Im also have and open turtle tank with a sump and a canister filter and i must say ur setup is impressive. One ? I have is im also dealin with a gallon a day evap. What is the name of ur reserve unit device and where did u find it. Thanks
@loco1985padro I use the JBJ Automatic Top Off (A.T.O.) device. Works great. There are others but this is the only one I have experience with. You can find it on the web. I bought mine from Marine Depot.
Since you didn't mention how the beneficial bacteria got into your filtersystem in the first place, does that mean that they just appear by themselves?
I'm building a similar system myself (not quite as elaborate though), hence the question :)
@mackaflow pretty much. The bacteria that are most involved in the nitrification process are Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. They are found just about everywhere but will flourish when the conditions are just right. A wet environment with lots of oxygen is just what they need to take off and break down ammonia byproducts. It may take them a little time to develop but seeding is rarely necessary.
lol I'd do this if I could afford it. :-) Thanks for the video though. Very useful information. I've been a turtle owner for about 1 and a half years now and we're getting my Turtle a bigger tank. I'm gonna get her a filtration system but I don't think it's going to be as professional as yours.
@auto437 sorry, I have no idea.  Probably not economical to sell the stuff in smaller sizes. Get the whole sheet, you may need more in future. It is easy to break down into smaller sizes using a heavy file to break through the plastic and then to file down any sharp nubs.
@netszk I am not an expert in this area but I don't see why not. Colder water holds more oxygen than warmer water, seems it would work just fine. I would check with an aquarium forum to get a certain answer though.
I'll never understand why people would keep turtles in a tank like that when fish would absolutely flourish in it. That aside, you should be well pleased with yourself - this has to be one of the best and most intelligent clips I've seen on YouTube with regard to the subject matter. The filter system is amazing and the overall impact of the tank itself is dazzling.
@HooTooYOOToobBOOToob may I just call you Toob? anyway, there are fish in the tank, about 15 or so catfish and several darters, all bottom feeders. They get along fairly well. There are also a dozen or so ghost shrimp, some of them quite large, not sure how they survive, but they do.
@biss444 that is just eggcrate material you can buy at most hardware stores like Lowes or Home Depot. Using a heavy file you can cut the eggcrate down to the size you want. Be sure to file over the sharp parts that are left after sizing.
I will be building a 100 gal aquarium for my sliders. I want to set up a trickle filter like what you have but I don't know how powerful the pump should be. Any Suggestions?
@fujiibird I am not an expert on designing wet/dry filters. I'm sure there is info out on the web, or better yet, from a good aquarium shop. Someone else designed my system for me. Some overflow kits do give specifications on the max pump gph.
@TheMysteryman334 don't recall.  You can buy wet/dry filters with a sump at most aquarium shops or online. Custom built costs will vary with the cost of oil and how much the builder charges for labor.
Your turtle tank is AWESOME! I wish I had a similar set-up for my turtles. There's a lot of ideas that I got from your video and hope to use it someday.
@crazyboy2251999 I buy my supplies from an aquarium shop. My automatic top-off device is made by JBJ, they are on the web. I don't replace the bio balls. They are supposed to be cleaned once in a while but I have never cleaned them, they do not appear to need it, at least not yet.
@NickDog916 it is hard to say. Turtle aggression is a problem and there is no way to predict when it will happen. Male to male aggression is the worst. I will never have more than one male in my tank. Each turtle should be able to have a hiding area where it can get away from the other turtles, otherwise there will be territory conflicts. My tank is 8 feet long and 3 feet wide with 5 mud turtles. I already have some aggression problems so I am at the limit in my tank.
@sethc3333 there are all kinds of filter pads. I don't recommend one over the other. I have used many kinds. Some are more porous than others, depends on your needs. I now buy my filter media in rolls from Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. They are on the web.
I understand that currently things are excellent and there is no need to mess with the system. In the video you stated that all the surfaces provided nitrogen fixing bacteria. Yet the latest research shows that even 1% of normal daylight levels kills such bacteria. Your nitrogen fixing bacteria which are doing such an excellent job are on the bottom of such items and not on the glass - where they die during the "light" hours. I recognize the system is working fine.
No, not the tank. You box with the bio-balls should not be transparent to light. I am glad to hear it works as it is, and you cannot get better performance. Just if you were to remake it, you might have all the sump and bio-balls in light free containers.
@desertbard it doesn't matter, the chemistry of the tank is excellent. Nevertheless, the sump is in the cabinet underneath the tank and it is NOT lit, it is dark under there unless I have the cabinet door open or the sump lamp turned on during maintenance.
Sorry, some of your information does not consider that nitrifying bacteria.are photo-inhibited. You'd get better action from the bacteria that are not exposed to light. The upper surfaces of ornaments are likely to have dead nitrifying bacteria from the night before, but no current live ones with the lights on.
Yoshioka T Sal10 Y (1984) Photolnh~blt~on and recovery of
NH, +- oxtdlz~ng bacterla and NO, - oxidi zi n g bactena
@desertbard so I should run my tank in the dark 24 hours a day? don't think so. My concern is not a specific portion of the tank but the tank's overall bio-health. ammonia and nitrites are ZERO. I have some nitrates (of course) but they are controlled by live plants and twice weekly partial water changes. I have a healthy crop of catfish, darters, ghost shrimp and five healthy turtles, not to worry. But thanks.
@scourge805 even a canister filter that has its intake near the bottom does not remove all the debris on the bottom of a tank except for what lies near the intake. Waste and decaying vegetation breaks down into ammonia byproducts. The biological filtration then reduces those chemicals to nitrites and finally nitrates. Nitrates are reduced with partial water changes and also by the action of the live plants in the tank. That is why it is important to check your water chemistry periodically.
