Reddit reviews EHEIM Classic Canister Filter 2215, Classic 350 - PetOverstock

I'm not sure that you can get a quality canister filter under $60 for that size of tank?

I have an Eheim Classic and it's awesome. Extremely quiet, works great, easy to use, and has been working great for 4 years now. I've been using the 92 gallon version with a 40 gallon tank for a RES (you really want to double up the rating for turtles). I know it's almost double your budget but I'd highly recommend it. Maybe you could get away with the 66 gallon version if your turtle is smaller though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AQXV8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is up to you what you want to do but a tank this size definitely at least needs a filter. To put things in perspective for you, on my 20 gallon tall I run this Ehiem 2215 Canister Filter. My tank also houses 8 female bettas and a ton of other life but this should illustrate how much variance can be in a tank this size. Even if you don't want to get a savage filter like the one I run you at least need to get either a massive sponge filter or a hang on back filter like this one

I know some advice on here would lead you to believe that no current is the best current in a Betta tank but in a tank this size, as long as they have places they can swim out of the current then a current is not only no problem, but is beneficial as you need sufficient water circulation.

Depending on what you decide to decorate with, you will also need a light.

Here is my 20 gallon tall: https://i.imgur.com/Qd2Vha0.jpg

Eheim 2215 is a great canister filter for your budget.

Are you actually finding sand in the impeller housing? If not, you may not even have the same impeller problem if you replace your current filter with another one of the same model.

Supplies:

UVA/UVB Bulb and a basking light for warmth. [This combo bulb runs around $45.] (https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-PowerSun-Mercury-Vapor/dp/B0002AQDJK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493336319&sr=8-2&keywords=zoomed+uva+uvb) Replace every 6-10 months.

A lamp to put it in. This one runs around $25.

Depending on your set-up, you may need a stand. Remember that the bulb is not effective if placed over glass. This stand runs around $25.


Depending on what kind of turtle you get your habitat can range in size (and cost). Some small breed turtles will get by in a 40g-55g habitat. If you get an aquarium it's important to get a sturdy stand that is level. An aquarium that is not level will run the risk of stressing the seams and "bowing". Leading to a leak or break.

Approximate cost of a habitat for a fully grown 5" turtle:
Could run you $155.00 pre-tax during $1/gallon sale with this stand and aquarium.
Or you could spend closer to $70 on a huge 110g stock tank that might be uglier, but you have way more room and could adopt a RES in need of a home. Or you could just have a super over sized habitat for a small turtle. Here's 50g one with different dimensions for a similar price.

Don't forget your canister filter! This one cost me $109.99 last year and has been an absolute dream. Your filter should be rated for twice the aquarium size. I have a 40g with a common musk adult. The canister is rated for a little over 90 so it works well for me. You can shop around.

You can price watch most items on amazon using camelcamelcamel.com to get the best deals for the most part.

You will also want a basking dock. These can vary in price largely because you can make your own for low cost or buy them for anywhere from $20-$60. I made my own using aquarium decorations so it wasn't free but I liked how it worked out.

So let's say all brand new items:
Stand and aquarium at Petco while on sale: $155.
Filter: $110
Bulb + lamp + stand: $95
Dock: $20

We're up to $380 (minus any taxes), minus purchasing a turtle, minus any food or other decorations you may want to purchase.

Stock tank instead of stand? Around $295 instead of $380.

My turtle is a common musk. Georgie is 19 years old this year. I would not be surprised if I have children in high school while Georgie is still alive. Captive kept turtles can live up to 4 decades and potentially longer.

So some big things to remember are: You're going to care for this turtle longer than you should care for your own children. You're going to be responsible for weekly/bi-monthly aquarium maintenance. You're going to still be spending money through out the year to care for your turtle. You will need space. If you're 17 and thinking of going off to college next year don't expect to be able to take your turtle with you and don't expect your parents to care for it properly.

A turtle should be considered a life long commitment. It is very difficult to rehome turtles properly and ensure their care with their new owner.

Good luck and check out Austin's Turtle Page for some turtle species if you live in America. That way you can get an idea for size and types of turtles and what kind of habitats they prefer.

Read-up and good luck!

Here are some pictures from setting up the hardscape, as well as a close up of the plants

And here's some info!


Tank - mr aqua 12g long The back of the tank has been painted with plastidip.

Filter - Eheim 2215

Heater - Hydor 200w inline heater

Light - Current USA Satellite LED+. Have it dimmed to ~60% RGB/White on a memory setting.

Light stand - This off amazon which I had to bend a bit since it's narrower than the Satellite.

Pipes - Chinese lily pipes off ebay. Going to be replacing them with these stainless steel ones


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Sand - Carib sea sand

Gravel substrate - Seachem Flourite

Rocks - Seiryu Stone I bought a few packs and have a good amount extra, just to use interesting pieces. Took a chisel to one rock to get smaller parts to work with.

Wood - 4 Pieces of small / medium spiderwood from my LFS. My LFS had a good selection and they let me configure some pieces to see how they'd work together.

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Plants:

• Anubias Nana Petite
  
• Cryptocoryne Parva
  
• Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green
  
• Java Fern Sp. Narrow
  
• Anubias Nana Thick Leaf
  
• Cryptocoryne Wendtii Red
  
• Staurogyne Repens
  
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  No fauna yet but I plan on moving my RCS over, and getting some micro crabs and possibly another type of shrimp!

Here is the mobile version of your link

I run a dual setup in my 40 gallon long tank; a canister alongside a HOB. I love this setup and recommend it to anyone for larger tanks. It gives you the large size of the canister filter for a good amount of bio media, but you also have the HOB to add any small little things you need to for the tank. For example, in my HOB, I run filter floss, foam, and purigen. While in my canister I run bio balls, foam, and PhosGuard. Oh and I should mention that the HOB I use is an AquaClear 50, and the canister is an Eheim Classic 2215.
Specs on those:
Eheim:
164 GPH
Total Filter volume of 1.1 Gallons
Rated for tanks up to 92 US Gallons
AquaClear
200 GPH max (depends on how much filter media is inside)
Rated for tanks up to 50 gallons

I have this Eheim rated for 92 gallons on my 55 gallon tank and I love it.

I had several Fluvals and I like the Eheim better.