False Bottom Water Pump/Filtration Question - What pump to use?

[tinkgirl77]

Ok guys, So i'm still in the building phases of my RETF vivarium. My little guys are on their way from Mike Novy, my hospital tank is ready, but now I gotta get the Vivarium ready. I am working in an exo terra 18 x 18 x 24 with a false eggcrate bottom. I am trying to make this as low maintenance as possible ( I know the water will have to be changed out weekly/bi weekly depending on home my tank lives). So here's what I have so far. Like I said eggcrate bottom, then hydroballs, window screen mesh, then plantation soil/ecoearth the some leaf litter from Josh's. I am creating a small water area (filled with large river rock pebbles) to allow frog wading area probably in the front of the enclosure. So my big question is this.. I am looking to put a water filtration pump in it to help keep the water clean. My water table has to be less than 5 inches (due to door height). I'm considering placing the pump in the back left corner and allowing water flow though a 1/2 cork tube to cascade into my front pond. So far I've been looking into these pumps tetrafauna turtle cliff (small), zoo med Micro pump (104 or 304), Tetrafauna Repto filter 90, or the Fluval Nano internal Reptile Filter. Which would yall use or have used? Any ideas, questions, comments, concerns are welcome! Thanks anyone and everyone who is willing to donate their 2 cents!

[Bdimas]

Sounds good so far. My only concern is that you said you want to use a pump to keep your water clean.

The only thing these pumps will do is move water, not clean your water. I'm not too sure about the Fluval you mentioned though.

I would be sure that you are able to either siphon, drain, or pump your water out so that it may be cleaned.

[tinkgirl77]

Oh i plan on siphoning it out as often as necessary ( just need to see how often that ends up being for my tank). All of the above pumps do filter just varies how much pump to pump. My dad actually has used the zoo med micro filters for his Fish fountain and they work pretty well. Just not sure how they will do in a vivarium yet. I think I'm leaning towards the fluval or the reptofilter. No too sure yet though going to go price shopping today.

[Bdimas]

I stand corrected.

It sounds like your good to go! One thing with your substrate you may want to consider is adding tree fern fiber to it. It will help with drainage so that your substrate doesn't get soaked and compacted.

[tinkgirl77]

Where can I get the tree fern fiber without ordering it?

[Bdimas]

Maybe try calling some of your local pets shops. I'm lucky that I have a couple pet shops near me that carry it. ExoTerra packages it.

[deranged chipmunk]

Wanna buy some? I just happen to have a bag laying around. (Like that's a surprise..lol) seriously though, most decent pet stores should carry it. You already know that i use the fluval nano. Just remember, it was designed for small tanks, mainly shrimp tanks, so they only provide bio and mechanical filtration. No chemical filtration (charcoal, ammonia killers,ect). But, you should never need chemical filtration anyway.

Remember, if you load the tank of with microfauna (springtails and isopods), the tank will tank even less work.