Thanks for this! Its good to get a detailed explanation of how your set up works - i am looking to put a sump into my fish room so this helps give me ideas :)
@thebrandonhauser1 yes, same guy who built my tank built the sump as well. I bought my cell pore rocks from a local aquarium shop. I have seen it on the web as well, just do a search on 'cell pore rock'.
What is the make/model of that small pump in your auto fill reservoir? I am trying to build a sump that will also act on tidal cycle, thinking of using a couple micro pumps. Thanks.
@bitisfan MIcro Jet, 7W. Don't know what the actual flow rate is. Doesn't matter too much, simply moves water from the reservoir to the sump periodically to manage evaporation. There are many brands of small pumps out there that will work just fine.
@teluxks I don't build my own filters. Depending on the size of your tank, a canister for large tanks or a submersible for small tanks would be best. You must learn how to cycle your tank (you want zero ammonia and nitrites), and to manage nitrates with partial water changes (not full water changes). Live plants help too. 
Bob watched this video about two years ago. And it's still my favourite sump vid. I have two big externals on mine and this makes me want to sump it every time I watch it.
@penguin24245 sorry, don't give filtering suggestions without knowing exactly what I am dealing with...don't want to flood someone's livingroom!! You would be better off getting help from a good aquarium shop regarding filtration.
Generally, turtles need about 2x the rated gallons for a given filter. For example, if you have a 100 gallon turtle tank, your filter should be rated to handle a 200 gallon tank. Turtles are much more messy than most fish.
Thank you. By the way I also have a turtle and the wet dry filter I am about to get has an overflow box but how do I lower it to get to the low water?
@penguin24245 don't know if you can. My tank is drilled so I can choose whatever water depth I want. Best to visit a good aquarium shop and ask the question there, or visit an aquarium forum where you can ask technical questions.
@penguin24245 that's pretty much true. Keep in mind that the chemicals are mixed in the water at all depths, like ammonia, nitrites, etc. Debris, however, does tend to settle on the bottom. In a large tank with lots of water, that debris eventually breaks down into ammonia byproducts and is dispatched by the wet/dry filter. If I stir the bottom of my tank, all kinds of decaying vegetation will become visible, just like it would at the bottom of a pond or lake. I don't worry about it.
Hey I was just wondering, you don't need any type of activated carbon media in the filter? I have a canister filter and find it annoying having to replace the activated carbon media filter once a month.
@xfuz1on I use it when I add new mopani wood since that kind of wood leaches tannins. In an otherwise properly filtered tank with zero ammonia and zero nitrites, carbon is probably not necessary.
@AWS0MEVIDE0S I am not a plant expert but I prefer anacharis since it looks nice and the turtles will sometimes eat it. There are many good plants though. Join the Turtle Forum and see what folks recommend for your specific turtle species.
@wutangclan36chamber don't remember exactly. Price of building an acrylic tank goes up and down with the price of oil. Call your local aquarium shops and ask if they build custom acrylic tanks. They can give you a price based on the size of the tank you want. A company called Glasscages builds large acrylic tanks for a decent price, look them up on the web.
@TheDamschroder yes. You can find many DIY instructions on setting up a wet/dry system on the web. If you have a knowledgeable aquarium shop in the area, best to get their expert help sizing and setting up your system for the first time. They can give you options to choose from.
this video was very interesting. i also enjoy having pet turtles but i run into issues with have to constantly clean the tank regardless of how many filters i have.....with everything you have installed how often do you have to take EVERYTHING out and clean and reinstall? or at all? ....also does your tank smell....turtles are very dirty
. if you would reply to this i would be very interested in receiving a reply. thank you
@lee50mooney I do a complete breakdown of the tank perhaps once a year. I don't siphon at all except from the two corner boxes where the overflow tubes are. I pretty much let nature do its work with nitrification. If you stir up the moss on the bottom, you will get all kinds of stuff, decaying plant vegetation, stuff like that. The wet/dry does an excellent job of managing the waste (chemically speaking). I don't sweat the debris. Also, a large water volume dilutes the debris.
@ShinyHunterExtreme I have a ton of Mopani wood in the tank which leaches tannins. That is why the water is tinted. Carbon will remove much of it. In time, it eventually disappears. Tannins do not harm water quality.
he really knows about that filter system i have a box turtle and i have that type of tank but 6 feet long and 5 inches wide and 20inches tall it is filled with heater fish for them to eat and i am sort of a breeder of these turtles and i have a diy filter system and i make 400$ off of every turtle or fish i get filled with the little territarium
Good work with that tank. I want to make a system like that.
But i wonder how the turtles live with fishes or plants etc? Are they Trachemys Scripta? iI have two of these and they attack every living thing in my little palidarium.
@dirseginiyalayanadam I have mud turtles, they are much smaller. They will take a shot at a fish now and then, so it can happen. Never any guarantees when mixing fish and turtles.
@BauriBob Hmm i don't think i could find that mud turtels in turkey:(
I want to ask another question I didn't understand how you mix the water in tank because you pump clean and warm water from the surface and you you take the waste water from the surface also very close to where clean water comes. I think the clean water cycles without mixing in tank.
@dirseginiyalayanadam it looks that way but the water is mixing. The outflow on each back corner is moving at 700 gallons per hour and is driven outward with some force. There is very little loss of filtered water.  But if you are worried about that simply do this. Put your overflow on one end of the tank and the outflow at the other end, you will lose not have a problem that way.
well one last question do you change the whole water in the tank periodically or treatment and adding water because of vaporisation enough to maintain water quality?
@dirseginiyalayanadam I do partial water changes twice a week, about 30 gallons each time. My house water is treated to remove chlorine and chloramines so I don't have to treat it separately. I lose abut a gallon a day through evaporation but I have an automatic topoff device (ATO) and a separate reservoir to maintain the sump water level. I only change out all the water every year or so.
well one last question do you change the whole water in the tank periodically or treatment and adding water because of vaporisation enough to maintain water quality?
