General Care Discussion :: Need help

[Tegano]

Just got a 40 gallon aquarim for my yellow belly slider. I have 60watt basketing light , turtle dock, turle log, and a water pump reporman up to 55 gallon. I just notice a white bubble looking foam around my dock and water pump. Is it bad

[SquidSox]

I was have the same type of thing when I first got mine....completely empty the tank dry dock you turtle for about an hr wash your tank with soap and water then rise with hot water then rinse with cold water wipe it dry. Rinse and wipe al decoration and clean all subtrate. Make sure your filters sponges are clean and get some turtle safe I think that's what its called it makes sink water cleaner and safer for turtles u can get it at walmart comes in a green bottle. Follow the directions after you have flled the tank back up. Move the tank away from the window if its near one ane don't feed him in the tank anymore I your doing so...hope this helps

[Love of Animals]

If you put chemicals in to dechlorinate and make the water "safe", it might cause a foaming. Try not to put chemicals in the tank. Put carbon and if you can purigen in your filter. Carbon will remove chlorine and chloramines to make the water safe, without chemicals. Purigen cleans odors and keeps the water clear. Carbon needs to be replaced at least once a month, maybe more depending on how much you use. Purigen gets renewed when it turns brown. Hopefully, VeipaCray will be along to post the link for purigen. A question for you VeipaCray. Can you use too much carbon? If so, how much is too much?

[SquidSox]

Oh I use the turtle safe once every 3 or 4 water changes I haven't gotten the foamy white stuff since I stopped feedin him in the tank and moved it away from the window :-\

[Tegano]

Ive always fed my turtle in tank. How do they eat out of tank? And I never had this prob until I changef to a 40 gal tank. Im confused. The only thing changed is a new pump. I have a Reptofilter 125 gph three filters in one.

[Love of Animals]

Squidsox, you don't need to put the chemicals that are in turtle safe in the water if you use carbon. Why put chemicals in if you don't need to. I made the same mistake when I first started turtle keeping.

[SquidSox]

I guess that makes sense I say the same thing about my dog idk why I wouldn't think the same way for my turtles

[Tegano]

Its the same type of pump I had before its just bigger.

[Love of Animals]

Tegano, Do you have the water filled all the way? For 40 gallons of water I would get a filter rated for 80 - 100 gallons at least. I would go higher. The ratings on filters are for fish not turtles. For instance I have a 55 gallon filled to the top with a canister filter rated for a 175 gallon tank. You don't really need to buy anything specifically made for turtles they are usually crap. Look around for canister filters. Mine is a Rena XP3. Try to get the biggest filter you can afford. This way when you upgrade your tank you don't have to upgrade your filter.

[PridgNYC]

+1 on the canister filter, if you can afford it, go Fx5, only $220 on amazon. It will be good for any size tank up to about 250 gallons for turtles. (it's rated for 400 gallons for fish)