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I had always had an air pump and bubbler hooked up in my turtle's tank but i recently moved it to a new tank i set up for the giant goldfish that had previously been living with him. I was wondering how imporant aeration is for a turtle tank? I know he's not breathing the water like fish do but i also know that it's important to have oxygenated water for the beneficial bacteria in the filter. I guess my question is, should i buy another air pump and whatnot for Turtley's tank or is it ok to not have one?

Not necessary to have a bubbler in a turtle tank. Turtles are much more dirty animals than fish so changing water is going to be more necessary than it would be for the fish which are more sensitive to the changes in ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels.

Point is, keep turt clean with regular water changes & regular filter cleaning/maintenance and you have nothing to worry about.

Partial water changes in between cleanings will help add air to the water.

I use a siphon vaccum type thing about 3 times a week to clean and change some of the water and a battery vaccum that doesnt remove any water after i feed him on his pellet days (he loves pellet days!) so i'm not worried about his water quality too much. I also have a pretty big filter for the size tank he's in. I just wasn't sure if it was still necessary to aerate the water for any reason. I'm glad it's not, his tank is much more peaceful without all those bubbles!

My filter creates a waterfall effect with bubbles. The main benefit of it is that Spot likes to play in the turbulence. He spends a part of every day in the waterfall.

I had a air pump and small bubble wand in Boris' tank and it just freaked him out. I had originally put it in there to help with some of the live plants that are still alive and un-chewed(miraciously!). It only lasted 2 days though. I don't think it's a problem not having one.

BTW Oct8, where in Baltimore are you from? I'm originally from Highlandtown or Hollin' town

I'm in north Baltimore, off of Loch Raven parkway. It's barely Baltimore though, i'm closer to downtown Towson than i am to the inner harbor.

Right on, I lived in the Loch Raven Village apartments for a little while.

Take Care!