@BauriBob Hmm i don't think i could find that mud turtels in turkey:(
I want to ask another question I didn't understand how you mix the water in tank because you pump clean and warm water from the surface and you you take the waste water from the surface also very close to where clean water comes. I think the clean water cycles without mixing in tank.
@AKIYIAKELLY I don't know about that. But if you are going to take an animal out of its natural habitat, it is only fair to give it something similar in captivity. All of my turtles are rescues though only one can never be released back into the wild.
@JayHyphenMichael I'd have to dismantle the entire thing and set it up somewhere else. Have done that before when I replaced the carpet with tile. Will happen again when I do major maintenance.
Hi bob, To clean my tanks lately, I've been using two powerheads that have been fitted with plastic bottles which take care of the mechanical and biological aspect of filtration. From time to time, I also siphon all the little leftover junk that is settled at the bottom. With that said, my question is: Is all the water that enters the tank is from the overflow pipes? If so, how does all of the animal waste and leftover food enter the sump tank?I Would like a sump setup, but not sure yet. Thanks!
@MrPrikPrak my filter pad in the sump gets very dirty, so stuff does go into the overflow tubes. No filter can suck debris from one part of the tank to another, not even a good canister filter. What actually happens in a tank with good biological filtration is that the debris dissolves into the water and is converted into nitrates. Be sure to test your ammonia and nitrites, they should be zero. Partial water changes keeps the nitrates in check.
@Gixxr11 the black nozzles? Got them from an aquarium shop. Think they come with the Megaflow overflow kit. I am using only PVC now though, don't care for those tubes. Do a web search on Megaflow and see if you can find what you need. They can be shortened or lengthed by removing sections of the tubing.
@joelmorelius337 a local aquarium shop contracts with a builder. If you are looking for someone to build you a tank, call a few fish shops in your town, you will probably find someone. Give them pretty exact dimensions in order to get an estimate.
What kind of sand do you use in the tank/where do you buy it? I'm thinking of switching to sand for my RES tank, but if I have to get the reptisand from the pet store forget it, the stuff goes for like 15 bucks a bag. I Don't know if anybody has had any luck with like play sand from home depot?
@athikerguy4life I use play sand from Home Depot or Lowes. I have used it for years, it works fine. Just rinse it well first. After laying down the sand, nestle a bowl into the sand and direct the water into the bowl so you don't stir up the sand, otherwise the water will be cloudy for a while.
how many gallon can your sump hold, could it go in a bedroom or is to load (im a light sleeper)and last did you have to reinforce the floor to hold the tank
@johncean12396 If filled it would hold 46 gallons, but I never have more than about 20 to 25 gallons in the sump. It sits on a concrete slab so the floor doesn't need to be reinforced. Trickle filters tend to be noisy but there are tricks to quiet them down. Most turtle keepers use canister filters which are very quiet.
Love your tank design but i have one question. Do you have any issues with debris staying near the bottom of the tank and not making it up to the outflow tubes? I have a very messy adult snapping turtle and am in the process of designing a filtration system for a larger tank. Your design is very clean and i love that pump failure would not result in an empty tank.
@Trepsik Because my tank is fairly large and there is plenty of water, about 200 gallons, the waste quickly breaks down into ammonia and basically disappears from view. There is some debris on the bottom but it is hidden under the moss. It bio degrades naturally thanks to the wet/dry filter. Some debris collects in the corner boxes and I siphon that out periodically. No filter including a canister can completely remove all particulate matter. But it does eventually break down and dissolve.
@insideriverside I use two Danner Mag-Drive Supreme 7 pumps in the sump. The are each 700 gph. You can control the force or speed of the outflow by the diameter of the outflow nozzles returning water to the tank. A wider outflow nozzle will reduce the speed of the flow, a narrow outflow nozzle will create a strong current but the actual output or volume of water flowing remains about the same.
@ukuleleboi1 really? I live in a small town house. My car is 10 years old. I had to get rid of the stereo to make room along the wall for my giant turtle tank. The TV is now jammed into the corner of the living room. I wish I lived in a big house too!! We all make choices on what and where we spend our money.
@xsaythissoonerx a large acrylic tank will cost you plenty. prices vary according to the price of oil, location. Best to ask an aquarium shop in your area for an estimate. Tell them the dimensions and they should give you a price. There is also the cost of a stand, pumps, some plumbing, etc.
@BauriBob Thanks, One more thing, I just made my own sump and im not exactly sure how big my pump needs to be to counteract how much water is going down my overflow box... is there a way to calculate or a formula? Please help me out.
@RyMcQuillen I did not design my own sump/filter. I had an aquarium shop do that for me. Obviously you don't want the pump too strong or you will possibly overflow your tank and/or drain your sump. I strongly recommend you contact a good aquarium shop in your area for some professional advice. Or you can search the web for design specs (overflow diameter, pump size, sump volume, etc.) If you mess up, you could have a small flood on your hands.
@aisumi123 yes but not more often than once a year. Takes two days to empty, clean, and refill the tank. Catching all the fish and ghost shrimp is the hard part. Removing the sand takes a quite some time as well.
An algae filter would reduce nitrate and phosphate which are things you otherwise need to eliminate through water changes. The algae filter seems to be a well kept secret in the aquariumï
Im also have and open turtle tank with a sump and a canister filter and i must say ur setup is impressive. One ? I have is im also dealin with a gallon a day evap. What is the name of ur reserve unit device and where did u find it. Thanks
loco1985padro 17 hours ago
@loco1985padro I use the JBJ Automatic Top Off (A.T.O.) device. Works great. There are others but this is the only one I have experience with. You can find it on the web. I bought mine from Marine Depot.
