General Care Discussion :: Mold in tank and on shell

[thekasia]

Hey there everyone,

I always get great advice when I post here -- it's my first stop when I have a question. Hopefully one day I'll learn enough to be able to help other people out!

I have a 55 gallon tank, running a Fluval 404 (meant for a 70 gallon tank), with my RES Jughead (who used to be Veronica) who is about 4" long and 1 year old. (I have no idea why he grew so fast, but he seems healthy).

Water is clear, with no film, no smell. But I have noticed that there is mold/green colour on certain areas... Mostly the areas that the turtle hangs out in alot, like on the top leaves of the the plastic plants, under the basking dock (made of see through plastic), on the river rocks and large stones where he hangs out.

It's been like this every since I had him.. in the smaller thank there'd be green stuff on the rocks where he used to bask. I would just clean it off with a nail brush when I changed the water.

Now I've noticed the stuff on his shell. Mind you it could have just rubbed off while he was swimming around. I took him out 2 weeks ago to check his shell and it was all good and strong. I always have some cuttlebone floating in there to make sure he's got calcium.

Basically my question is, should I be alarmed?

Thanks in advance,

Kasia

[Andrew7769]

is your tank in direct sunlight? sounds like algae problem 2 me....it is not harmful to the turt....can u get a pic of the green stuff?

[marisa]

Sounds like algae to me as well. Nothing to be alarmed about, but can look unsightly. You can easily clean it off your turtle's shell with a soft brush and/or cloth. Warmth, lighting and nutrients in the water contribute to algae.

[BullDog]

I have a 55 gallon tank, running a Fluval 404 (meant for a 70 gallon tank), with my RES Jughead (who used to be Veronica)

!

I agree with Andrew and Marisa. Sounds like algae. It's nothing to be concerned about. It can be cleaned off off the turtle's shell with a soft cloth or toothbrush (a clean one, of course). Sunlight and having the uvb light on too long can contribute to this problem.