater filtration system than fish, so with the FX5 you have more than enough to get the job done!
Well peeps , after all this talk about powerful solutions i think i need a powerful input of knowledge from new book , entitled ..
"How to think straight holding a live electrical cable whilst washing your hair"!
It`s great for the roots!
Don`t miss the next train ride of thought , on how being in a recession can only warrant better sales on eBay , i`m must be going mad more FREE info from the Edster , nursssssssssse the medication!
AHHH Ed WeBBers Thats better until next t ime ..TTFN….Ed.
To Be Continued….
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MY Ed WeBBers ARE PRICELESS!
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Hey, Ed, I never knew you were a turtle lover! Bless you.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
[Heres What I think Ed]
Hi Ed,
very entertaining post. Keep up the good work
cheers
Steve
[Heres What I think Ed]