Best Filter for Red Eared Slider Turtle Tank

Funny and popular, the red eared sliders are great pets to have around the house, even though you do need to get the best accessories for keeping them happy and healthy for a long time.

One of these things you should really need to pay attention to when buying is the filter for the tank as filtration is fundamental for the health of your cute little pals. Ending up with the wrong filter for your tank isn’t just going to be a waste of your money, but also a potential danger for your red eared sliders too.

Which are the most popular choices?

Probably the most popular option among the red-eared slider enthusiasts, the canister filters are great for gallons over 40 gallons.

Here are their main advantages:

• They provide mechanical, biological and chemical filtration
• They have a large chamber so the water volume is increased
• Your little pals have a lot more space to swim and less obstruction to swim around

What we don’t really go for the canister filters are only some minor issues:

• Cleaning them can become challenging, especially if you don’t have the patience or the skills
• They’re not the cheapest out there

Another typical choice for the red-eared slider tanks is the HOB (hang on back) filters that are easy to hang on the back of the tank.

Here are the pros related to them:

• The filtration is efficient and they also sustain oxygenation
• They are compact, easy to install and quite long lasting
• They don’t take much space and the water circulation is effective

However, the HOB filter do come with some downsides:

• The compartment for the filter media is pretty limited most of the time
• They come with specific cartridges that take cleaning for a limited time, therefore it’s only a matter of time until you need to change them
• The cartridges and filter pads are rather small so they’re not taking wear for long time

What about the other options?

Many out there use internal filters that are entirely submerged into the tank. The positives may help you give them a go:

• They’re small and compact, so they’re great for the Nano Aquariums
• They do a good job for keeping the tank clean

The internal filters come with some negatives that should be definitely be considered:

• • They’re not big enough for an adult red-eared slider turtle
  • They only provide mechanical filtration
  • Cleaning them isn’t easy at all

• They do take a lot of space

The Under gravel filters are quite efficient for keeping the water nice and clear in your little pals’ tank.

Here are the good things they bring to the table:

• They provide efficient biological filtration
• They work mostly as secondary filter

Come to think of it, there are more downsides than upsides:

• They don’t provide great mechanical nor chemical filtration
• The red-eared sliders may dig through gravels, stirring up the trapped debris

The conclusion

You can see it for yourself that some filters are going to work better for your red eared slider tanks. However, it is up to you how much time, effort and money you’re willing to pay for the health of your little pals. The ball’s in your court, for sure.

TOP 5 Best Filter for Red Eared Slider Tank

1).  If your mind is set into using a submersible filter for your red eared slider tank, take a leap of faith with the Ca 900 Internal Aquarium Filter.

The filter is powerful and manages to keep clean tanks up to 50 gallons. It comes with plenty of good things so here is the detailed description.

Entirely submersible, the filter is easy to install and comes with air-line hose for oxygen input. It also features a reliable sponge that takes care of the bad and beneficial bacteria. The black bio-sponge does a great job when it comes to cleaning, but it may become a nag as you need to wash every couple of days.

The bio-sponge is responsible for both mechanical and biological filtration and the longer you use it, the more efficient it’s going to be. Keep in mind to always wash it with aquarium water and never tap water.

You don’t need to use any cartridges on the filter, so taking care of the filter is a breeze.

The filter creates a nice current that your red eared sliders is going to love. It has a solid build and a compact shape, so it’s going to take the use for a good amount of time.

Pros

• The filter takes care of mechanical and biological filtration
• You don’t need to use cartridges on it
• It’s easy to install and to clean
• It has a solid build and a compact shape

Cons

• The filter takes care of mechanical and biological filtration
• You don’t need to use cartridges on it
• It’s easy to install and to clean
• It has a solid build and a compact shape

Nevertheless, for the money you’re paying, the filter is a dependable submersible filter that may work for your red eared slider tank.

2).  Using three stage filtration for keeping the water crystal clear in the tank, the Marineland Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter is one filter that comes with enough positives so that its inherent negatives don’t matter.

The internal canister filter is able to go through 290 GPH and it may be confidently used on tanks up to 97 gallons.

One of its greatest feature is the no-priming feature as the filter comes with a submerged motor. This can only mean that the filter is both easy to set it up and to use.

The features continue with the dual-chamber medial container that lets you customize the media according to your needs. The filter comes with Black Diamond Carbon that eliminates discoloration and odors, but also the water impurities. In order to get results, it’s better to replace the carbon once a month as the carbon de-activates the more you use it.

If the Black Diamond Carbon realizes the chemical filtration, the dual-chamber design offers an impressive surface of 153 sq.in for the growth of Bio Spira, thus completing the biological filtration. The Bio Spira is a “good” bacteria that neutralizes nitrites and ammonia.

The filter comes with reusable cartridge that eliminates debris, so that the water gets clear. You can improve its efficiency by charging it with diatomaceous earth.

Nearly silent, the filter is easy to take care and takes good care of your red eared slider tank.

