All Turtles Message Board

KrisDog

I can't seem to keep the tank water clear for my RES. He's about 5 inches long, and he's in a 30 gallon tank filled about 2/3 full. Here's a pic...

I have a Fluval 3 in the tank (to the left), and I've recently added another filter (on the right)...one recommended by the guy at a local aquarium store... to help with the cleanup.

The trouble I'm having is that there seems to be a LOT of gunk in the bottom of the tank. I'll assume it's turtle poo! Anyway, the water doesn't stink at all, but even with a 50% or more water change it's still cloudy. The particles don't all come up with the suction of the gravel/water vacuum I use for water changes. I even took out the carbon briefly (I read the instructions on the bottle) and tried an anti-cloudy aquarium liquid that was supposed to do the trick... no good. It's still not any better.
I really don't want to invest in another /different filter... I'm in for $100 bucks already in filters!

I suppose I could take it all apart, give it a good cleaning, and leave out the rocks.....

Any thoughts?

Here is a closeup of scratch. I couldn't get a decent pic of him in his tank... he's too active! (I think he's a he... what do you think??)
Also... I think the green stuff on his shell in alge... will that hurt him?

He's not happy with me at all for doing this to him!

Thanks so much for the advice.. I've learned so much from this site... but I feel I have so much more to learn!!
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Kris.

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 351

i had that problem before but with acurel and some time it slowly cleared. how often do u change water? because that could be the reason to. im not sure of those filters r good enough to handle a turtle. the one i use is called magnum 350 convertible canister filter. i acually think its the best thing out there. and so u know thats a her and lose the little rocks just a couple of big ones will do.(and not as big as the one on the left!) wats on your turtles shell it looks greenish and it doesnt look good? Surprised

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Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007

KrisDog · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:31 am Post subject:

Thanks for replying...

I'm thinking (hoping) the green stuff is algae, He had it on him when we brought him home.

or is it a she? hehe I have no idea!
I change the water once a week... about 50-60% of the water, anyway...

I'll get rid of the little rocks and see if that does the trick... He loves that rock on the left... hangs out there all the time! No money for a big canaster at the moment...and I really don't want to just pitch the other two filters.

I'd love more opinions on the shell... if it is algae, what can I do about it?
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Kris.

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 351

well here is a website that u can findout if its a s/he: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Info/info.htmhttp://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Info/info.htm ill do more research on that greenstuff.
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Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007

lilmike04 · Level 2 Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 76

i had that same problem what u should do is get a filter thats like 10 gallons more then what u have

kx125rider · Level 2 Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 94 Location: louisiana

if its algae put a penny in the auarium Laughing

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turtles rock

KrisDog · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject:

it's algae... There is a little bit of the same stuff on the turtle dock, and when I took him outside today to enjoy the real sun, i scrubbed his shell a little bit with a toothbrush and water. It was coming off very green.

I took the rocks out of the tank. The filters are big enough, it was the rocks that were the problem. I cleaned it all out, and now it's crystal clear. I'll wait a few days to make sure, but it should be good to go.

Thanks for the suggestions!!
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Kris.

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 351

your wellcome. Smile

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Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007