Ensuring your aquatic pet turtle is always healthy requires thorough cleaning and maintenance of the aquarium. Of all the essential aspects needed to rear a healthy pet turtle, the most vital is maintaining a clean water supply.
Unclean water alone can affect the turtle’s health in the tank. It is responsible for nursing many other conditions that can harm your pet turtle.
How do you effectively keep the water in the turtle tank clean frequently? The filtration system. With this simple system, the tank’s water passes through a filter that cleans it and disposes solid waste from the tank’s turtle and other debris.
A typical filtration system consists of the following components: filter, filter media, and water supply connector. Balancing the waste substances in the tank is the chief function of the filtration system. It is essential to cleanse the water in the tank.
Best Filter Media for Turtle Tank
Figuring out the perfect filter media for your turtle tank is not a straightforward quest. You have to consider several variables, including your unique needs, to draw a desirable conclusion.
Some top-quality filter media materials that are proven to generate the best results include:
1) Seachem Purigen Organic Filtration Resin
It is the ideal filtration for your turtle tank. It serves as a non-synthetic scavenging resin that purifies the water in the tank. The premium synthetic absorbent eliminates all the soluble and insoluble pollutants from the water.
The organic filtration resin assimilates excessive nitrogen compounds in the tank to keep the water clean at all times. Nitrogenous organic wastes such as nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are part of what the filter removes before they pose a danger to the turtle’s health and other living organisms in the tank.
Odors are one of the downsides of keeping a turtle tank. With this filter media, you do not have to worry about the stench from the turtle tank. Part of its job is to eliminate odors.
You can use the filter multiple times by merely regenerating it, saving you the cost of having to buy a new one. The filter changes color to let you know when it is time to replace or recharge it.
The default color when you purchase it new is white, but it becomes tan over time, and then it changes to dark brown. It works efficiently for saltwater and freshwater tanks.
Pros:
- Affordable price.
- Instant results.
- Reusable.
- Compact size.
- No technical expertise is needed.
- Light-weight.
Cons:
- There is no warranty.
- The smell can be a problem.
- Regular cleaning (4 months interval).
2) Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon
This chemical filter media is efficient in all the water salinity levels in your aquarium. It is a perfect fit for saltwater and freshwater tanks.
The product keeps the water in the tank clean quickly, working twice as swift as the average filter media.
The black diamond premium activated carbon is a carbon granule that attacks food and chemical residues in the tank. With its small size (in the form of pebbles), the chemical media eliminates all forms of waste and toxic compounds that pollute the water and harm the turtle.
Pros:
- Small size: The short granular form is flawless for any turtle tank.
- It removes impurities, discoloration, and odors from the tank.
- Affordable price: Although its price is reasonable, it boosts as many capabilities (and even more) than more expensive filter media.
- It produces quick results.
- It is the perfect fit for saltwater and freshwater tanks.
Cons:
- Water may turn opaque after continuous usage running into months.
3) Marineland Penguin Rite-Size Cartridge
This filter media is a high-quality product that matches the highest standards and expectations in the market. It purifies the tank water and has an easy-to-use procedure that does not involve any long learning curve.
The cartridge uses a double-thick layer of polyester-fiber materials to make it durable and robust for rough usage. It filters the water in the tank by making it pass through its thick pad. In the process, waste products and debris, and water leaves go through chemical filtration (Marineland Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon) inside the cartridge for more effective results.
The cartridge regulates activated carbon distribution in the water to prevent an overload and deliver maximum results.
Pros:
- Fair pricing.
- Easy installation process.
- Top-notch performance.
- It serves as chemical and mechanical filters.
Cons:
- Frequently change of cartridge monthly for optimum effect.
- The box could get dirty and messy.
- Before you can replace the cartridge, you need first to clean the filter.
4) Fluval Pre-Filter Media
The filter is famous for its efficiency in keeping the aquarium water clean. The ceramic media is the perfect solution for mechanically removing the garbage from the tank. It has a unique hexagon-shape (full of rings) through which the tank water passes.
The simple but effective system prevents clogging, and as a result, expands the life span of the media filter. With it, you do not have to worry about frequent changes.
It doubles as a biological filter, and its ceramic surface is conducive to the growth of helpful bacteria. These bacteria help keep the nitrate and ammonia levels under control.