Pros

• The filter provides chemical, mechanical and biological filtration
• It needs no priming
• It’s easy to install and to use
• It’s almost silent

Cons

• The filter provides chemical, mechanical and biological filtration
• It needs no priming
• It’s easy to install and to use
• It’s almost silent

All things considered, as it’s easy to install, to use and safe for your red eared sliders, you should give it a chance next time when in need.

3).  Even though it comes with some tricky parts, the Zoo Med 511 Turtle Clean Canister Filter still manages to stand out from the crowd as it’s both dependable and fairly priced.

The filter comes with hoses that are easy to remove and the only thing that could give headaches to some would be the initial organization of the tubes. Many try to make the best out of the space, which is a bit tricky because of the hoses.

The filter is easy to install and what some may consider stiff, we do see as tough and reliable. The clamps are strong so the filter stays in place, which is so important.

We like a lot the fact that the filter comes with an adjustable flow control so customizing the flow intensity just the way you want isn’t going to be difficult.

The list of good features continues with the removable head of the filter. Additionally, you only need to clean the filter only once a month.

The filter comes with a spray bar and it sustains efficient aeration of the water. It features a calibrated anti-vibration bushing to that the noise level is acceptable.

If you’re looking for a filter for your red eared sliders and don’t have a lot of space in the tank, this one isn’t going to be far from the perfect choice.

Pros

• The filter is efficient and reliable
• The aeration is good
• The hoses are removable and the head opens easy
• The water flow is also adjustable

Cons

• The instructions aren’t quite easy to follow as they’re vague
• One could see the clamps as stiff and not tough

However, as it’s great for turtle tanks, the filter is more that suitable for your red eared slider tank too.

4).  You only need to take a quick look at the Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter in order to understand why it’s so popular out there.

Designed for handling the 100 gallons, the Cascade 1000Black comes many accessories and features that stay behind its reliable performance.

The first one to strike you is the new black canister housing that makes a nice impression, most of the time. The filter comes with Bio Floss, Ceramic Ring, Bio Foam, Pro Carb and a big Magna Sweep algae magnet.

The media trays present a large capacity so it’s easy for you to try a multi-stage filtration. The 5 large media baskets are enough for anyone when customizing the filter with their favorite media.

The priming isn’t difficult as the filter features a fast and easy push-button primer and two 360 degree rotating taps that are independent.

The swimming pool style rotating valves come with flow controls so you may customize the filter just the way you need it. You can also remove the valves from the canister for cleaning. Luckily for everyone, there’s no need for removing the intake, the output and the hoses when cleaning the filer.

Suspending the waste matter isn’t tricky thanks to the directional returns and the rubber mounter tip-proof base has a solid build. The filter doesn’t move and you shouldn’t worry about the safety of your red eared sliders.

The air-tight seal is another important detail on the filter that helps with the noise level. The flow rate is continuous, but the filter isn’t noisy at all.

Removing the top, the clamps or releasing the vacuum is easy for most.

Easy to use, loaded with features and dependable, the filter is going to keep your pals happy for quite some time.

Pros

• The filter looks cools and has a solid build
• It’s loaded with good features
• It runs smooth and quietly
• It’s easy to install, to use and to take care of

Cons

• One may find it tricky to fit the lid perfectly
• It’s not impossible to not be able to start the suction in no time

It goes without saying that the filter still stands as a valid, reliable, strong, quiet and nice looking filter, so what else would you want for your red eared slider tank?

5).  When the price tag is the last thing to check or if you value the health of your red-eared sliders pretty highly, go ahead and put your money at stake with the Fluval Canister Filter, FX6 Filte.

Far from being the cheapest filter, the filter isn’t far from being the perfect choice for keeping your tank crystal clear.

The filter is a multi-stage type that handles the cleaning on both freshwater and marine tanks. The list of feature is long so brace yourself for the detailed look.

Build to clean tanks up to 400 gallons, the filter makes a great first impression as it has an easy-priming Instant-Start system, eliminating the need for manual siphoning.

The purge valve drain at the base adds on that list so you’re never going to have a problem when emptying the canister for cleaning. You should be able to easily stop the water flow with only a 90-degree turn of the valve lever, thanks to the Aqua-stop Valves on the filter. Separating the hosing from the filter is also a breeze.

You shouldn’t worry about the motor or its elements when controlling the water flow due to two valves on the filter: one for the intake and the other one for the output.

The multi-directional output nozzle sends various streams of clear water towards all the corners of the tank and the created currents are gentle, yet effective for circulation.

The siphoning goes quick as the intake strainer of the filter is rounded and pretty wide. The strainer features a screen that keeps debris at distance, so the risk for clogging is minimal.

Let’s not forget the electronic circuit board that controls the impeller speed all the time. The pump is strong and the motor stops on its own when the impeller stops too.

In order to make it all easier for you, the filter also comes with a monthly indicator dial that keeps you posted about the last cleaning and water changing on the filter.

Pros

• The filter presents a multi-stage filtration
• Installation and use are easy and so is the priming
• The motor runs quiet
• It’s strong and solid

Cons

• It does take a bit of space
• The top lid could be made of thicker plastic

Regardless of the minor issues, for the reliability, impressive list of features and efficiency, the filter is a great investment to make for the health and happy life of your red eared sliders.

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