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there is a yellow green algae that has recently begun growing in my RES tank. It grows everywhere, though it is not overtaking the entire tank. It seems to be growing at a "natural" rate and the water remains clean. Is this something I should be worried about? I am sure that I wont be able to get rid of it without killing beneficial bacteria in the filter/tank

Would it be easy to wipe off? I would get rid of it, though it probably is not a health risk to your turtles. Beneficial bacteria is located in the bio-media in your filter (usually ceramic rings) and as long as you do not expose it to untreated water and use your current tank water to clean/rinse it, then it's OK.

I have green algae on the edges of the corkbark in my tank and I don't try to remove it unless it becomes unsightly, which is rare. I wouldn't worry about it, unless you don't like the look of it. If you want to clean it, depending on the surface of the object, try using white vinegar and rinsing. For me, it seems to slow the algae's return (if you don't get it all, though, it's inevitable it will return). The bulk of beneficial bacteria colonize in the biomedia of the filter, but I think some also grow on other surfaces in the tank as well.

marisa wrote:I have green algae on the edges of the corkbark in my tank and I don't try to remove it unless it becomes unsightly, which is rare. I wouldn't worry about it, unless you don't like the look of it. If you want to clean it, depending on the surface of the object, try using white vinegar and rinsing. For me, it seems to slow the algae's return (if you don't get it all, though, it's inevitable it will return). The bulk of beneficial bacteria colonize in the biomedia of the filter, but I think some also grow on other surfaces in the tank as well.

Thanks for the replies, it seems to particualrly fast growing, slimy type algae. Its very easy to remove, (easier than the small amount of green algae I have as well.) I can basically wipe it off with a sponge, but it comes back in a few days, and in a week its on everything in the tank that gets the light on it except the glass which is nice. Like I said though, it doesn't seem to be unhealthy for the turt, its not on the waters surface, nor her shell. It started happening after I got a repti sun UVA/UVB light.

p.s., I like to use salt to clean surfaces when they need a good scrubbing it workks as a good abrasive, and rinses clean. Plus I don't think it would hurt the turt if some was left behind. (the pet store owner suggested this method of cleaning). It works great when you pick up rocks from outside and want to clean them before you put them in your tank.