Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a one-yr. old RES in a 75-gal. tank, with a Magnum Pro Deluxe system (w/ BioWheel). Sometimes, between tank cleanings (but not every time), I get green growing on rocks, etc in the tank. When I clean the pump equipment and BioWheel, it goes away. But why am I getting it in the first place, why only sometimes, and is there anything I can add to the mix to avoid it happening again?

Thanks!

It's called algae. Welcome to the joy's of water and heat lamps. It is due to the UV rays being given off by the heat lamp in the water. There honestly isn't really a good way for indoor setups, but, you might try some of these chemical solutions that are often-times sold in pet stores. Make sure that you are using good filtration and dont use very much of the chemical. If it is safe for fish, it is safe for turtles. The stuff that I have used for my ponds is called "Algae-fix". I got it at a Jack's Aquarium and pets. It works pretty well, but it is only a temporary fix. Frequent water changes are your better bet.

Hope this helps

Chris

Thanks! I will investigate what's available locally. But why do you think that it only occurs at some times and not others? Since the aquarium is near a large window, do you think that the amount of daylight available (which changes seasonally) is a factor in algae growth?

Rob

Definately. You might want to try keeping the tank lights off when the sun is shining thru the window

If algae grow in your rocks and tank decorations, unless they disturb your sense of beauty, you can let them grow. An exception is the long, hairy kind which also makes the water slimy. Those, you should remove. Algae will grow in healthy water with enough light. They are a sign that you are doing something right.
Do not use chemicals to kill algae!!!

If you don't like the algae, brush them off every time you change the water, change the water more often, use a stronger filter, and add a little salt to the water.

In the wild, it is normal for turtles to grow algae on their shells. It helps them camouflage! In captivity, the algae should be removed every once in a while, since algae can encourage growth of fungus in a confined environment.

To remove the algae, hold your turtle under warm tap water and gently brush it with a soft vegetable brush

Sorry, i didnt mention this in my previous post. The information that i posted came from the web site:

http://www.petstation.com/waturtl.htm

I previously had heard that algae was ok so I just looked up a couple other pages that said the same thing. In our tank we have some green in it BUT, we do also treat the water to make it safe for the turtles.

Nate

Well I wouldnt necessarily say that it's a indicator that things are done right. In fact for algae you dont have to do anything at all. Sit a cup of water outside in direct sunlight for a few days and you will get algae. Water nutrients UV = Algae. Algae doesn't have a totally negative effect on the turtles, in fact it typically wont bother them healthwise at all. It is rather un-sightly, but overall it will not hurt them.

So you are all saying that algae is OK, but then you also just said that you do treat the water. What do you treat it with, and do you treat it for aesthetic reasons only?

Algea isn't gonna hurt anything, unless it's out of control. The lights shouldn't be on all the time, that's when it gets crazy.

A little algea isn't bad, alot is a pain. But sometimes if you get enough, the turtle will eat it. Yum!

MIne have tried to nibble at the thin layer on their rocks

dont use chemicals. get a couple algea eaters...believe me, you'll be glad ya did. they're AMAZING little fishies