General Care Discussion :: Algae?

[greerman29]

I just recently got my turtles probably a month ago and recently I've been noticing that the plastic cave rock that I use for a basking area is growing some green and brown stuff on it under the water. I figure it's algae. I have A few anacharis plants and a couple minnows the turtles haven't eaten yet.

Is the algae bad? can you stop it from growing? and is it worth it to try and clean it whenever it appears or when you do a water change? and if it is worth it, what's the easiest way?

thanks

[adam85491]

I just noticed algae for the first time today. It's on the dock where the ramp is in the water and on the dragon I have in there. It is kind of like a green and red fur and didn't seem to come off too easily. I was wondering what to do about it as well.

[greerman29]

also, what about the algae killing stuff they sell at pet stores or algae eating fish (my turtles are small so I dunno if they'd be able to eat a bigger fish)?

[RunninWideOpen]

i've had the algae growing on my basking dock too. if i clean it every week to two weeks it seems to come off really easy with a toothbrush and warm water. it probably depends on what material the basking platform is made of as to how easy it comes off though.

[DavidY]

Algae isn't harmful to the turtles and can actually benefit a little by feeding off of the turtle's waste and providing some oxygen, but it is usually not very attractive. The best way to clean it is to do like tohmit said, take it out of the tank and scrub it under some warm running water. If you really want to make it squeaky clean you could soak it in a mild bleach solution, then scrub it, but make sure to rinse and soak it in fresh water several times until there is no chorine smell. That's going overboard in my opinion.

To prevent it from growing requires pristine water conditions, meaning no ammonia, no nitrite and minimal nitrates. Also do not put your lights over the water area. Algae needs light to grow.

If you can get live plants to grow in your water, they will compete with the algae for nutrients, helping to keep it under control as well as keep the water clean.

I personally would avoid using any chemical algae killer. The algae eating fish is probably a good idea since your turtles are small. But that might not work in the long term (turtles grow, eat fish...).

[aeo]

Here is the cure that I use:
- feed your RES in different tank to keep the water clean
- have your light on in less time ( 10-12 hours max ), turn off at night
- use salt ( 1% max )

[adam85491]

My turtles do not eat as well out of the tank.

[marisa]

I agree with DavidY--- the green algae isn't harmful. I've got it in my turtles' tanks, on the edges of their basking areas and on some of their rocks. I just leave it as long as it's staying in one place---it can give the tank a more natural look as well. And I personally wouldn't use chemicals to remove it.

Light, warmth, and nutrients in the water all help contribute to algae forming. If the temps are on the high side and the length of time you have the lights on is over 12 hours, you could lower both a bit. Partial water changes will help dilute the nutrients in the water and work against the formation of algae as well.

[jridge]

I control my algae in a number of ways....

First and foremost, I feed Sam in a separate container....At first he didn't eat much but has become very used to the habit and actually (I think) looks forward to it.....

Second, I limit my day lights to no more than 10 hours a day.....I also found that if I changed my "normal" 60 watt incandescent to a "blue" or "daylight" bulb, that the color temperature helped to limit the algae growth.....T Rex sells the "blue" bulbs in different wattages...(LINK) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 006+113030

Thirdly, I faithfully do a 90% water change once a week......I clean the filter pads (I have a Fluval Internal) every other water change......

Fourth, make sure that no natural sunlight hits the tank at any point during the day....

Following these suggestions has given me (and Sam) a clean home.....All I usually do is wipe down his ramp and the aquarium glass during the water changes......Hope this helps

[DavidY]

That's excellent advice. The color temperature of the light plays a big part in the growth of algae. They seem to prefer the middle to lower end (warmer) of the light spectrum. Also the large water change helps to remove most of the nitrates which is the algae's fertilizer. Nice job!