Habitat - Indoor :: Water, i don't get it! help!

[Kval87]

I've had my turtle for about five months or six months, and since i've had it i do FULL water changes and tank cleaning once a week. It takes me a while but i thought it was worth it. HOWEVER, i've been skimming around the forum and i'm reading about water cycling? I guess i'm doing it all wrong! How often should i do a partial water change? So while i do partial water changes, does the icky stuff on the bottom of the tank stay there? help! I'm so lost on this issue

[tammi]

Paritial water changes every 2 to 4 weeks. Get a aquarium vaccum and clean the icky stuff off the bottom. If you have a good filter there shouldn't be much.

[Kval87]

thanks for your reply tammi. How often should i do a FULL water change? And if i do partial water changes, will i still see some cloudiness?

[Kval87]

i also don't get the water cycling, does someone know a website where i thoroughly explains it?

[tammi]

I only do a full change about once a year. With the partial changes you shouldn't see clouidiness once it has cycled.

[tammi]

You can find the cycling info on any fish site. Its the nitrogen cycle on a tank. Google it.

[tammi]

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm try this one.

[Kval87]

thanks tammi!

[vear]

When I do partial water changes I'll syphon whatever is on the floor of the tank too. I've never seen any cloudiness, and have never done a full water change. I've had the tank for about 3months.

[BullDog]

What size is your tank? A small tank with a big turtle would probably need cleaning that often, but a bigger tank with a proper filter should need less frequent cleanings.

I've got a 75 and 90 gallon tanks, and I do a partial water change (usually 20-50%) once every 2-3 weeks. I very rarely do a full water change, once or twice a year at most.