General Care Discussion :: i feel like a bad owner

[steamd rice]

i'll enclose some pics so you can see what i mean. to me it looks like theres discoloration on the shell. its looks more of a yellowish hue now. i dont know if its becuase of the cold as i live in utah and even inside it gets kinda cold. i can't keep the water clean for the life of me. im changing filter bags every 2 weeks or so with all the debris in the tank it just burns through the filter. i know i need a bigger tank and filter but i hope to building my own tank/tub and filter and selling off my older stuff. i also dont know whats goin on with her shell. its fanning out towards her back end and i've nevver seen that before, it also looks like its old scutes, and i dont remember her shedding ive had her since the beginning of july and ive never seen shedding. it also seems to be that she doesnt like me. whenever i come close to the tank she "digs" at the tank and try to snap my finger off. i would like to know if there are any serious problems with my turtle and also anything i can do until i finish my build. here is also a video [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD4mC_TodtY[/youtube]

[meltedspork]

Not sure what kind of filter that is but it's not strong enough for a turtle tank... You need a filter rated 3x the size of the tank for turtles (so for a 20 gallon tank you need a filter rated for a 60 gallon tank). Also internal filters like that one do not have biological media in them which is (in my opinion) essential for clean/clear water. If you upgrade your tank I would highly suggest a canister filter.

[meltedspork]

Oh also their shells get darker as they age so that is normal... just looks like she needs a good shed.

[steamd rice]

Oh also their shells get darker as they age so that is normal... just looks like she needs a good shed.

i agree with the shed. but can they really darken up that much in only a 3 month span? also what are the differances between biological vs. non biological filters. like i said i plan on building my own set up soon so i would like to absorb as much info as i can

[meltedspork]

I've seen other pictures of turtles whose shells darken in a short span of time...but I don't know what is the "normal" span of time for the shells to go from the light green color of young turtles to the darker color of more mature turtles.

A good filter will have three components: mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. Examples of mechanical filtration are foam pads, polishing pads, pre-filter pellets, etc... they trap large debris. Examples of chemical filtration are carbon and ammonia remover... basically any chemicals that treat the water for various things. Examples of biological media are bio rings or bio balls... they grow beneficial bacteria that help to break down waste in the water.

[steamd rice]

i understand now. it has the mechanical and and chemical but no biological. are the bio rings and balls made of a certain compound or is it just a "shelter" for the bacteria to grow instead of in the water, on the turtle, and things of that nature?

[sagoy]

More likely just a shelter, but the bioballs/ceramic rings, etc provide a very huge difference in surface area. A lot more than just what can grown in the tank itself, the plants, substrate, etc... I might be wrong, but that's what I think it is.

You don't need the chemical filtration always. You can change that to biological, I think.

[steamd rice]

More likely just a shelter, but the bioballs/ceramic rings, etc provide a very huge difference in surface area. A lot more than just what can grown in the tank itself, the plants, substrate, etc... I might be wrong, but that's what I think it is.

You don't need the chemical filtration always. You can change that to biological, I think.

i already have the chemical but ive been told biological is really great for clear waters and not having to change water and filter so often

[steamd rice]

do you think a 50% or 25% water change might help a little. or will it take out to much of that bacteria and then just get murky again

[steve]

Squishy does look like she needs to shed. How long have you had her? What's the diet like?

[sagoy]

do you think a 50% or 25% water change might help a little. or will it take out to much of that bacteria and then just get murky again

I do a 30% water change weekly. Water gets a bit murky if I don't do it weekly, since in my tank I have two turtles, three angelfishes, 4 guppies, 2 swordtails and 2 goldfishes.

[steamd rice]

Squishy does look like she needs to shed. How long have you had her? What's the diet like?

ive had her since i i joined the forum, so i got her early in july. her shell looked pretty normal when i got her. diet is pellets in the morning when i wake up and lettuce around 4 or 5 ish. occasionally throw in a couple red shrimp

[steamd rice]

do you think a 50% or 25% water change might help a little. or will it take out to much of that bacteria and then just get murky again

I do a 30% water change weekly. Water gets a bit murky if I don't do it weekly, since in my tank I have two turtles, three angelfishes, 4 guppies, 2 swordtails and 2 goldfishes.

i just have the one turtle and its murky...

[sagoy]

My filters aren't the big canister filters, but I have an eheim H.O.T. filter (mechanical), and a Rio internal filter (mechanical and biological). And aside from weekly water changes, I also get a hose to suck of all the poo and stuff from the bottom of the tank. A lot of work, yeah.

[steamd rice]

My filters aren't the big canister filters, but I have an eheim H.O.T. filter (mechanical), and a Rio internal filter (mechanical and biological). And aside from weekly water changes, I also get a hose to suck of all the poo and stuff from the bottom of the tank. A lot of work, yeah.

i plan on making my own filters soon. i would like to create my whole new setup with a new tank/tub, DIY filters, and i would like to create my own basking areas and little turtle toys to put in the tank :3