BauriBob 12 hours ago
Since you didn't mention how the beneficial bacteria got into your filtersystem in the first place, does that mean that they just appear by themselves?
I'm building a similar system myself (not quite as elaborate though), hence the question :)
mackaflow 1 week ago
@mackaflow pretty much. The bacteria that are most involved in the nitrification process are Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. They are found just about everywhere but will flourish when the conditions are just right. A wet environment with lots of oxygen is just what they need to take off and break down ammonia byproducts. It may take them a little time to develop but seeding is rarely necessary.
BauriBob 1 week ago
@BauriBob Thanks for the answer! Appreciate it.
/Bulb
mackaflow 1 week ago
lol I'd do this if I could afford it. :-) Thanks for the video though. Very useful information. I've been a turtle owner for about 1 and a half years now and we're getting my Turtle a bigger tank. I'm gonna get her a filtration system but I don't think it's going to be as professional as yours.
MoulderSDK 2 weeks ago
Wow I wish I knew how to build that :(
lizmk87 2 weeks ago
@lizmk87 I got help from an aquarium shop. Best to do that unless you really know what you are doing. No one needs a flood in their living room!!
BauriBob 2 weeks ago
Nice video, and awesome set up.
I am new to this, but I want to give my turtles a good habitat.
Very informative video!
Thank you!
makpete 2 weeks ago
inspeak of egv crates, where can i find small amounts? i only need about 1 sq feet while homedepot only sells in few feets.
auto437 2 weeks ago
@auto437 sorry, I have no idea.  Probably not economical to sell the stuff in smaller sizes. Get the whole sheet, you may need more in future. It is easy to break down into smaller sizes using a heavy file to break through the plastic and then to file down any sharp nubs.
BauriBob 2 weeks ago
Hey, I'm sure you answered this already, but I couldn't find it in the comments. Where did you buy the drip plate?
driftking1129 3 weeks ago
@driftking1129 it's called egg crate. Used in lighting applications. You can buy it an most hardware stores like Lowes or Home Depot.
BauriBob 3 weeks ago
dammmm thats some crazy shit
SwhompMonsta 1 month ago in playlist Aquarium/Filters
to clear up the water you could use some activated carbon and use mopani wood instead of bog wood... btw very nice setup
DmaProductions1 1 month ago
@DmaProductions1 I do use Mopani wood. I also have bags of carbon in the sump to reduce the tannin, something I do on and off.
BauriBob 1 month ago
Great video. Thanks for posting it. Would this filter/bacteria system work on a tank with 55 degrees water?
netszk 1 month ago
@netszk I am not an expert in this area but I don't see why not. Colder water holds more oxygen than warmer water, seems it would work just fine. I would check with an aquarium forum to get a certain answer though.
BauriBob 1 month ago
I.<3.IT.!!
Davidaregreat 1 month ago
I'll never understand why people would keep turtles in a tank like that when fish would absolutely flourish in it. That aside, you should be well pleased with yourself - this has to be one of the best and most intelligent clips I've seen on YouTube with regard to the subject matter. The filter system is amazing and the overall impact of the tank itself is dazzling.
Thank you very much for sharing.
HooTooYOOToobBOOToob 1 month ago in playlist Aquarium/Filters
@HooTooYOOToobBOOToob may I just call you Toob? anyway, there are fish in the tank, about 15 or so catfish and several darters, all bottom feeders. They get along fairly well. There are also a dozen or so ghost shrimp, some of them quite large, not sure how they survive, but they do.
BauriBob 1 month ago
Aquarium is Great! Dou u have more videos about AQ
vladakru 1 month ago in playlist Aquarium/Filters
great video. wanted to know where you get the material, panels, you have that seperate your bioballs from your rock at the bottem, thanks, dennis
biss444 1 month ago
@biss444 that is just eggcrate material you can buy at most hardware stores like Lowes or Home Depot. Using a heavy file you can cut the eggcrate down to the size you want. Be sure to file over the sharp parts that are left after sizing.
BauriBob 1 month ago
Outstanding!

knox2613 1 month ago
ur a legend
JagoRossi 2 months ago
I will be building a 100 gal aquarium for my sliders. I want to set up a trickle filter like what you have but I don't know how powerful the pump should be. Any Suggestions?
fujiibird 2 months ago
@fujiibird I am not an expert on designing wet/dry filters. I'm sure there is info out on the web, or better yet, from a good aquarium shop. Someone else designed my system for me. Some overflow kits do give specifications on the max pump gph.
BauriBob 2 months ago
how much? ;p
TheMysteryman334 2 months ago
@TheMysteryman334 don't recall.  You can buy wet/dry filters with a sump at most aquarium shops or online. Custom built costs will vary with the cost of oil and how much the builder charges for labor.
BauriBob 2 months ago
@BauriBob i meant me buying the whole system and your tank off you ! :D
TheMysteryman334 2 months ago
@TheMysteryman334 not for sale at this time. But if I build a new tank, will let you know in case you are still in the market.
BauriBob 2 months ago
Now that is amazing. You can tell you put a lot of work into it. Great job!
LyleVertigo 2 months ago
Your turtle tank is AWESOME! I wish I had a similar set-up for my turtles. There's a lot of ideas that I got from your video and hope to use it someday.
climbingturtle10c 2 months ago
do u have to replace the bio balls. and can u give me some websites to buy stuff for ur trickle filter (ex) auto matic top of device
crazyboy2251999 2 months ago
@crazyboy2251999 I buy my supplies from an aquarium shop. My automatic top-off device is made by JBJ, they are on the web. I don't replace the bio balls. They are supposed to be cleaned once in a while but I have never cleaned them, they do not appear to need it, at least not yet.
