General Care Discussion :: Algea on turtle dock

[chrisinva]

I noticed green algea on the ramp to my turtles basking dock...I cleaned the tank completly the minute I saw it

What causes this crap??

[Daniel3507]

its probably the heat bulb and the UVB. i have some slight algae on my ramp and on the glass thats around my basking area

[chrisinva]

its probably the heat bulb and the UVB. i have some slight algae on my ramp and on the glass thats around my basking area

Is it harmful to the turtles?

[Daniel3507]

i dont think so. i'll wipe mine down every now and then just because i thinks its ugly.

[spaceapple]

No, it's not harmful. Aside from looking sort of unsightly, algae can actually be good for your tank. It's also a sign that nitrite levels, etc, in your tank are balanced, because it's able to support plant life.

[ignites]

I am having issues with cleaning algea off my turtle dock... i think it kinda smells and its really ugly but i can seem to brush it off (I have a zoo med floating turtle dock) anyone have any ideas how to get rid of it?

[CactusJohn5]

taken from this pages definitions page.

http://www.redearslider.com/glossary.html

Algae – A relatively simple nonflowering plant that grows in water, on the sides of tank, on decorations and on turtle shells. It is not considered to be harmful and can usually be wiped or brushed/scrubbed off.

[ignites]

ya ive been scrubbing like crazy. broke a few tooth brushes.. still not coming off . zoo med docks are textured really well so its a bit hard to scrub in the holes and get all of the algea out =/

[steve]

What kind of brush are you using? If you take it out of the tank, you can use one of those brushes with a handle to make it easier. Just a caution, the Zoo Med dock might not hold up to repeated scrubbings.

[Litch]

What kind of brush are you using? If you take it out of the tank, you can use one of those brushes with a handle to make it easier. Just a caution, the Zoo Med dock might not hold up to repeated scrubbings.

I've had the same problem. Go to walmart and get something like a floor brush. The dock will hold up as long as you don't put too much pressure on it. I typically soaked mine in hot, mild soapy, water for about 15 minutes before brushing and that seems to help. Just make sure you don't have any extra soap residue left on the dock before you put it back in. Eventually you will need to replace it cause of the wear you and your turtle are putting on it.

My suggestion is when you clean your tank, just do the soaking thing and lightly scrub away anything that comes off. You won't get it all but it won't be as bad. If done right, it actually looks a bit cooler and adds a nice lightish green color to the tank, giving it a bit of personality.

[MEandYouPhoto]

I am sure I will get scolded for this but to get rid of and manage the algae on my turtle dock I soak my dock and the stacking stones I have in my tank with a solution of bleach and water, I usually soak for about an hour then I rinse the stones and dock under running water for about 20 minutes. Finally I will soak them again for about another 30 minutes in a water and de-chlorinator solution and one final 20 minute rinse

I then let them air dry before i put them in the tank.

I do this probably every couple of months as needed when I start to get a substantial amount of algae growing in my tank

I have seen no ill effects to either the fish in the tank or the turtle.

[ignites]

I am not sure if soap or bleech is something i want to try. I am just using a spare toothbrush (new /unused) to scrub it off. I guess i can try a floor scrubber if i ever find one, once again for me its just unslightly not that I really care because my tank is actually algea free =);

[PridgNYC]

I think of it as plants that are eating nitrates. It adds to the natural look (as long it doesn't start growing on the glass).