Pros:
- Long lifespan.
- Clogging is almost non-existent.
- Easy to use and maintain.
- It serves as mechanical and biological filters.
Cons:
- It primarily focuses on large debris; smaller particles are not its priority.
- It needs frequent cleaning for top performance.
5) Biohome Ultimate Filter Media
This filter media is one of the best biological media in the market. It helps achieve the best environmental conditions for the growth and sustenance of aerobic (nitrifying) and anaerobic (denitrifying) bacteria.
The role of beneficial bacteria in the tank is essential for keeping the water clean. They filter the water by breaking down complex compounds such as nitrate, ammonia, and nitrite.
It uses an entirely natural process that does not pose any danger to the turtles. It keeps the tank crystal clear and free from odors. The media works for saltwater and freshwater water.
The media is built with industrial-grade materials, attesting to its long-term span and durability compared to other types. It is flexible and works in unity with other filters.
Pros:
- It is a sustainable environment for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
- It is perfect for saltwater and freshwater tanks.
- It effectively controls the amount of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite in the tank.
- Flexibility.
- High-quality industrial-grade materials make it last longer than similar models.
Cons:
- Expensive for most budgets.
- The big size makes it an unsuitable fit for smaller tanks.
- It may need a mechanical filter for the best result.
- It needs a slow flow rate.
Buyer’s Guide: Definition of A Filter Media
It refers to any substance placed in the filter that improves its water quality. It is the regulator that ensures that the tank’s water is clean and healthy.
There are three types: mechanical, chemical, and biological. They all perform the same role but utilizes different approaches.
Choosing a filter media to use for your aquarium requires you to analyze your needs. You also need to know how to arrange the media for effective results.
1) Mechanical Filter Media
It is always the first in all kinds of filter arrangements. Its physical presence helps shield the biological and chemical filter media from inefficiency due to large debris.
The water in the tank reaches the mechanical filter before it progresses on to the other filters. It serves as a first layer for the purification of the water.
In a typical turtle tank, waste products such as feces, uneaten food, dust, organic debris, decaying plants can become a problem once accumulated. The mechanical filter helps remove a large part of these bodily wastes, keeping the water and environment healthy for turtles.
You can use the mechanical media filter for an extended period without changing it. However, you have to frequently clean it to preserve it for the long haul.
2) Biological Filter Media
The principle behind this filter is to create a natural environment inside the turtle tank that can support the growth and survival of beneficial bacteria. They fall into two groups: aerobic (nitrifying) and anaerobic (denitrifying) bacteria.
The role of these bacteria is to disintegrate dissolved substances in your aquarium, and as a result, help preserve its nitrogen cycle.
Beneficial bacteria need porous spaces on the surface area to thrive; it is in this condition they get their food and oxygen. Biological filters help open up pores and channels to supply oxygen and food for the nitrifying bacteria to succeed.
In a well-ordered tank, after the mechanical filter media comes the biological one. Usually, it comes before any chemical filter.
For the healthy growth of bacteria, the biological media must be free and uncongested at all times. Significant obstructions can lead to their death or inefficiency.
The biological media filter is the apartment of these beneficial bacteria. They are different biological filtrations: sand, gravel, sponges, ceramic rings, bio stars, and bio balls.
3) Chemical Filter Media
This type of filter media is the least used out of the three media. Many tanks do not utilize it. However, despite its unpopularity, it is as effective as the other media. Chemical media works for different purposes: it is efficient in removing impurities in the turtle water tank.
Some of the materials that the chemical filter media helps remove are ferric hydroxide, activated carbon, resins, peat, and zeolite. Other media cannot remove these dissolved organic compounds. The chemical media helps sustain the cleanliness of the water.
Chemical media can eliminate toxins and other undesirable odors and colors. When using this media, note that it may affect the tank’s chemical balance when it comes in contact with some substances.
Conclusion
When buying a filter media for your turtle tank, your needs are the number one factor to note. Price is also an essential factor because you cannot buy beyond what you can afford. However, going for the cheapest is not always the best route. Ideally, you want the filter that offers the best value for you.
After learning about the types of media filters and how they work and getting accurate reviews of the best media filters for turtle tanks, you are in an excellent position to make that decision.