BauriBob 2 months ago
if i have a 50 gallon tank how many Musk turtles do you think I could have in there???
NickDog916 2 months ago
@NickDog916 it is hard to say. Turtle aggression is a problem and there is no way to predict when it will happen. Male to male aggression is the worst. I will never have more than one male in my tank. Each turtle should be able to have a hiding area where it can get away from the other turtles, otherwise there will be territory conflicts. My tank is 8 feet long and 3 feet wide with 5 mud turtles. I already have some aggression problems so I am at the limit in my tank.
BauriBob 2 months ago
wow so beautiful!!
nooriedoll 2 months ago
@nooriedoll well, thank you! 
BauriBob 2 months ago
Okay thanks
sethc3333 2 months ago
Do you use the stuff that is labeled - disposable filter media?
sethc3333 2 months ago
@sethc3333 The specific media I use is labeled PF8C in the catalog, comes in 30 foot rolls. It is disposable.
BauriBob 2 months ago
Can you post the link for where to buy it online. I want to make sure I get the right type
sethc3333 2 months ago
@sethc3333 there are all kinds of filter pads. I don't recommend one over the other. I have used many kinds. Some are more porous than others, depends on your needs. I now buy my filter media in rolls from Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc. They are on the web.
BauriBob 2 months ago
What is the mechanical filtration material and where can you get it? Thanks
sethc3333 2 months ago
@sethc3333 just foam pads, not sure what the material is made out of. You can buy it in any aquarium shop or even online.
BauriBob 2 months ago
I understand that currently things are excellent and there is no need to mess with the system. In the video you stated that all the surfaces provided nitrogen fixing bacteria. Yet the latest research shows that even 1% of normal daylight levels kills such bacteria. Your nitrogen fixing bacteria which are doing such an excellent job are on the bottom of such items and not on the glass - where they die during the "light" hours. I recognize the system is working fine.
desertbard 2 months ago
No, not the tank. You box with the bio-balls should not be transparent to light. I am glad to hear it works as it is, and you cannot get better performance. Just if you were to remake it, you might have all the sump and bio-balls in light free containers.
desertbard 2 months ago
@desertbard it doesn't matter, the chemistry of the tank is excellent. Nevertheless, the sump is in the cabinet underneath the tank and it is NOT lit, it is dark under there unless I have the cabinet door open or the sump lamp turned on during maintenance.
BauriBob 2 months ago
Sorry, some of your information does not consider that nitrifying bacteria.are photo-inhibited. You'd get better action from the bacteria that are not exposed to light. The upper surfaces of ornaments are likely to have dead nitrifying bacteria from the night before, but no current live ones with the lights on.
Yoshioka T Sal10 Y (1984) Photolnh~blt~on and recovery of
NH, +- oxtdlz~ng bacterla and NO, - oxidi zi n g bactena
J Gen Appl M ~c r o b ~ o l 3 0 151-16
desertbard 2 months ago
@desertbard so I should run my tank in the dark 24 hours a day? don't think so. My concern is not a specific portion of the tank but the tank's overall bio-health. ammonia and nitrites are ZERO. I have some nitrates (of course) but they are controlled by live plants and twice weekly partial water changes. I have a healthy crop of catfish, darters, ghost shrimp and five healthy turtles, not to worry. But thanks.
BauriBob 2 months ago 2
was that filter DIY
fabihanski 2 months ago
@fabihanski it was built by the same guy that built my tank.
BauriBob 2 months ago
u r such a genius man
mqatarm1 2 months ago
Wish i could buy smt like that...
bjaii 2 months ago
your tank is so freicking awesome your turtles must be so relaxed
jangablocks12 2 months ago
I am a wastewater plant operator and I have 5 turtles for pets. Needless to say, I think your filtering system is awesome!!!
turtlegurl4 2 months ago
@turtlegurl4 thanks!
BauriBob 2 months ago
this is amazing
dtp5150 3 months ago
I HAVE THAT KIND OF A AIR PUMP!!!
ukiuki551 3 months ago
being that the over flow is at twelve inches wat do u do about all the material that sits at the bottom?
scourge805 3 months ago
@scourge805 even a canister filter that has its intake near the bottom does not remove all the debris on the bottom of a tank except for what lies near the intake. Waste and decaying vegetation breaks down into ammonia byproducts. The biological filtration then reduces those chemicals to nitrites and finally nitrates. Nitrates are reduced with partial water changes and also by the action of the live plants in the tank. That is why it is important to check your water chemistry periodically.
BauriBob 3 months ago
Very cool !!!
SumpfPfotenRacer 3 months ago
Thanks for this! Its good to get a detailed explanation of how your set up works - i am looking to put a sump into my fish room so this helps give me ideas :)
87Rorie 3 months ago
@thebrandonhauser1 yes, same guy who built my tank built the sump as well. I bought my cell pore rocks from a local aquarium shop. I have seen it on the web as well, just do a search on 'cell pore rock'.
BauriBob 3 months ago
What is the make/model of that small pump in your auto fill reservoir? I am trying to build a sump that will also act on tidal cycle, thinking of using a couple micro pumps. Thanks.
bitisfan 3 months ago
@bitisfan MIcro Jet, 7W. Don't know what the actual flow rate is. Doesn't matter too much, simply moves water from the reservoir to the sump periodically to manage evaporation. There are many brands of small pumps out there that will work just fine.
BauriBob 3 months ago
Hi, it there any DIY filter I can use to keep my goldfish tank's water clean n clear?
thx
teluxks 3 months ago
@teluxks I don't build my own filters. Depending on the size of your tank, a canister for large tanks or a submersible for small tanks would be best. You must learn how to cycle your tank (you want zero ammonia and nitrites), and to manage nitrates with partial water changes (not full water changes). Live plants help too. 
