Turtle pump and heater

[NINJATURTLETOM]

I was wondering if anyone had any tips or ideas in to protectin the heater and filter in my snake necks tank coz he beats it about all the time and as soon as i put it back he will knock it out again?!?!

[AnythingWithAShell]

I know what you mean! I had to silicone my filter inlet pipe together, cos Murtle kept knocking the lower sections off, and all that was going into the filter was air!

I used to use a reinforced glass heater with her though, it took one hell of a beating and never once cracked or anything. I had used a cheaper heater once, it lasted 3 days before she cracked it. Splash out on one. I'll get back to you with the one I used if you want? it's in a cupboard somewhere...

[NINJATURTLETOM]

That would be wicked cheers!! And for the filter could you not stick a big rock in front to stop the turtle getting to it or would the rock prevent it filtering the water properly?

[AnythingWithAShell]

No bother The heater I used that apparently would survive nuclear war (!) was a Hydor one. All it says on the heater is 'theo hydor'. It definitely said on the box that it was toughened glass though. I seen the very same one in my local pet shop not so long ago, so you can still get them. I have the 300w one, and if I remember right it cost me abut £35 ish. That was about 5 years ago though! Price could have gone either way since.

You could block the filter pipes a bit, to try and stop the turt getting to them, but I have a very plain tank for my cooter, cos she's mammoth and I don't like to take up any space with anything not necessary! So far though the silicone has worked. What filter are you using? I have Rena filters, and the inlet pipe for them is made up of numerous segments that you push together to make the pipe the length you want it to be. Slight design flaw for hefty turtles though!

[AnythingWithAShell]

In fact, here's the details of it. Much lower in price too. I think I was yanked...
Fish and Fins, UK - Hydor Aquarium heaters

[Graham]

I'm not a great fan of them myself, but an external filter with a built-in heater would solve your problem.

[AnythingWithAShell]

Originally Posted by Graham

I'm not a great fan of them myself, but an external filter with a built-in heater would solve your problem.

They interest me very much. I didn't even know such a thing existed until quite recently! Alas though, I have several aquarium heaters floating around, so no justification to get anything new, even if the turtle collection should grow!

Can I ask why you don't like them?

[Turtle Jo]

Have a look at the rena smart heaters.. made of composite materials and apparently unbreakable. Can also be hooked up to the inlet of a canister filter as an 'inline' heater. I use them on my tropical tanks and find them superb.

[-EJ]

Kind of filter system do you have? What is the flow rate?

Originally Posted by NINJATURTLETOM

I was wondering if anyone had any tips or ideas in to protectin the heater and filter in my snake necks tank coz he beats it about all the time and as soon as i put it back he will knock it out again?!?!

[Fozz]

Why don't you buy filter covers/cages?? I use these and they do take a fair beating....I've never had damage yet since using them...... Plus, they only cost me £3 for 3.......