General Care Discussion :: Water Changes

[Tomny912]

Ok I have a question. I have been raising topical fish for years. I have been assuming that since RES's, are shall we say water based, that the same principles of water quality for the fish would be the same as for the RESs. I see on the site here people talking about 50%, 80%, and 100% water changes. Only under extreme condition would you ever do a 50% or more water change for fish. Normally it would be a 25% change once a week. Changing to much water will throw the tank cycling off and un-balance the good bacteria and the bad in both the filter and the gravel. With my filtering system the water is always crystal clear. So are water changes different for turtles? Also do you guy's put air stones in with your turtles ... I have added some only to keep the duck weed away from the basking platform otherwise the RES's climb out with a coat of duck weed.

[octpusgirl8]

I personally never do complete or even 50% water changes, i just do maybe 25% every week or two. I think if people don't have a big enough filter for their tank it becomes necessary to do bigger/more frequent water changes. I have a few air stones in my tank to help keep the water agitated and provide O2 for the good bacteria in my filter, but they aren't a necessity in a turtle tank. One thing, i see you mentioned gravel? Turtles will sometimes eat the gravel and become impacted, leading to huge vet bills/death. You would think they'd be smart enough not to eat something that could kill them, but apparently not. I see that your turtle tank is planted, so it would be a big change to get rid of the gravel but you really ought to think about it.

[Tomny912]

I guess I should not have used the word gravel in the sense of those pretty color gravel from pet land. The substrate I'm using is rather large and looks more like pieces or chips of clay pots or bricks. At least now it won't fit in their mouths. Thank you octusgirl.

[octpusgirl8]

As long as it won't fit in thier mouths it's cool, just keep an eye on it. How does it work with a turtle in a planted tank? Mine would destroy it in a matter of hours!

[mikee]

T-912 When considering turtles you will need a much larger filter/pump. When purchasing a filter/pump you will have to think in terms of gph. Gallon Per Hour. The amount of water you have in the tank should be exchanged at least 5 time per hour. Turtles doo a lot more and the filter for your fish will not be enough. I would suggest that you use a canister as it is easy to clean and it is out of the way. It can sit on the floor on in a cabinet below.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I have an adult RES who has large poop (especially when she eats a lot of veggies like lettuce). The filter I have for her is a Fluval 4+ submersible, which isn't very big compared to some of the people on this board who have the external canister filters, but it works for her. I do 100% water changes every 4 weeks to make sure the water stays clean & to ensure no buildup of toxins. I also don't feed her in the tank (feed in a separate laundry pan of water). This helps keep the water clean & sweet smelling. Every water change, I also add some enzyme cleaner to help establish friendly bacteria in the tank. Her tank is always very clear & I haven't had any problems.

The only fish pet I had was a Betta, and I did 50% water changes for him about twice a week since I didn't have any filter for him. He lived 3 yrs. Not bad for a Betta....

[marisa]

Depending on the tank (size and if multiple turtles are in it), I try to do about a 30% water change weekly. If I can't do a partial change weekly, I'll do a 80-90% change depending on what testing the water (for ammonia, nitrite, but mainly nitrate tells me) about every three weeks.

[mikee]

industrial_girl_2000 If the submersible does the job, that is great. However, having to make a 100% change every 4 weeks tells me something. How many gallons per hour does your filter put out? If your testing tells you that the nitrites and or ammonia is too high, you may want to rethink that. I just do a 50% every few weeks depending on these tests. I am not a vet: just a few years experience. Good Luck!!

[SpotsMama]

My filter (XP3) deals effectively with ammonia and nitrites. I change water to get rid of nitrate. Since I don't have pretty aquatic plants growing in the tank (can't - Spot rips them to pieces) if I don't get rid of the nitrate I'd be looking at a green tank full of algae.

[mikee]

S Mama -- Yep!! The 4+ pumps 260 gallons per hour and the XP3 pumps 350 gallons per hour. That extra 90 gallons per hour makes a difference. The more water and the larger filter media the better.

[industrial_girl_2000]

industrial_girl_2000 If the submersible does the job, that is great. However, having to make a 100% change every 4 weeks tells me something. How many gallons per hour does your filter put out? If your testing tells you that the nitrites and or ammonia is too high, you may want to rethink that. I just do a 50% every few weeks depending on these tests. I am not a vet: just a few years experience. Good Luck!!

Not sure how many gallons the filter puts out. And honestly, I only do 100% every 4 weeks just because I felt that I should (to keep toxins from building up in the water & because I have to clean out all the shed skin from the filter). The water temp is only 76, but she still sheds a lot of skin. She's always been this way.

I know I should have a canister filter, but at the time when I upgraded her tank last year to her current 90 gallon, I couldn't afford it since I also upgraded her UVB lamp & went to a visitherm heater. $1000 later, she's doing a lot better. Eventually I will go to a canister filter but for now, the fluval seems to be doing the trick.

[mikee]

In dust girl - I do understand all too much. I rescued a couple of yellow bellies (free) and the cost was considerable for the equipment. The point that I was trying to make, was that if your filter is operating well it is not necessary to change the water so much. Your test kit should verify that. If the only way for you to keep your turtles healthy is to change the water, by all means, change it. OK!! -- This horse is dead!!