BauriBob 3 months ago
If im a turtle , i would definitely wanna live in ur tank :) !
boyboysam29 4 months ago
Kudos - Very nice setup and video. What kind of turtles do you have?
vormwmik54 4 months ago
@vormwmik54 Currently I have five 3-striped mud turtles, one male, four females.
BauriBob 4 months ago
Bob watched this video about two years ago. And it's still my favourite sump vid. I have two big externals on mine and this makes me want to sump it every time I watch it.
walsallcrew 4 months ago
And could I use a strong submersible pump to intake water to the filter
penguin24245 4 months ago
@penguin24245 sorry, don't give filtering suggestions without knowing exactly what I am dealing with...don't want to flood someone's livingroom!! You would be better off getting help from a good aquarium shop regarding filtration.
Generally, turtles need about 2x the rated gallons for a given filter. For example, if you have a 100 gallon turtle tank, your filter should be rated to handle a 200 gallon tank. Turtles are much more messy than most fish.
BauriBob 4 months ago
Thank you. By the way I also have a turtle and the wet dry filter I am about to get has an overflow box but how do I lower it to get to the low water?
penguin24245 4 months ago
@penguin24245 don't know if you can. My tank is drilled so I can choose whatever water depth I want. Best to visit a good aquarium shop and ask the question there, or visit an aquarium forum where you can ask technical questions.
BauriBob 4 months ago
If you have an overflow tube does that mean your filter only cleans the water on the top because the overflow only gets the water on the top?
penguin24245 4 months ago
@penguin24245 that's pretty much true. Keep in mind that the chemicals are mixed in the water at all depths, like ammonia, nitrites, etc. Debris, however, does tend to settle on the bottom. In a large tank with lots of water, that debris eventually breaks down into ammonia byproducts and is dispatched by the wet/dry filter. If I stir the bottom of my tank, all kinds of decaying vegetation will become visible, just like it would at the bottom of a pond or lake. I don't worry about it.
BauriBob 4 months ago
That whole setup is amazing!!!!
zuppe33 4 months ago
Hey I was just wondering, you don't need any type of activated carbon media in the filter? I have a canister filter and find it annoying having to replace the activated carbon media filter once a month.
xfuz1on 4 months ago
@xfuz1on I use it when I add new mopani wood since that kind of wood leaches tannins. In an otherwise properly filtered tank with zero ammonia and zero nitrites, carbon is probably not necessary.
BauriBob 4 months ago
How do you cut the acrylic glass?
1iquid5nake 4 months ago
@1iquid5nake I don't. My tank was built by someone who works for a local aquarium shop. You can probably find DIY acrylic info on the web.
BauriBob 4 months ago
What kind of plants should be used for a tank?
AWS0MEVIDE0S 4 months ago
@AWS0MEVIDE0S I am not a plant expert but I prefer anacharis since it looks nice and the turtles will sometimes eat it. There are many good plants though. Join the Turtle Forum and see what folks recommend for your specific turtle species.
BauriBob 4 months ago
wowwwwwwww
TarissaCD1 5 months ago
OMG!!!!

arklaren 5 months ago
best turtle tank setup i ever seen!!!
how much did it cost to build this?
wutangclan36chamber 5 months ago
@wutangclan36chamber don't remember exactly. Price of building an acrylic tank goes up and down with the price of oil. Call your local aquarium shops and ask if they build custom acrylic tanks. They can give you a price based on the size of the tank you want. A company called Glasscages builds large acrylic tanks for a decent price, look them up on the web.
BauriBob 5 months ago
i wish my turtle tank looked this good!
ayeedotrosa 5 months ago
Could you use egg crate to make a bio tower?
TheDamschroder 6 months ago
@TheDamschroder yes. You can find many DIY instructions on setting up a wet/dry system on the web. If you have a knowledgeable aquarium shop in the area, best to get their expert help sizing and setting up your system for the first time. They can give you options to choose from.
BauriBob 6 months ago
@BauriBob Thank you for all the good info!
TheDamschroder 6 months ago
this video was very interesting. i also enjoy having pet turtles but i run into issues with have to constantly clean the tank regardless of how many filters i have.....with everything you have installed how often do you have to take EVERYTHING out and clean and reinstall? or at all? ....also does your tank smell....turtles are very dirty
. if you would reply to this i would be very interested in receiving a reply. thank you
lee50mooney 6 months ago
@lee50mooney I do a complete breakdown of the tank perhaps once a year. I don't siphon at all except from the two corner boxes where the overflow tubes are. I pretty much let nature do its work with nitrification. If you stir up the moss on the bottom, you will get all kinds of stuff, decaying plant vegetation, stuff like that. The wet/dry does an excellent job of managing the waste (chemically speaking). I don't sweat the debris. Also, a large water volume dilutes the debris.
BauriBob 6 months ago
Great job, that video was a pleasure to watch and I learned a lot. Thanks!
lzeta606 7 months ago
put k1 media in ur sump
kirby7979 7 months ago
This is sweet
someguytalking2u 7 months ago
damn thats an awesome setup
bahamaboy25 7 months ago
Awesome set up, great job!
Mlegion1988 7 months ago
AMAZING!
Akbal25 7 months ago
is it normal that your turtle water looks a little brown yellowish? cuz the water cant allows stay clean, right?
ShinyHunterExtreme 8 months ago
@ShinyHunterExtreme I have a ton of Mopani wood in the tank which leaches tannins. That is why the water is tinted. Carbon will remove much of it. In time, it eventually disappears. Tannins do not harm water quality.
