Almost ready to begin construction

[mh32]

thanks for the info

So it looks like the photo in the link he used all 3 types. Would that be recomended. I also am setting up a 40 gal half water half land tank and have been wondering for the last few months if I should drill it and make a similar setup on that tank.

[mh32]

I just ordered some glass drill bits. Decided to give it a try. Does anyone have any suggestions for what filter method to use for a small red eared slider eg. carbon, bio balls, filter cotton.

[Sharkdude]

make sure you practice on some scrap glass, and use diamond hole saw appropriate to size of bulkhead.

freshwater filtration basics
Selecting a Filter For Your Aqaurium

use filter pads instead of cotton, they'll be easier to swap out frequently to clean. sliders make a lot of waste.

[mh32]

Great, thanks for the help!

Good idea to practice on a scrap peice. I probably would have started right on the tank. (I'm very impatient like that)

Should have the bits this weekend. I've been taking photos so I have to show you my progress soon.

[mh32]

Well I drilled my tank sucessfully. I drilled a hole at the bottom for the drain and another at the top for the return/waterfall.

I'm wondering what type of filtration would be best for a red eared slider, and also how necessary is it to put some type of screen over the drain. If the water is just going strait to the filter wouldn't it be best to catch the bigger peices there rather than cleaning off the screen constantly?

[Waterkeeper]

Do a google image search on "sump" and "wet dry" and you will find plenty of pictures of setups and diagrams for how they work and hooking one up.

You want some 3 chambers. the first is for some type of floss or filter pad to catch the debris from the water. The second is for all the carbon you can fill it with. Sliders make stinky water and carbon will help. the third is for bioballs or ceramic rings to hold your beneficial bacteria.

You could do this with a canister filter aswell... having the inlet to the filter be underwater in the tank, and the outlet be for your waterfall.. Ive seen a few setups done that way.

[Sharkdude]

you'll still want to screen the drain to keep it from clogging.
an alternative to filter floss could be a filter sock



get a couple of them, and swap out often, especially with a turtle.

[Sharkdude]

water enters throgh sock left, goes through some bioballs, then carbon, then submersible pump in last chamber on right.

or as waterkeeper said, a cannister filter can be adapted as well

Tom Aquatics Rapids Mini Canister Filter C-80 (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Filters > Canister > For Tanks Under 100 Gal. )

[mh32]

Thanks

That helps a lot. I'll probably get started this weekend.

[Waterkeeper]

I wonder how fast a turtle could clog up a micron sock? If you do wind up using a filter sock, make sure that you get the lowest number you can.. like maybe 10 micron or less.
my 25 micron starts to overflow in about 4 days on my 90 reef... I have only 1 2" fish in there.. all coral... i can only imagine a turtle will clog that thing up in about 2 days.....

one that works more like this with the tray and filter floss would be a much better option IMO....

water dumps down on the left and returns to the tank from the right..