i have a 20 galllon long tank and i put rocks in it. I have 2 turtles and 15 fish in there. Problem is...the waste always gets stuck in the bottom, i have a Aquaclear filter for 50 gallons, but i dont thik you can get the waste that gets stuck in the rocks and what not. Its a real pain to clean out all the rocks. THe rocks are a little bigger than just small pebbels, ther like half an inch long. Is there any suggestions where i can put rocks and have the waste not build up to the point where my water turns dark after a week?
2007-05-19 05:56:42 · 4 answers · asked by chs_soccer_02 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Hang on filters aren't very efficient because the water level should be well below the rim, and this makes the filter motor have to work that much harder to pull up the water from the tank. There's also a tendency for the water to be pulled out of the filer if the pwoer goes out (and this pulls all the gung back into the tank). The only way these work well is if you have a turtle tank, where there's an opening cut in the glass partway up one side where the filter can be put, and the water level is just below the height of the opening.
A submersible filter is better, because it sits in the water and you can turn it on its side (the sides are flat, so it doesn't rock). When I kept aquatic turtles, I used a Fluval Plus 4: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10611/product.web And used bricks around it and a stone on top to make a basking spot - the turtles need to be able to get completely out of the water. Another option would be to use the submersible filter, and put it under a turtle dock. You'll still need to take the filter out and clean it, and do partial water changes each week to keep the water clean.
I'm also a little concerned about the size of your gravel. Your turtles must be fairly small to be kept in that size of a tank. As they grow, they may swallow some of the gravel while they're trying to pick up food from the bottom of your tank. This can cause an intestinal impaction, which may kill your turtle. It's better to use stones they can't fit in their mouths, or no gravel at all (bare bottom tank). And the fish, if they aren't meant to be feeder fish for your turtles, may end up being just that.
2007-05-19 18:27:34 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds very properly. Sand is a discomfort once you may desire to bathe the tank, because of the fact all the droppings etc clear out by using and it gets filthy. Sand could be advantageous to have, i replaced into thinking it, yet found out how no longer undemanding it may be to bathe out. The rocks are stable, turtles like sitting below the lamps for quite a whilst. verify they are in a position to upward push up on them actual. you do no longer elect too many decorations because of the fact 3 turtles will strengthen and that they choose the area.
2017-01-10 08:42:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is much cheaper turtle food available than your 15 other fish.
First step: Get a separate tank for your turtles!
2007-05-20 13:20:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fish and turtles should not be kept together.
I have no suggestions for filtration, turtles are naturally dirty animals.
2007-05-19 06:02:38 · answer #4 · answered by Nettik 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