The Best Filter for Aquatic Turtles

Aquatic turtles require habitats offering terrestrial and aquatic areas. Turtles enjoy rocks, sand and plants within their habitats. Turtles are not as clean as fish within an aquarium, however, so appropriate filters are necessary. Turtle caregivers may argue as to which filter is the best option for aquatic turtles. Dirty water problems can be solved with internal foam canister filters, under gravel filters, power filters, or canister and under gravel filters used in conjunction.

  1. Internal Foam Canister Filter

    • Small turtles or hatchlings prefer filters with non-turbulent water flow.

      Small aquatic turtle habitats are perfect tanks to use internal foam canister filters. Turtles produce a bulkier waste than fish, often clogging standard aquarium filters. With a tank having more than one turtle or a group of turtle hatchlings, an aquarium may need cleaning quite often without an appropriate filter. Foam canister filters are better suited for turtle maintenance, due to the foam or course granular media, according to Tortoise Trust online. Internal foam canister filters consists of a closed canister, placed inside the tank hidden by plants or other tank decor, with which water is forced through layers of filter material. Alternatively, foam canister filters can also be placed externally. Use aeration stones and vacuum the substrate once a week.

    Undergravel Filters

    • Tanks often get worms or parasites -- treat with fluke tabs.

      Undergravel filters are plates placed on the bottom of aquariums before the substrate material is added. Gravel is often added over undergravel filters, because gravel allows waste material to easily pass through. Gravel, however, is often not recommended by many turtle caretakers, as it can injure some turtle's feet. Some turtle caregivers recommended clay-based gravel as substrate, including MyTurtleCam.com. Undergravel filters are not recommended for tanks with more than one turtle.

    Power Filters

    • Soft-shelled turtles (Apalone/Trionyx sp.) enjoy digging in aquarium sand.

      External power filters are the most common external filters chosen, according to Aquatic Community online. Hung outside the aquarium, the filter receives water through tubes inserted into the water. Choose one filtering water through foam, through a spillway back into the aquarium. The positive aspect of the power filter, when used with an aquatic turtle tank, is the ability for the caregiver to carry out maintenance work to the water without disturbing the tank itself. Internal power filters work well for turtle tanks. These filters sit on the bottom of the tanks. Choose a power filter that pumps 15 gallons per hour with a carbon cartridge.

    Undergravel Filters With Canister Filters

    • Aquatic turtles need rocks to bask on within an aquarium.

      For extra cleaning power in your turtle tank, use an undergravel filter and a deluxe canister filter in conjunction with each other. Place a layer 3 inches or more on top of the undergravel filter. A sponge prelifter helps to remove the waste, and the turtles stir up the substrate gravel, helping the filter clean the water through a charcoal system. The Magnum 350 Deluxe canister filter model is recommended by Turtle Puddle online. According to Turtle Puddle, using undergravel filters in conjunction with canister filters, vacuuming substrate and frequent water changes are avoided.