The red eared slider is slowly becoming a popular pet turtle. They are tiny creatures and very cute, their looks are also very unique to stand out.
An ideal tank for a red eared slider does not need to be too large, but it should provide what your pet needs for its habitat. An example is a filter in red eared slider tank.
The best filter for red eared slider tank will keep the water in the tank at its best. This device will help remove dirt and toxins in the water, thereby helping the red eared slider live healthier and happier.
There are a ton of red eared slider turtle tank filter available for sale right now, and it can be difficult to pick the best one. Beginners, in particular, will have a slightly more difficult start.
Below is a list of the best filters for a red eared slider tank that we objectively selected.
Top 6 Best Filter For Red Eared Slider Tank [Review 2021]
#1 Penn Plax Cascade Canister Aquarium Filter (Editor’s Choice)
“This is the most durable filter with the powerful performance that every red eared slider tank should have.”
This is a canister filter from Penn Plax, a famous manufacturer of aquarium equipment and they own a lot of quality products. And this filter is also one of them, it is very durable and will definitely clean the tank of the red eared slider effectively and permanently.
Since you do not have to place this filter inside the tank or let it be submerged, it may last longer than any other filter. You can place it under the shelf or in any position that feels suitable.
It is a powerful multi-stage filter that effectively filters dirt and odors out of the living environment of the red eared slider. The flow rate does not affect these tiny turtles. Furthermore it also comes with a spray bar that allows water to be aerated and change the water outflow.
A flow rate of 312 GPH means more filtration of the water and thus cleaner, oxygen-filled water.
You should also have no trouble maintaining or setting up the filter and it comes with instructions from the manufacturer. You can even do it on your own without a lot of help.
However this filter is quite energy consuming when in operation and it may make a bit of noise.
#2 Zoo Med Turtle Clean Filter (Best Budget)
Zoo Med is a well-known producer and we probably don’t need to introduce them much anymore. And this filter is a model that you should add to your list of best filters for red eared slider aquarium.
It’s a very good filter for a very cheap price. This filter has biological and chemical filters, which is a big plus for a low-cost filter. This model works better than you might think.
This model has a neat size, it weighs only 8.8 Ounces and measures 5.3 x 3.6 x 3.3 inches. The filter is very compact and when placed inside the tank it won’t take up a lot of space and the red eared slider can still swim freely.
This filter is best suited for use in tanks below 30 gallons. When in operation, it doesn’t make a lot of noise and filters the water very effectively. Dirt, impurities, odors and waste will be removed.
It’s a simple model so setup and maintenance don’t take much effort or time.
However, this model is not as durable as some other types of filters, but with the cheap price and efficiency that it brings, this is still a worthy investment.
#3 Tetra Fauna Viqaquarium
This is an extremely unique decorative filter from Tetra. If you want to save on your investment, combining a filter with decorative accessories is the way to go. It’s a two-in-one investment, you get a filter while you can use it to decorate the tank of the red eared slider.
Tetra is also a well-known manufacturer and what they do in the industry is respectable. And this model is well worth your investment.
It is a three-stage filter, chemical, biological and mechanical filtration. This model works really effectively, ensuring the living environment of the red eared slider is not polluted by impurities, odors, wastes and toxins.
Although the flow rate of this filter is only 80 GPH, it is still enough to completely clean the water in the tank. This filter is suitable for use with tanks below 55 gallons and it works best for that capacity.
This filter resists clogging and makes no noise. It is also built with a sturdy, durable construction.
However, it will take up a considerable amount of space in the tank of the red eared slider, so you need to consider carefully whether it is suitable for the tank you currently have.
#4 Penn Plax Aquarium Cascade Canister Filter
Here’s another canister filter from Penn Plax and this one is cheaper than the # 1 model we introduced earlier. It is a perfect filter for large red eared slider tanks and has lots of accessories in it.
This filter is made from hard plastic and is built with a sturdy construction. It will not be easily destroyed and can last longer than most of the filters currently available on the market. You will certainly be amazed with its longevity.
This filter has a fairly large flow rate, which means it can filter all the water in the tank quickly. The water in the tank will also be filtered multiple times to ensure there are no factors affecting the health of the red eared slider.
It also aerates the water, provides oxygen and helps the water circulate better in the tank. Multi-stage filtration helps to remove impurities and toxins from the water.
It has 360 degree rotating valve caps so you can easily adjust the angle to match the tank of the red eared slider. Setup and maintenance is not quite a complicated undertaking either. Yes comes with instructions from the manufacturer.
