General Care Discussion :: Exo-Terra Biotize?

[SebastianMillhouse]

I found this at PetCo and thought it might me good for my turtle, considering the mess it makes!

Before I use it, would you guys suggest it, or not?
And if I do, can use it along with ReptiSafe or will the two chemicals interact in some way?

[grey goose]

I tried it awhile ago.....made my filter sponges all muddy. Yuck. I've heard of some people having success with it tho'.

[octpusgirl8]

I used it for a little while, nothing bad happened, but i didn't notice any difference in the mess (i vaccum the tank everyday so i guess there was no time for it to do its thing), so i stopped using it.

[SpotsMama]

Isn't biotize just something people use when they are first breaking in a new filter and tank and want to jump start the bio filter? I don't think it's needed after the bio filter is established. I used it when I first got my tank and filter but not since then.

What I use is Turtle Clean by Nutrifin. It's a product that breaks down turtle solid waste so it goes into the filter easier. Not everybody on the forum likes it, though.

[bubblestheturtle]

i have been useing biotize and i dont think i really like it. i used is because mny turtles started eating their poop and i didnt like it. i think is has been making my filter clog and ive been getting outbreaks of algea. i agree with spots mama, only use it once. unless you dont have biomedia and do a complete tank water change. otherwise you may have a population explosion.

why do people not like turtle clean spots mama?

[grey goose]

It's a waste degrader.....it does break up the poop, but it also made my sponges all nasty.

[SpotsMama]

Turtle Clean doesn't seem to make my sponges dirty.

Of course, these days I'm vacuuming every day. Spot seems to have outgrown his taste for poop and there aren't little minnow poop-eaters in there any more.

[octpusgirl8]

Oh man my little vaccum died the other day, i ordered a new one but untill then i've been using the siphon vaccum and it is such a hassle It isn't strong enough to pick up the poops and then i have to do my roomates' dirty dishes so that i can empty it in the sink, then i gotta disinfect the sink, and warm up the tap water i have to put in to replace the water i siphoned out...ugh i cannot wait for my new Mr. Cleaner to come!

[SpotsMama]

Try a turkey baster. Hint: Get a new one, not the one you use for the turkey!

It's not as good as the little vacuum cleaners but it's better than a manual syphon.

Also, a fish net works pretty well too.

[octpusgirl8]

yeah i know...i just miss Mr. Cleaner. He'll be back soon though