Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:11 pm Re: Algae Eaters And tank cleaning.
Sorry I don't use Instagram or facebook to see your photos. With the way's in 2017 even on this forum they and photobucket changed the rules for third party posting. Make one join and pay for third party posting. Not me ! I post from my own PC. You could do that just resize your pictures to about 816x612 and will post direct from your PC to forum.
I would guess that Richard (a girl) now is about 6" or more and that's a big bio load. That rock filter is truly just for looks / decoration and does not do much to clean the water. Also the hang on tank one is rated for 40 gallon tank (fish gallons) ? You are just way under filtered , so cleaning a must almost every other day. Get a bucket on wheels to help you with water changes or a long hose to drain out the door. Next tank place it somewhere for maintenance to be easy ! Just turned 16 that's great ! I started in 1963 when I was 8 , so I know it's hard.
What will help a lot is a canister type filter that does mechanical , chemical and biological filtering.
Most filters are rated for fish gallons not turtle gallons. And come with media for fish , must change media for a turtle needs ! As you know turtles are very messy and require 2-5x's the flow of fish for a healthy tank !
Example : babies 2-3x's flow that of fish , juveniles 3-4x's flow and adults 4-5x's flow also 10 gallons for every inch of turtle shell , this is also to help control the parameters of the water for a turtle health. Anything less and will be cleaning very often with a lot of water changes !!!
Your girl since 2010 is now a young adult and will get as a female 12" when full grown. Maybe little smaller depends on her DNA , just a little so she will one day require 120 gallons tank. Or you save a lot of money with a stock tank and used that saved money on a good filter ? Make it look as if an indoor pond as I do , I'm old now on a fixed income retired and need to watch my money . Look around on this forum I have several videos and lots of pictures , may give you some ideas on a stock tank ? Also google and click on images for ideas about stock tanks. You can make them look good and more like a natural pond for your girl.
Bottom line I would have to assume since 55 is full you have some type above tank basking area (ATBA) that's good if so ? More water for her to swim in. I would get a good filter one that will handle her next upgrade tank ( maybe her final adult tank ) down the road when you are on your own. Use that 55 full now and concentrate on saving for a real good filter that will work now and in the future tank ! A good turtle filter will help on all that maintenance. You will never get away from maintenance and water changes but a good filter if set up correct could let you go every other week on cleanings ! I use a FX6 today in a 150 gallon stock tank and only have to clean it every other week , could go three weeks but I do every two !!! Piggley's a male RES about 5" , you should see the claws on him bigger than my nails ! Before that it was all DIY filters that worked for me. Not saying a FX is the only way to go there are other good filters , just buy the biggest filter you can afford and use that 55 for now until you on your own ! At least something rated 220 gallons minimum ( for the 55 gallon) or more would be better so it could work in next tank upgrade !
You can do it , this hobby is great and turtles are great pets / friends ! I would have some in there 40's if Hurricane Katrine didn't take them , my car , house , all.... today it's only Piggley and me .