However this filter is quite noisy and it can affect your living space a bit.
#5 Tetra Whisper EX Silent Multi-Stage Power Filter
If you are looking for a hang on back filter for a red eared slider tank then look no further than this model. It can be said that it is the most popular hang on back filter today and received a lot of positive reviews from customers.
This filter is ready to go immediately after it comes out of the box. So you do not spend a lot of time setting up this filter.
This filter works well with tanks up to 70 gallons and makes it very versatile as you can use it in a variety of tank sizes.
It is a cave on back filter, so it does not take up much area in the tank of the red eared slider no matter the volume. So your red eared slider can still swim comfortably without being affected.
This model is a multi-stage filtration so it ensures that the water pollutants are completely eliminated. It also comes with other filter media so you can replace them when they’re dirty.
The biggest plus of this filter is that it is extremely silent. No matter how great the flow rate was, it made no noise.
However, the structure of this filter is not too strong and it can fall off at any time, so you need to use an accessory to fix it more firmly.
#6 Tetra ReptoFilter for Terrariums
Here’s another decorative filter that you can trust and invest in. This filter is perfect for decorating shallow water tanks, it is suitable for the habitats of turtles, frogs and newts.
This filter offers a high aesthetic appeal that anyone can be satisfied with. Its water purification action is also very effective.
This model is capable of mechanical, biological and chemical filtration. These three stages of filtration can optimally remove dirt, impurities, odors and toxins from the living space of the red eared slider.
The flow rate of this filter is 125 GPH, it ensures that the water in the tank is filtered many times, thereby maximizing the removal of contaminants. This speed also does not affect the swimming performance of the red eared slider.
This filter is easy to set up and maintain. Although it is a decorative filter, the manufacturer has cleverly built it for you to maintain easily. It also has the ability to reduce the risk of clogging and neutralize odors.
It is suitable for use in tanks below 50 gallons. This filter is safe for all ages of red eared slider.
The only problem with this decorative filter is that it differs from being bulky. Some small tanks may have difficulty setting up this filter.
What Type Of Filter For A Red Eared Silder Tank?
There are many types of red eared slider filters on the market, along with a wide variety of models from a wide variety of manufacturers. That is why many people find it difficult to choose the right filter.
Choosing the right filter type depends on the available space, what kind of setup and your budget. The most common types of filters are the canister filter, the hang on back filter, the clear filter, and the decorative filter.
Each type of filter usually has its own pros and cons. They also differ in durability, filtration stage, flow rate, capacity, size and price.
But as a whole, the most ideal filter type to use for the red eared slider’s tank is the canister fiilter. It is a large capacity filter that filters very efficiently and does not take up a lot of space in the tank.
It does not need to be submerged or placed inside the tank to function. You can put it outside, not in contact with water. So it has a long service life and requires less maintenance.
The only downside to this type of filter is its high cost. But currently on the market there are a lot of well-performing canister filters that come at a reasonable price.
How To Pick The Best Filter For My Red Eared Slider Tank?
#1 Flow rate
Flow rate is a factor you should consider from the start. Flow rate is calculated as the number of gallons of water filtered per hour, which means that the higher the flow rate, the more times the water in the tank is filtered.
So a high flow rate filter is something we recommend. It will remove water pollutants immediately and often, you won’t know when the red eared slider goes to the toilet and the filter will guarantee their waste disposal.
However, for small tanks, you should not choose a filter with a very large flow rate. This will affect the pet’s ability to swim.
#2 Size
You should also pay attention to the size of the filter to see if it matches the size of the tank. If the tank is of a small size then you should choose a filter of corresponding size, or a canister filter.
If you choose a filter that is too large for your tank, it is not only a waste, but also causes problems for your pet. They will not have a lot of space for swimming and exercise, and large filters will not bring a high aesthetic to the tank.
#3 Maintenance
A filter has the main role of cleaning the water in the tank, so it is important to clean it regularly to make sure it does not bring bacteria back into the tank.
Regular maintenance will also make the filter more durable and efficient. This will help the tank filter to last longer and ensure the cleanest water.
You should choose filters that can be easily maintained and cleaned. You should also pay more attention to filters that have easy-to-replace and popular filter media.
Final Verdict
A filter will help the red eared slider live in a healthier and happier environment. But before making any options, take a moment to consider the type of filter that will fit the red eared slider’s tank.
There are many types of red eared slider tank filters available on the market and that is why you should choose carefully. The most expensive filter is not necessarily the best, the best is the best.