BauriBob 8 months ago
he really knows about that filter system i have a box turtle and i have that type of tank but 6 feet long and 5 inches wide and 20inches tall it is filled with heater fish for them to eat and i am sort of a breeder of these turtles and i have a diy filter system and i make 400$ off of every turtle or fish i get filled with the little territarium
spookycheese123 8 months ago
Good work with that tank. I want to make a system like that.
But i wonder how the turtles live with fishes or plants etc? Are they Trachemys Scripta? iI have two of these and they attack every living thing in my little palidarium.
dirseginiyalayanadam 8 months ago
@dirseginiyalayanadam I have mud turtles, they are much smaller. They will take a shot at a fish now and then, so it can happen. Never any guarantees when mixing fish and turtles.
BauriBob 8 months ago
@BauriBob Hmm i don't think i could find that mud turtels in turkey:(
I want to ask another question I didn't understand how you mix the water in tank because you pump clean and warm water from the surface and you you take the waste water from the surface also very close to where clean water comes. I think the clean water cycles without mixing in tank.
sorry for my bad english
dirseginiyalayanadam 8 months ago
@dirseginiyalayanadam it looks that way but the water is mixing. The outflow on each back corner is moving at 700 gallons per hour and is driven outward with some force. There is very little loss of filtered water.  But if you are worried about that simply do this. Put your overflow on one end of the tank and the outflow at the other end, you will lose not have a problem that way.
BauriBob 8 months ago
@BauriBob If you say so:)
well one last question do you change the whole water in the tank periodically or treatment and adding water because of vaporisation enough to maintain water quality?
dirseginiyalayanadam 8 months ago
@dirseginiyalayanadam I do partial water changes twice a week, about 30 gallons each time. My house water is treated to remove chlorine and chloramines so I don't have to treat it separately. I lose abut a gallon a day through evaporation but I have an automatic topoff device (ATO) and a separate reservoir to maintain the sump water level. I only change out all the water every year or so.
BauriBob 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@BauriBob If you say so:)
well one last question do you change the whole water in the tank periodically or treatment and adding water because of vaporisation enough to maintain water quality?
dirseginiyalayanadam 8 months ago
@BauriBob Hmm i don't think i could find that mud turtels in turkey:(
I want to ask another question I didn't understand how you mix the water in tank because you pump clean and warm water from the surface and you you take the waste water from the surface also very close to where clean water comes. I think the clean water cycles without mixing in tank.
sorry for my bad english
dirseginiyalayanadam 8 months ago
Very nice...
That turtle is living better than
some humans..lol
Thx for the Video!
AKIYIAKELLY 8 months ago
@AKIYIAKELLY I don't know about that. But if you are going to take an animal out of its natural habitat, it is only fair to give it something similar in captivity. All of my turtles are rescues though only one can never be released back into the wild.
BauriBob 8 months ago
Hello there, Very nice tank, Where did you get all these supplies from?
pokermaniac0978 9 months ago
@pokermaniac0978 aquarium shops for the filtering materials, mopani wood. Lowes or Home Depot for the sand. 
BauriBob 9 months ago
what's the name of those rock?
pokermaniac0978 9 months ago
What would you do if you had to move?!
JayHyphenMichael 9 months ago 2
@JayHyphenMichael not sure what you are asking. if I had to move, I'd move.
BauriBob 9 months ago
@BauriBob I was thinking it'd be so hard to move with all that intricate piping etc. That's all.
JayHyphenMichael 9 months ago
@JayHyphenMichael I'd have to dismantle the entire thing and set it up somewhere else. Have done that before when I replaced the carpet with tile. Will happen again when I do major maintenance.
BauriBob 9 months ago
nice work
TheMarek11 9 months ago
i can only dream to one day replicate a biotope on the scale you have here for my r.e.s
lifeeineveryword 9 months ago
hi where did you got that black and blue balls?
2000Louiemega 10 months ago
@2000Louiemega at a local aquarium shop. you can also buy them on the web.
BauriBob 10 months ago
Hi bob, To clean my tanks lately, I've been using two powerheads that have been fitted with plastic bottles which take care of the mechanical and biological aspect of filtration. From time to time, I also siphon all the little leftover junk that is settled at the bottom. With that said, my question is: Is all the water that enters the tank is from the overflow pipes? If so, how does all of the animal waste and leftover food enter the sump tank?I Would like a sump setup, but not sure yet. Thanks!
MrPrikPrak 10 months ago
@MrPrikPrak my filter pad in the sump gets very dirty, so stuff does go into the overflow tubes. No filter can suck debris from one part of the tank to another, not even a good canister filter. What actually happens in a tank with good biological filtration is that the debris dissolves into the water and is converted into nitrates. Be sure to test your ammonia and nitrites, they should be zero. Partial water changes keeps the nitrates in check.
BauriBob 10 months ago
You have one of, if not the nicest setup I have seen. Thank you for explaining and making this video.
JeffOehlsen 10 months ago
@JeffOehlsen Thanks. 
BauriBob 10 months ago
Thats one lucky turtle..
Thefuzz17901 10 months ago
Great video mate good job !!!! :)
Davidkinzett 10 months ago
hey where did you get that 2 way nozzle and what size ?
Gixxr11 11 months ago
@Gixxr11 the black nozzles? Got them from an aquarium shop. Think they come with the Megaflow overflow kit. I am using only PVC now though, don't care for those tubes. Do a web search on Megaflow and see if you can find what you need. They can be shortened or lengthed by removing sections of the tubing.
BauriBob 11 months ago
Very nice tank and system. Kudos !
Amithrius 11 months ago
nece set up

fishkepper88 11 months ago
where did you buy that tank
joelmorelius337 11 months ago
@joelmorelius337 a local aquarium shop contracts with a builder. If you are looking for someone to build you a tank, call a few fish shops in your town, you will probably find someone. Give them pretty exact dimensions in order to get an estimate.
