General Care Discussion :: Just some general questions

[waterdolphin777]

So, Rushell's been doing fine. He's been growing a bit and is very active. Extremely cute when he swims up and begs every time I walk by. But I've noticed that my tank is getting a fair amount of algae growth now. I don't own a filter as of yet, so I've basically been vacuuming the tank out with a tube every week or so? Is the algae something I have to worry about?

Oh, and unrelated question. I bought some cuttlebone for him, but he really doesn't touch it. How should I entice him?

[steve]

Where is the algae growing? On the sides of tank, basking area, silicone? Some people have said they soaked the cuttlebone in tuna fish water though I have not tried that before.

[waterdolphin777]

Basically everywhere? Like, I have a bunch of rocks for the basking area, and its on the sides and bottom of the tank too. Its not completely coated or anything, but its a fair amount. I've been cleaning up a bit every time I change the water.

[SquidSox]

Until u can get good filtration try getting one of those tank scrubbers they have magnetic ones at pet stores for like ten bucks they work pretty well. Also make sure you clean your turtles shell as it to will grow algae. A little bit of algae is nothing serious its natural for it to grow in the water but don't let it get out of control. I would say get filtration asap and make sure you scrub everything free of algae when you do. Also if you seriously scrub all the algea away from rocks and decorations when u clean and get a good glass tank cleaner like I mentioned above it won't collect as fast

[waterdolphin777]

Ok, sounds good. Thanks

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Leave the cuttlebone in there he will soon like it if not oh well Ranger use to hate it now likes it but I don't give him much cause he seems to chomp so hard on it everything flies out of his mouth and into the water.