How to Use Canister Filters for Turtles

When setting up the home for your pet turtles, it is important that you fit your tank with the proper equipment, including a suitable filter to clean the water in the tank. A common type of filter used in turtle tanks is a canister filter, which is affordable and found in most pet stores. The canister filter is also fairly easy to set up and maintain.

Things You'll Need

  • Filter sponge
  • Replacement carbon
  • Turtle tank
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Instructions

    • 1

      Insert a filter sponge into the canister filter. Since all canister filters are designed differently, the compartment that holds the sponge may be located in different places. Typically, it is located toward the top of the filter. Open the small plastic door to the compartment and place the sponge into the filter.

    • 2

      Place the carbon pellets into the filter. The filter uses these pellets to clean the water. Some canister filters require carbon inserts with the carbon pellets prepackaged in cloth pouches. Other filters just require loose pellets, which you place into a separate compartment in the filter.

    • 3

      Place the filter into the turtle tank, along the side, and attach it to the glass using the suction cups on the back of the filter. The filter must fully submerged in the water or it may not work properly.

    • 4

      Plug the filter into an electrical outlet. The filter should begin working immediately.

    • 5

      Clean the filter at least once a week. Depending on the number or size of the turtles in your tank, the filter may need to be cleaned even more often. The water in the tank can get dirty quite easily.

    • 6

      Unplug the filter and remove it from the tank to clean it. Remove the sponge and wash it under hot water, rinsing out all of the waste material. Also clean the inside and outside of the filter using hot water, and replace the carbon with new carbon inserts or pellets.