General Care Discussion :: algae on shell

[BFresh]

I left my boy Raff in the hands of my roommate for a week and when I came back the tank had quite a lot of algae in it and some transfered onto his shell. I took a tooth brush to it but it's seems to be locked on pretty hard, and he seemed to get super pissed while I was scrubbing him so I stopped, anyone know any tips on how to get rid of it?

[Amg81083]

The reason he got upset is because their shells are very sensitive so it probably didn't feel to good!
I would clean the algae from the tank and leave your Raff alone for a bit, do you have any fish or plecos in there that would take it off?
If it really bothers you use a soft toothbrush and try to brush it off again after a few days.

[SpotsMama]

Yes their shells are very sensitive, especially the seams. You might try gently rubbing with a wet paper towel and see if it comes off. If you use a toothbrush, you need to be very gentle.

[blackforce247]

anytime i try to scrub off the red parts on the top side of the shell the turtle starts hissing at me opening its mouth and snapping at the toothbrush. i scratch it off but if i do that with my finger it could just snap at my finger for that which doesnt end pretty by what ive seen with some peoples turtles. i just leave it on there and keep scrubbing when i have the chances

[SpotsMama]

Blackforce247, did you say there are red parts on the top side of your turtle's shell? Has the shell been injured? Can you show a photo?

[1981camaroz28]

I don't see where he said the shell was red but I agree with the rest of them when they say just leave it on there. In the wild they always have it on them plus the next time the turtle sheds it will be gone. That toothbrush thing people say is a bad idea I know I would not like a brush like that on my back. Good luck

Blackforce247, did you say there are red parts on the top side of your turtle's shell? Has the shell been injured? Can you show a photo?

[octpusgirl8]

It's not good to leave algae on a turtle's shell, it can trap water against the shell and keep it from getting good and dry during basking, which is an invitation for fungus and bacteria to take hold. Use a soft toothbrush, and brush them gently to remove it. I know wild turtles live with algae on thier shells sometimes, but wild turtles go through a lot that we would never suject our pets to.

[Bascomb]

Bf-sh -- Clean your tank and all the parts with soap and water. Your turtle's carapace can be cleaned off with warm water and kithchen salt. Make it as salty as possible and brush it on with a soft tooth rush and let it dry for a few minutes. That should do it. Algae is hard to get rid of. Also a larger filter will help. Reduce any sun light and shorten the light cycle in your tank. b.

[SpotsMama]

anytime i try to scrub off the red parts on the top side of the shell the turtle starts hissing at me opening its mouth and snapping at the toothbrush.

Here's where blackforce mentioned red parts on the shell.

I wouldn't recommend soap for cleaning things that go in the tank because it's hard to get the soap off and often it leaves a residue. Vinegar is good for cleaning and is a mild disinfectant. Dilute bleach is also a good cleaner and excellent disinfectant but you have to be real careful to wash it all off. It's usually recommended that you let whatever's been washed with bleach air dry until any bleach smell is gone.

[1981camaroz28]

20 years now I never used soap on any tank. To remove Algae just use a razor blade or buy a Algae scraper from the pet store.

[Callie]

Odd, I only once (at the beginning) had an algae explosion in my tank, and it went away in 3 days flat... when I added my Chinese/golden Algae Eater from my other tank. He's even kind enough to occasionally maintain my hatchling's shell.

[Bascomb]

Spot - Ma -- I forgot to mention the rinsing part. Thanks, b.

[Take-One]

Odd, I only once (at the beginning) had an algae explosion in my tank, and it went away in 3 days flat... when I added my Chinese/golden Algae Eater from my other tank. He's even kind enough to occasionally maintain my hatchling's shell.

Youre turtle may eat it one day.

[taylor_a]

20 years now I never used soap on any tank. To remove Algae just use a razor blade or buy a Algae scraper from the pet store.

I'd be really wary of using a razor blade, especially on a bigger turtle where their quick movements could be a little more surprising! I wouldn't want to end up slipping and slicing into some scutes.

But, as I'm a new turtle owner and you've owned one for 20 years....you might know better.

[steve]

He's referring to cleaning a glass tank, not the shell of a turtle. In any situation, I prefer to have my turtles out when I'm cleaning their tank or decorations.