redearslider.com

I noticed a few days ago that Bowser smelled pretty bad. This is because the whole tank smelled funky from the filter sponges needing to be changed (new ones are being shipped). I got a soft bristled toothbrush and some plain water, put on my leather gloves (sharp claws!), and started gently scrubbing her shell. Let me say that Bowser HATES having her shell cleaned. She was trying to bite me the whole time. Afterward she smelled much better, but she's going to need another "bath" soon.
Any tips on what to use? Any turtle-safe solution to clean her with? Or is plain water the best thing?

You can't go wrong with straight water.

I second straight water. If her shell is in good shape, you might want to give her a good wipe too. If you want to use something stronger and as long as you are holding her (not soaking - this is not the be ingested), you can dilute some betadine or hibiclens and scrub with that. If she goes right back into the tank, you need to rinse then wipe that stuff off first. If she's going to be dry docked, you can leave the betadine solution on.

I'm always so afraid of doing this to my hatchlings. I feel like I'd break them if I tried. I usually just take them out and pet their shell with my pointer finger.
can I scrub turtles with a shell length of 2"?

ATC: Get a toothbrush with super soft bristles and be very gentle. They should be fine.

Anyway, my fiance (Bower's daddy) cleaned the tank and everything in it yesterday while I was at work and even after I got home. He worked on it for over 4 hours. The filter hoses were gunky and everything smelled rotten. He even gave Bowser a little bath with water and a washcloth. Then he held her and watched cartoons with her (she loves when he does that, yet can't stand for me to hold her at all!). Everything smells good now!

Ashley wrote:ATC: Get a toothbrush with super soft bristles and be very gentle. They should be fine.

Anyway, my fiance (Bower's daddy) cleaned the tank and everything in it yesterday while I was at work and even after I got home. He worked on it for over 4 hours. The filter hoses were gunky and everything smelled rotten. He even gave Bowser a little bath with water and a washcloth. Then he held her and watched cartoons with her (she loves when he does that, yet can't stand for me to hold her at all!). Everything smells good now!

Thats so cute!

yay for not stinky turtles!
also I love that bowser likes cartoons. that's adorable.

Ok, I have several questions that I would like to condense into one post...

- The water tends to smell "funky" quite often. Anything we can do about the odor? We're netting out any uneaten food or poop (LOL...uneaten poop...Bowser helps us out with cleaning that!).

- We bought some fizzy tabs to add to the water that is supposed to really clean the tank and remove odor.
We wouldn't have Bowser in the tank while we used it, but is it ok to use for her tank? My logic is that if it's safe for fish tanks then it's safe for a turtle tank.

- Filer media. Do we *have* to buy the expensive, $75-every-three-month, media? Or is there a cheaper way? I've heard of people using (new) cleaning sponges and mesh dish scrub pads in their filters. Would this be harmful or just a smart way of saving money? I hate to have to spend SO much money so often on media.

Bowser is growing. FAST. She's over 7 inches now and has outgrown her 55 gallon tank that we bought in August. I'm really not wanting to buy the "big" tank just yet as I'm saving any extra money for my wedding next year (yup, got engaged last month! )
Looks like I'm going to have to buy it though....water quality is suffering!

Congrats on the engagement!

What's the water change/filter cleaning schedule like? How's the water aeration? How often does it come? Does it go away by itself?

What's the name of the fizzy tabs?

What kind of filter media do you have? I don't know anyone who replaces it that often (carbon being the exception).

Good luck with the upgrade, a 120 gallon would be a great wedding present

We do a partial water change every week (at least 20%).
We now take the filter apart once a month and clean out any gunk in the hoses.
I'll have to check on the name of the fizzy tabs...too lazy now to go look. LOL

As far as filter media, we use Fluval BioMax, polishing pads, carbon (typically), sponge inserts (the ones that come with the filter).

And yeah, we should see if Petco would let us create a wedding registry. LOL
Bowser is going to need her own room afterall!

You can use Purigen instead of carbon and the sponge inserts could just be hosed down.

The fizzy tabs are Tetra brand water clarifier tabs.

Are you suppose to give them a bath even if they dont smell? I never have :/

Isn't their life one big bath? Lol sorry, I don't think it's necessary unless there's some kinda crud on the shell or something...

Thats what I was thinking lol..they always have clean water and I have never had any kind of odor problems or crud of any kind.. I hope I am not neglecting them lol