General Care Discussion :: Excessive shedding

[camee1991]

HI all! Im new to this forum as well and have a ??...I have a RES "Tobi"..a girl I think..vet says so anyway...lol And she is almost 2 1/2 and about 6". She seems very healthy to me but she sheds ALOT! I clean the aquarium and the next day it looks as though her whole body has sloughed off skin! Its nasty. I know they shed; but this much? I clean the tank once a week and use a skimmer to get out the skin stuff almost daily. Is she sick??? Or is this normal?
Also, sorry if I interuppted the previous conversation regarding the 20 yr old RES! I wanna say congrats on the age! You must have done something right!!!
Cam

[missibsu]

What is the temp of you water? Sometimes when the temp is to high, it leads to excess shedding. Also, what kind of filter do you have? You should have filter that is rated for 3x's the size of you tank. If you don't skimp, that filter should be pretty good at pulling out all of the nasty stuff. You will still need to clean the tank, but it won't look so bad in between.

What does your set up look like? We love pics! and Welcome!

[camee1991]

Thanks for your quick reply! The water temp is 75 and actually the filter has gone out I think cuz of the excess shedding. It also needed to be upgraded since we went from a 29 gall to a 55 recently. What is the best filter to use with the least clogging? Ive always had probs with my filters, using Fluval and something 501? lol I dont remember. I try to do whats best. And am on the market for a new filter (an easier one too and possible out of tank one for the precious space). Even before, with the right sized filters the water still got real bad really fast! I just dont understand?! Darn shedding! Other than that shes pretty cool! If I can get my pic stuff set up on this new laptop I will be happy to share some pics of my baby!

Thanks again and all suggestions are welcome!
Cam

[missibsu]

I have a 75 gallon and recently upgraded to a Rena xp3. I love it! It was easy to install, and easy to prime. It runs smoothly with no noise. And my tank is sooooo clean. If it weren't for the fact that I know sightless things are hiding in the water from waste...I wouldn't have to clean it for a few months. It's my recommendation. I know that Fluval has a new line out too, there was a post a little while back on it as well. If you are interested.

[steve]

[admin edit = I made this into a new topic]

I've had little success reducing shedding as well. If it's thin and wispy, it sounds OK.

[camee1991]

Thanks Missi! Im gonna look for the Rena xp3 and check it out! And I will check on the new Fluvals too.

And Steve, your post makes me feel better too. The shedding is very thin, and slimy like. So I guess its normal!

Thanks guys!

[camee1991]

missibsu- Thanks for the XP3 tip! I got mine today! Decent price and BIG! Kinda freaked me out! lol We have the full flow going instead of the waterfall deal; full flow is going right into the water, kinda cool and Tobi doesnt seem scared at all of it. No Noise either YEAH!!! I sure hope it keeps the water much cleaner than my old filter did!
ALso could you tell me if you take the intake filter cap off or leave it on. It seems to me it would pick up larger "matter" if it was off? And also, do you use the filter pads that came with the XP3 or did you add extra media? I wanna do whats best and easy also. I kinda figure that if I open the intake filter cap that maybe the pads will get dirty too fast? I dunno...any ideas? Since you have one?! Also if you have any good fast cleaning tricks could you please let me know? Thanks for the tip and the help!
Cam

[missibsu]

I used the media that came with mine, plus the ceramic rings. Mainly cause I had them in my fluval and they were practically new. I left the intake cap on. Sometimes larger pieces of lettuce get stuck to it, but the turtles eat it off of there. If they are large enough that they are reducing suction, I'll knock them off with a toothbrush. The brush part also helps keep it clean...plus the insides when I tear it all apart. I've only cleaned my filter once. I scrubbed the residue with a sponge and rinsed the pads and rings. That's all there was to it. Easier than some other filters I have experienced. And easy to put back together.

I was shocked by the size as well, but it is surprisingly light weight. Also, I use the spray bar with mine, but to each his own. I recently read a story where the turt used the spray bar to hoist himself out of the tank. Not something that I want to happen. Although, there is a lid over that section.

Hope all of this helps.

[camee1991]

Thanks Missi~ Guess Ill keep the cap on...and keep the spray bar in the package for now...lol DOnt want her splitting on me! I do have the ceramic rings also from my old filter. Wonder if it would make a difference or not? Also...how often do you seem to change fiters? (The white one? and do you buy the carbon one and change it too?) Also...what about water changes? Often? or not? Sorry I know I have tons of ?????'s but Im new to this filter and it kinda scares me...lol Thanks for your help!
Cam

[missibsu]

I haven't purchased any replacement parts for my filter yet. The rings that I had were from my fluval...I went ahead and used them. I have only had my filter for a couple of months, so I figure it will be a bit yet before I purchase any replacements. As far as water changes. It seems like I could go a month without touching the water, but there are turtle waste buildups that you can't see. Not to mention if you have anything else in the tank, I have feeder fish. I do a partial water change once a week. I take out half the water and refill it. I don't touch anything else unless it just looks really bad. Once a month I do a big cleaning. Take the stuff out, scrub the algea, etc. This is also when I clean the filter. It doesn't take near as long as it used to, since the filter keeps everything pretty clean.

[steve]

I've only cleaned my filter once.

How long have you had your filter? On average, I have to clean my filter once a month.

Cam, you should re-use your ceramic rings since it should still have the bacteria on it. Perhaps you can add more in there. You can remove the micro-filtration pad since those are intended for fish waste.

[camee1991]

Cool! Thanks you two. Sounds like this will be pretty easily maintainable! Guess Ill use the rings and maybe since I have the pads, just throw em away when they are gross. Otherwise; the big carbon filter bag thing that came with it, I'll just use it. And if the water stays nice maybe buy some more. BTW just for info sake, I bought my items at www.petsolutions.com . They are VERY reasonable and have tons of stuff! (quick shipping also!)

Cam

1 RES, 1 Cockatiel, 2 Kitties, 2 Doggies

[missibsu]

I've only had my filter a couple of months. It's about due for it's second cleaning...that's what this weekend is for! I do clean it about once a month... I thought I mentioned that.

[steve]

You're right! So much for my multi-tasking skills!

[missibsu]

lol...I don't multitask and I know it, yet I always find myself doing it. And then redoing things to fix the mistakes. No harm done!