Habitat - Outdoor :: Algae in the turtle tub

[reptilegrrl]

The warm weather we've been having recently has greened up the water considerably. It's full of algae and almost opaque. Am I correct in thinking that this isn't a problem as long as the water is being filtered and I keep following the cleaning protocol? The water does not smell.

When I clean the tub, I empty out all the water, then spray out the tub with a water hose about three times. I do this to get rid of debris and dirt. Then I refill using Reptisafe to dechlorinate and encourage bacteria, and add Hagen Turtle Clean bacteria to the water. I do this every 2-3 weeks. At this time I also change or rinse the filter media. Last week, the water started greening the day after cleaning and now it is quite green.

I did a search, but didn't find anything about this specifically. Thanks for any info you can give.

[marisa]

I don't think it will hurt them, but it sounds rather unsightly (a friend of mine once kept fish outside and gave up because he couldn't even see them because of the green/algae). The only thing I've ever read of to eliminate the "problem" was to get a filter with a UV sterilizer (rather expensive).

If you don't like the algae and want to lessen it, can you increase the 02 content of the water as well as lower the temp with more shade (plants)? What kind of filter are you using?

What does the Turtle Clean do besides breaking down the poop?

[reptilegrrl]

Unsightly doesn't worry me; in fact, if the algae makes Al feel more comfortable (because he can hide) , I'm all for that. I just don't want his health to be compromised. Al is very friendly and spends most of his time near the surface of the water, and will specifically come up when I go outside. Most turtlers are telling me that the algae is nothing to worry about.

I am using an Ekip 350 thermofilter. It keeps the water at 75' when things get cold, and aerates a little bit. Until recently, the weather had been quite cool so algae was not a problem, but we've had a hot few weeks. Daytime temps in the upper 70s and low 80s.

The Turtle Clean is a bacteria that breaks down ammonia and proteins. So, poop, urine, food waste, shed skin, stuff like that.

[marisa]

I'm aware of what Turtle Clean is, and I wonder if breaking all that stuff down and having it in the water for 2-3 weeks isn't helping along the algae along with the heat and light. Maybe doing more frequent water changes/partial water changes would help.

[RES Tampa]

I think your best option is to add some plants like marisa mentioned. Water lettuce is easy to grow - just floats in the water.

[reptilegrrl]

I think your best option is to add some plants like marisa mentioned. Water lettuce is easy to grow - just floats in the water.

1)Water lettuce is illegal here. The fine is $500 per plant.

2) It wouldn't last a day. If it's edible, he eats it.

I'm just going to do more partial, water changes. As I have mentioned over and over, the algae does not bother me as long as it does not threaten his health.

[ellman605]

why is it illegal?

[marisa]

Certain plants are considered to be invasive in certain states and are therefore not allowed for sale. Water hyacinth, for example, will replicate and clog up waterways if it gets into them and is therefore banned in some states. In the state I'm in (CT) anachris was declared invasive and sales of it were banned midway through the year. I bought a bunch of it in the spring, and when I went back to buy a supply for winter, I was told it couldn't be purchased anymore. I think the sale of water hyancinth became illegal on Oct. 1 here, but I'll know for sure in the spring, when I try to buy some.

[reptilegrrl]

Marisa is right, plants are banned because they clog up waterways and crowd out native plants. Water hyacinth has been a problem almost everywhere it has been taken. Water lettuce is a problem too. It's too bad for us herpers- some of the local turtle people are talking about lobbying to have it made legal when grown for the purposes of feeding exotic pets. We'll see what happens.

[birdlady]

Here's a hint:
Everytime you empty and refill, you are NOT accomplishing the task of getting rid of the algae..you are just starting the process over again.
You need Shade to elimated algae. Algae will naturally die off in 6-8 wks with insufficient sunlight.
Lucky me...I can legally buy Water Hyacinths as they die off in the winter (thanks really cold winters) and just about any other water plant.
If your looking for quick water plants, go with Creeping Jenny, Water Forget me Nots, Hornwort (think this one is still legal in TX). Palms would work great planted IN the water as a shade during the day and since they are water hogs, you'd never have to worry about watering them. Elephant Ears are another great Shade plant.
Holly

[Pam]

You can use a product called Algaefix. I had this problem also in my outdoor tubs but Oldturtle72 mentioned he used Algaefix and it has worked great for me. Just follow the instructions on the bottle. I believe I got mine at Home Depot. It really took care of the problem and made it so much easier to keep them clean. Hope this helps!

[reptilegrrl]

I repeat, again: I do not object to the algae if it does not compromise his health.

I have to do water changes anyway, to keep his water clean. Insufficient sunlight for algae is also insufficient sunlight for a turtle.

Any plants I put in his tub will be eaten, almost immediately. He loves them. Sometimes he shreds them and doesn't eat them, just for fun.

There is really not enough room in his tub for a palm tree; when I upgrade to a stock tank I do plan on adding an umbrella palm.

[marisa]

birdlady, just curious--- if the water hyancinth died off and you kept the roots in water, would the plant grow again in the spring?

[birdlady]

Marisa..
If I leave them outside, they would be toast in the spring..roots and all.
I can bring them inside for the winter but without the proper light, they would croak.
I keep them in my fishtank filled to the top and use a flourescent light to keep them going. Light stays on about maybe 12 hrs a day if not a bit more depending on cloudiness outside. Also use the natural sunlight from the windows if we get some during the winter.

Also, you can use Miracle Gro in the fishtank IF you don't have fish in there with the plants. If you have fish, take out the plants, soak in miracle gro and then replace in the tank. Seems to give them a much needed boost.
Holly

[fishandcandy]

I repeat, again: I do not object to the algae if it does not compromise his health.

Real ponds have algae. It isn't going to bother him any, so as long as it doesn't bother you, I'd leave it.