Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I have one RES, about 5" long. I've had her now for about four months. Her name is Shelby and her tank is 55 gal. I keep it just over half full. She has a basking lamp and she's in front of a window. I was told that her tank needs to be in front of a window for natural light. Her filter is a Tetra Whisper power filter with two filters and I keep gravel on the bottom.

There's also a large gold fish in the tank as well. He was suppose to be food but she can't catch him and now I call him Fred and feed him.

I have to clean her tank, completely once a week. I do a complete water change, clean the filters, filter housing, her basking stone, thermometer, gravel and inner tank walls every week. I also use my hose to stir up the gravel and partially fill and empty three to four times each time I clean the tank. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to do everything each time.

It only stays clean for about three days, then it starts to get murky. After five days it's already turning green and by the seventh day, it's a medium green and I can't see through it.

Also, the stone has little nooks and cranies in it so I can never seem to get all of the algea off of it.

What's wrong? Why is this doing this? Or is this common?

I love her but I'm considering donating her to the Fort Worth Zoo because I just can't seem to keep the tank clean.

Can anyone please help?

Thanks

You can start by getting 1 or 2 canister type filters. I also use the fluval internal filters, I can't think of the exact name but the go in the water. As for algae it won't hurt anything as long as you kepp the side of the glass free of it. Not many zoos will take RES because they are so common.

Try moving the tank away from the window. The sunlight might be encouraging the algae to grow. Sunlight that comes through a window doesn't help your turtle. You need a UV lamp for the turtle.

Also try a product likd Turtle Clean. There are other similar products in pond stores. They supply bacteria that decomposes the waste, so there is no food for the algae.

Good luck!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch(rabbit)
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

Invest in a good quality canister filter.

No zoo is going to take your red eared slider. Its like donating something your 2 year old drew to the Louvre.

first of all get rid of all the gravel, very bad for turtles ,they will eat them,,second thing is you have to let some good bacteria build up in the filter, I had the same problem, my son worked for a tropical fish store, and he kept telling me to do that, I was hard headed , finally gave in, now i only change water 2 times a year, I have a fluval 404,you have to let it get a little murkey before it clears right up

First off move the tank to another area away from windows. UVA and UVB does not penetrate glass. All you are doing is growing algae and causing a lot of extra work for yourself. You then need a UV light. If you want to give your turtle natural light which is better then a UV man made light, is to take the turtle out with you when you go outside. But I caution you to keep an eye on the turtle so it doesn't escape or becomes prey for another animal.

Second, ditch the Whisper filters and convert to a canister filter. IMO any canister would be better then an over the back filter, but there is one that is made for turtles it is the Zoo Med 501 canister. This is the description from Zoo Med "The Zoo Med Turtle Canister Filter is specially designed to meet the unique filtration needs of turtle tanks or vivariums with amphibians. It features an extra large carbon chamber for maximum ammonia absorbing capabilities. Includes spray bar system, mechanical filter sponge, biologically active ceramic media and carbon. Its special water pump motor can run dry for up to 30 days without damaging the unit. Includes a manufacturer's one-year guarantee from Zoo Med."

Third, another way to keep your tank cleaner is not to feed you turtle in the tank. It is best to take your turtle out place it in a large Rubbermaid container with water in it and feed the turtle in there.

Lastly, is to get rid of the rocks/gravel. I have to agree that I like the looks of gravel on the bottom but it does make it more work to clean it. My turtles never eat my gravel. I don't see why they would but who knows.

Some extra tips, keep your turtle's water about 78 degrees if not use a heater that is made for turtles. They are more durable. When you do a water change make sure that you use a water conditioner to take out harmful chemicals and hard metals. If you don't then you can dry out the turtle's shell. Like golfdiva said use Turtle Clean it will also help.

I know how much work it is but Shelby will be a much happier RES when you are done. I have to praise you for going the extra mile and getting a 55 gal tank. I work at a lps and everyone wants to put these guys into a 10gal tank and get upset when you tell them what they need. They say all this for a $17 turtle. I tell them all day that it isn't the pet that cost so much it is the setup. Good luck.

First, I want to thank everyone for all their help and advice.

I have removed the gravel, which of course has made it easier for her to get to her food that sinks. And she's never eaten the gravel either. I have seen her spit it out though, but never swallow it.

I haven't moved her from the window yet because I don't know where else to put her right now. But I don't open the blinds anymore. I don’t know if that makes a difference but I’m sure it couldn’t hurt.

I'll check into canister filters and turtle clean. I do use Reptisafe from Zoo Med when I do the water changes and the light is the 100 watt Repti Halogen from Zoo Med as well. I kept trying lower wattages but they just wouldn't get her basking area up to the right level. Also, the water temp is usually around 78.

Petsmart has told me at different times that there just isn’t anything available for algae that’s safe for turtles. I’m just so used to going there, or Petco, for everything I need that I just didn’t think about pond stores, thanks.

And I had already talked to the zoo and they have a turtle rescue there and have already told me that they would take her and I could visit her whenever I go if I couldn't take care of her. I haven’t talked with them for a while but I’m sure the rescue is still there. At least I hope so.

Thanks again, everyone!

I’ll let you know how it goes.

hey, im glad you're listening to everyones advice. i know how hard it is to keep up with the cleaning of a turtle, and i'm having filter difficulties right now...it sucks. lol. anyway, i just wanted to tell you that there are pellets that are made for turtles that float. and that sorta helps with cleaning too. i knowthat when i put stuff that sinks...sometimes my turtle never finds it.

good luck!
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0.0.1 Red Eared Slider

Hi there!

You never told us how often you are feeding a week.

I third the advice. Move the tank from the window. That's causing 95% of your algea growth. All algea needs is water, some light, and nutrients to feed on. Plus, you're not benifiting your turtle in anyway with supplying Vit. D3 with the tank near a window. Glass filters out a good portion of natural UVB rays from the sun. Your turtle is most likely not receiving Vit. D3, which helps reptiles to sythensize calcium in their diet. Metabolic Bone Disease is a calcium definciancy (sp), and can be a serious situation if a reptile is dianosed with MDB. Not trying to scare you but tell you the truth of the situation for your own benifit as well as your reptile buddy.

Invest in a striplight, and a UVB bulb to put on top of the screen cage. That is, if you're not already using some form of a UVB bulb already.

I third also - look into canister filters. You will be overjoyed - guarenteed - by their proformance. These days, I've fallen in love with Rena canister filters but Fluvals will suffice too.

So to recap:

1. Move tank from window.

2. Invest in a new filteration system.

3. Invest in a fixture and a UVB bulb to put into it. Most pet stores that carry reptiles will have these available. Zoo Med's brand in once choice but I've recently used Exo Terra's brand, and I love them, and Exo Terra's bulbs aren't as costly as Zoo Med's.

Good luck.