BauriBob 11 months ago
Very nice mate, good job with the tank and the video, thanks for taking the time to show us...
9364peter 11 months ago 4
What kind of sand do you use in the tank/where do you buy it? I'm thinking of switching to sand for my RES tank, but if I have to get the reptisand from the pet store forget it, the stuff goes for like 15 bucks a bag. I Don't know if anybody has had any luck with like play sand from home depot?
athikerguy4life 11 months ago
@athikerguy4life I use play sand from Home Depot or Lowes. I have used it for years, it works fine. Just rinse it well first. After laying down the sand, nestle a bowl into the sand and direct the water into the bowl so you don't stir up the sand, otherwise the water will be cloudy for a while.
BauriBob 11 months ago
is the bio tower connected to the sump?
JUSTICEJJ11 11 months ago
@JUSTICEJJ11 yes, it is connected. search the web for wet dry filters and you will see some good pictures of what they look like.
BauriBob 11 months ago
how many gallon can your sump hold, could it go in a bedroom or is to load (im a light sleeper)and last did you have to reinforce the floor to hold the tank
johncean12396 11 months ago
@johncean12396 If filled it would hold 46 gallons, but I never have more than about 20 to 25 gallons in the sump. It sits on a concrete slab so the floor doesn't need to be reinforced. Trickle filters tend to be noisy but there are tricks to quiet them down. Most turtle keepers use canister filters which are very quiet.
BauriBob 11 months ago
pumps in the sump ;D
KeySour 11 months ago
Love your tank design but i have one question. Do you have any issues with debris staying near the bottom of the tank and not making it up to the outflow tubes? I have a very messy adult snapping turtle and am in the process of designing a filtration system for a larger tank. Your design is very clean and i love that pump failure would not result in an empty tank.
Trepsik 1 year ago
@Trepsik Because my tank is fairly large and there is plenty of water, about 200 gallons, the waste quickly breaks down into ammonia and basically disappears from view. There is some debris on the bottom but it is hidden under the moss. It bio degrades naturally thanks to the wet/dry filter. Some debris collects in the corner boxes and I siphon that out periodically. No filter including a canister can completely remove all particulate matter. But it does eventually break down and dissolve.
BauriBob 1 year ago
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johncean12396 11 months ago
my turtle lives in a bowel
zuhair2012 1 year ago
Great! Thanks for the detailed explanation. I understand some more than I did before.
Also some people like the look of blackwater (tannin)
mosaicglass 1 year ago
This is a great example for us, thanks.
My canisters and water changes are kicking my fanny.
I like the amount of flow, not too crazy. What pumps are you using?
insideriverside 1 year ago
@insideriverside I use two Danner Mag-Drive Supreme 7 pumps in the sump. The are each 700 gph. You can control the force or speed of the outflow by the diameter of the outflow nozzles returning water to the tank. A wider outflow nozzle will reduce the speed of the flow, a narrow outflow nozzle will create a strong current but the actual output or volume of water flowing remains about the same.
BauriBob 1 year ago
@BauriBob Thx Bob
Since you have 2 do you think you are turning the tank over about 4-6 times per hour?
Wish I have 8' feet of space under the tank, sure would be easier.
insideriverside 1 year ago
@insideriverside that sounds about right.
BauriBob 1 year ago
this is amazing!nice video!love it!congradulations!nice work!
esguitcha 1 year ago
beast....
TheNewBeastBoy 1 year ago
darn you rich people with big houses and big tanks
ukuleleboi1 1 year ago
@ukuleleboi1 really? I live in a small town house. My car is 10 years old. I had to get rid of the stereo to make room along the wall for my giant turtle tank. The TV is now jammed into the corner of the living room. I wish I lived in a big house too!! We all make choices on what and where we spend our money.
BauriBob 1 year ago 7
Excellent setup you've got there. Well thought through.
fathli 1 year ago
Im wanting to build one of these, about how much do you have in yours?
xsaythissoonerx 1 year ago
@xsaythissoonerx a large acrylic tank will cost you plenty. prices vary according to the price of oil, location. Best to ask an aquarium shop in your area for an estimate. Tell them the dimensions and they should give you a price. There is also the cost of a stand, pumps, some plumbing, etc.
BauriBob 1 year ago
What powerhead do you use to pump the water back to your tank?
RyMcQuillen 1 year ago
@RyMcQuillen I use two Mag Drive pumps, model 7 (700 gph) in the sump. 
BauriBob 1 year ago
@BauriBob Thanks, One more thing, I just made my own sump and im not exactly sure how big my pump needs to be to counteract how much water is going down my overflow box... is there a way to calculate or a formula? Please help me out.
RyMcQuillen 1 year ago
@RyMcQuillen I did not design my own sump/filter. I had an aquarium shop do that for me. Obviously you don't want the pump too strong or you will possibly overflow your tank and/or drain your sump. I strongly recommend you contact a good aquarium shop in your area for some professional advice. Or you can search the web for design specs (overflow diameter, pump size, sump volume, etc.) If you mess up, you could have a small flood on your hands.
BauriBob 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
do you ever clean up the whole tank? Looks difficult if you want to clean the whole tanko.o also nice tank
aisumi123 1 year ago
do you ever clean up the whole tank? Looks difficult if you want to clean the whole tanko.o
aisumi123 1 year ago
@aisumi123 yes but not more often than once a year. Takes two days to empty, clean, and refill the tank. Catching all the fish and ghost shrimp is the hard part. Removing the sand takes a quite some time as well.
BauriBob 1 year ago
An algae filter would reduce nitrate and phosphate which are things you otherwise need to eliminate through water changes. The algae filter seems to be a well kept secret in the aquariumï