Habitat - Indoor

I rescued a baby RES back in February, and kept him in a small tank until last weekend. I was doing full water changes every few days because the smell was unbearable. This weekend I found a 30+ (not exactly sure how big) gallon tank and this filter

every day the water has gotten cloudier and now smelly. I do feed him in the tank (pellets and vegies) and would prefer not to have to feed in a separate tank. Do I need to let the water and filter work out the bacteria for a while longer, or do I need a better filter?
Someone told me you could put Plecostomus in with your turtle to help with the clarity, is this a good idea?
If I am feeding fruits and vegies, do I need to chop them up into small pieces?
what live plants can I keep in the tank with my turtle?

Thanks

If you have a 30+ gal then you would want a filter that is rated for at least 60 gal of water and 90 gal would be even better. That's the normal rule with turtles at least 2x what you would normally used for fish. I think with a better filter your water would be better. Carbon helps the smell. I have read pleco's create a lot of waste on their own...and I do not think they would do anything to clear the water. The do eat algae, the turtle could eat them too. I cut my carrots in thick strips for my small turtles. I cut everything up but lettuce. That get clipped in veggie clip. Anacharis is a good plant but good luck cus my turtles destroy it, they love their veggies!

Here's our thread on recommended filter sizings and filter media: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145

Cloudy and smelly indicates your tank is trying to cycle. The problem is the filter you've linked may not keep up with your turtles bioload.

I got me a new fluval and I think it will be ok, it's the biggest in-tank one i could get. What can I do about plants? What live plants can I put in there that he can eat? I would like to grow my own, but will he just make a mess if they are ones he likes to eat?
Also, what about a fish that will help with the food mess?

You can create a planted tank for him. How about some guppies or minnows to help with crumbs?

I had the same problem with the "smell" when I first got my Yellow belly slider. I got a canister filter with a place to put carbon in it, and it made a big difference! Carbon kills the smell. I also feed my turtle in his tank. I shred carrots and put a small piece of leafy green veggie in to float in the tank (which should be taken out of the tank, if there are leftovers, and replaced every day) I also feed my turtle crickets and mealworms for treats. He loves them! The cloudy water could be the tank cycling, do you vacuum the bottom of the tank each week? Mistic is right about the filter. The bigger the better. My last filter was a "turtle" filter also...I returned it after a few months and exchanged it for a bigger and stronger canister filter. It says it's for fish, though it works great in my tank. It keeps the water crystal clear and doesn't suck up the leftover food scraps, etc. and get clogged. The filter keeps the water clean and I vacuum the bottom once a week. Also to keep the algae completely non-existent I use Jungle Pond Algae relief and a water softener, I have city water.

Hope you find some of this info useful.

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Habitat - Indoor :: Newbie questions: Filter, live plants, feeding and fish

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