General Care Discussion :: ph range

[baba]

I've read several places that optimal pH range is 6 to 8 and if it's not far outside of that it's fine. But I don't see any definitions of "far". I checked the pH of the water the other day with a calibrated digital pH meter and I got a pH of 9.0. Is it worth fussing with the pH to try and buffer it at a lower pH or are the guys going to be just as happy at 9 as they would at 7 or 8?

[steve]

Do you know why it's up to 9? How often do you make water changes? I'm not totally up-to-date with acidic/alkaline conditions.

[baba]

I'm not sure why. I did a water test a couple days ago and had a high ammonia level. Not sure why those crept up either but I'm suspecting uneaten food which brings me to another question.

How often are you supposed to feed these guys? I've read, every other day, every day, and twice a day.

Anyway, I removed the little guy and changed 90% of the water. Refilled, about 75 gallons, and retested the ammonia which was still too high (guessing from the filter, etc. so changed about 90% again. Ammonia's great. pH is 9. I had the tap water tested when I bought the place but it's easy enough to drop the meter in a glass of water so I'll check it again tonight. Maybe it's just the pH of the well water although I'd be surprised if it was.

[JimmyLo]

Yeah, if it is the well water, then it's unfortunately a bigger problem than if it's a tank issue.

That's tricky - are you testing it before or after you put the turtle(s) in? I would be doing both from here on, test right after a change, then test after 24 hours again and see if there is a difference.

Can you describe your enclosure a bit more?

How big?
Does it have accessories?
How old are the accessories?
Has your turtle ever been sick in this tank before?
Are you using any conditioners?
How old are the pieces inside the filter?
How old is the filter?
Are you feeding in or out of the tank?

[baba]

I've got 2 tanks:

One 90 gallon with about 75 gallons of water in it and one 6 or 7 inch turtle. It's got 3 rocks forming a bridge in the bottom so he can sit on it or go under it. There's a plastic floating dock. The water is 77 degrees. It's got a Fluval 406 that's only a few months old. Stock components in the filter charcoal, polishing pads, bulk filter pads, biomax, plus additional biomax. Most of the biomax is new. Nothing else in it. Feeding in the tank. Reptomin turtle chow with shrimp bites (LOVES 'em) and dandelions. Was feeding twice a day. Trying to back that off to once a day but my girlfriend likes feeding him.

The other, is about 50 gallons with about 25 gallons in it and two 1.5-2 inch turtles. It's got 3 rocks forming a bridge so they can go under it on bask on it and a floating dock. It also has a Tetra waterfall filter with charcoal and ammo rocks. The water is 80 degrees. I had a Fluval U3 with additional Biomax going in today. Nothing else in it. Feeding in the tank. Reptomin turtle chow and dandelions. Was feeding twice a day. Again, trying to back that off to once a day but my girlfriend likes feeding them.

Forgot to check the pH of the tap water.

[JimmyLo]

Hmmm... this is somewhat puzzling, but there are a few suggestions:

Question: are BOTH tanks showing a similar pH? If so, then odds are it's your tap water. Do you use any conditions? We use Reptisafe to condition, and Turtle Clean to clean.



The good news is, 9 is the lower of the high pH. 6-8 is perfect for most turtle.

First, test your tap water alone - you'll need to know if that's the cause.

If it's not, then try the following for a few days:

Try feeding outside of the tank in a separate container or large dish (considering the size of your turtle). Check the pH everyday to see if it is going down.

Have you tested the pH before all this? Was it ever at a neutral state? If you know that the pH has been neutral at one point, is there something you've changed in the tank since?

[slider_keeper]

water conditioners like those can be harmful to a turtle, if ph levels aren't idea usually we use substrate rocks of filter media to bring the ph into range. I can't think of the needed media, but I do know lime rock is used. VeipaCray is the one to answer this question in great detail for you.

[JimmyLo]

water conditioners like those can be harmful to a turtle, if ph levels aren't idea usually we use substrate rocks of filter media to bring the ph into range. I can't think of the needed media, but I do know lime rock is used. VeipaCray is the one to answer this question in great detail for you.

What? How are they harmful? Only thing I've ever heard about it them is that they are useless, but not that they are harmful.

[slider_keeper]

Do you put chemicals in your water then drink it? The reason you are putting a conditioner in there in the first place is to decontaminate the water, but you are putting other chemicals in it. And if you heard they are useless then why use them in the first place? I will tell you this, based off my experience, I don't use chemicals in my tap water and my turtle is doing fine. He has lived in Nevada, New York and Arizona, so three different places in the U.S. with different water sources and no conditioner. I bet if you make a new topic about water conditioners for turtle tanks, you will get a better answer than I can give you. Actually, I will do it for all of us. Just food for thought;)

[JimmyLo]

Yeah, but when it comes to these animals you could read one thing, and then read the opposite the next day. One day I would read they are useless, the next I would read they are fabulous. But I've never read (until now) that they are harmful.

[slider_keeper]

I started a new topic as to not hijack this on:) That topic will discuss water conditions so this one can discuss ph;)

[steve]

Have you tested just the well water to determine it's pH?

This is the link to discuss water conditioners: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=33826&p=321474#p321474