General Care Discussion :: green water

[Casserdoodles]

Hello everyone...

Edwin and Simon seem to be doing fine...but I've been having a problem with their water/tank. I changed their water less than two days ago, and it's already turned extremely green and cloudy. Also, a green algae-type growth has been totally coating everything in the tank.

I use tap water with Exo-Terra "Aquatize" water conditioner and sometimes some Nutrafin "Turtle Clean" (a biological waste reducer). I also have a filter...it's called a "Reptofilter", and I changed the filter cartridge almost two weeks ago (according to the filter's instructions I should change it about once a month).

Does anybody know why I can't keep their water clear? I did a bit of reading on this site and the most likely-sounding thing was that the water isn't oxygenated enough...does that sound like it's the case? If so, how can I fix it?

Thanks...

Cassie

[Jessy Loves Torti!]

a few reasons.

prolly your filter isnt as good as you think it is. youre turtles produce ALOT of waste, and with 2 youre going to need quadruple the filter size. for example, if you have a 20 gallon tank you will need a filter made for 80 gallons, or around that. youre filter cannot keep up with their waste load, causing an algae bloom.

another reason could be because of youre lighting. i dont really know how to fix this, because i had the same problem. the way i fixed it was by turning off the light.... but the light causes alage to grow. one way to fix it, (depending on youre filter) is to get some duckweed. duckweed is a plant that turtles just LOVE to munch on. it also covers the top of the water, blocking out the light- but youre turtles still get their basking light.

i hope i could help! =]

[kikicool]

I had this problem recently, too. I'd had them for almost a year, and suddenly the tank started clouding, even right after I cleaned it! Within 2-3 days. I couldn't even see through the water. GRRR. THEN.... I bought Algae Destroyer Advanced. That's the name of the product. I used a teaspoon for a 55 gallon tank. Within hours, I noticed it looked clearer. I thought it couldn't work that soon, must be my imagination. The next morning, it looked like I had just cleaned it! Totally amazing! And it STAYED that way till my normally scheduled monthly full cleaning.

My thoughts are that it happened for one or both of two reasons--and others can feel free to correct me if I'm totally wrong

1. The tank is NEXT to, but not in front of, a window. The change of season (I got them late spring, early summer last year) changed the angle of the sun; now perhaps the sun actually hits the tank through the window at certain times? Adding more light to it? This is one thought, not sure if it's right, but seems possible to me.

2. When I feed them lettuce and other veggies, the mess often sticks around the filter bottom and I have to clean it out (which is so hard, because as soon as I turn off the filter, all the mess stops sticking and the tank is then full of it. Sigh.) But I wondered if all the green at the bottom of the filter was sort of a breeding ground for algae, which then moved UP the filter. So the water coming out might have been worse than what was already in it? Now I try to clean the bottom thingie within about 10 minutes of when they eat. But I usually leave the lettuce clipped most of the day, so it's hard.

Anyhoo. I recommend the Algae Destroyer Advanced! Of course, this is after you try and fix other possible causes. Good luck!

[Jessy Loves Torti!]

that stuff is soooooooooo bad for your tank and fish! i mean, sometimes stuff like that can cause cancer- id never use it. its pretty harmful to everything.

i think you may have something with the angle of the sun changing, i dunno =]

[DavidY]

You should try to reduce the amount of light that hits the water. Focus the basking lights on the basking platform and try to shade it from the water. Then do a major water change like 90-95%. Gently rinse out the filter sponge and replace the carbon (you don't want to completely change everything since that will remove all of the beneficial bacteria and will cause the tank to go through a startup cycle again).

[marisa]

What's the temp of the water?

Doing partial water changes once you get it under control will help dilute the nutrients in the water and help prevent it from coming back as fast.

[kikicool]

that stuff is soooooooooo bad for your tank and fish! i mean, sometimes stuff like that can cause cancer- id never use it. its pretty harmful to everything.

Really? I had no idea! Wouldn't they have to say something like that on the label? Have you read articles about this? If so, do you have links? I'd be interested in learning more. Ach!

[megcornell]

This is the "more information" provided by drfostersmith.com

Algae Destroyer Advanced Liquid

Directions for Use:
It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.

Add 1 teaspoonful (5 ml) for each 50 US gallons (189 L) of aquarium water. Repeat dose every three days until algae is controlled. Siphon or scrape any dead algae from aquarium. Once algal growth is under control, add one dose per week. Weekly doses of Algae Destroyer Advanced will control algal growth and help reduce aquarium maintenance.

CAUTION: Do not use Algae Destroyer Advanced with aquariums housing freshwater crustaceans including: shrimp, crabs, and lobsters.

Active Ingredients:
Poly(oxyethelene(dimethyliminio)ethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene dichloride): 4.50%
Other Ingredients: 95.50%

Storage and Disposal: DO NOT contaminate water or feed. DO NOT reuse empty bottle. Rinse thoroughly before discarding in trash.

NOTE: Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer.

I wouldn't use it with my turtle personally. It sounds rather damaging ecologically.

[industrial_girl_2000]

YIKES, Meg. Thanks for posting that!

Casser - what kind of filter do you have? What size tank? Is the tank near a window? Do you use charcoal in the filter?

[Jessy Loves Torti!]

that stuff, or things like it, is also known to cause cancer.....