Habitat - Indoor :: Cleaning

[adam85491]

As I prepare for a large rubbermaid container with the fixings, I have read that I need to change the water partially every week and completely once a month. This seems rather difficult and I was wondering how you guys do it, especially when some of you have those huge 150 gallon tanks!

[cam722]

adam... I know you are new here and you're only 15, but this forum has a wonderful feature.. it's called SEARCH!!! There are a number of topics regarding this, so please do some research for yourself. Although we don't mind helping you out with some things, we shouldn't have to do everything for you.

You can start with this topic for instance.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... t=cleaning

[adam85491]

[d0eb0y]

Adam what i do with my rubbermaid is take my RES out and all the "fixings" as you say and put norman in a bowl wit some water and a little food for the time being. Put all the other stuff on a garbage bag to let it dry off and i have a large container that i use to scoop water out of the tank until it gets to a light enuff point for me to just carry it to the toilet bowl for dumping. Than i clean it out real good. I also clean all the other items off (dock, filter, rocks, plants..etc.). I than clean out my container good and start taking trips back and forth from the sink to the rubbermaid and filling it up. Be sure to leave any heater unplugged but still in the water for about 15 minutes before taking it out. And than reverse that before turning it back on. Also check water temp before putting your RES back into water that may be too hot/cold. I may have missed a few steps but im sure you get the idea. It seems like a lot of work, but only once a month isnt that bad as long as your doing partial changed week to week like i do. If u really think about it its not a lot to do if u want your RES to be happy and in a clean environment.

YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN SPOON FED! LOL

Take care an goodluck.

[steve]

As I prepare for a large rubbermaid container with the fixings, I have read that I need to change the water partially every week and completely once a month. This seems rather difficult and I was wondering how you guys do it, especially when some of you have those huge 150 gallon tanks!

The bigger the tank, the less frequent you will have to do your water changes. Turtles can be a lot of work... be prepared.

[adam85491]

Adam what i do with my rubbermaid is take my RES out and all the "fixings" as you say and put norman in a bowl wit some water and a little food for the time being. Put all the other stuff on a garbage bag to let it dry off and i have a large container that i use to scoop water out of the tank until it gets to a light enuff point for me to just carry it to the toilet bowl for dumping. Than i clean it out real good. I also clean all the other items off (dock, filter, rocks, plants..etc.). I than clean out my container good and start taking trips back and forth from the sink to the rubbermaid and filling it up. Be sure to leave any heater unplugged but still in the water for about 15 minutes before taking it out. And than reverse that before turning it back on. Also check water temp before putting your RES back into water that may be too hot/cold. I may have missed a few steps but im sure you get the idea. It seems like a lot of work, but only once a month isnt that bad as long as your doing partial changed week to week like i do. If u really think about it its not a lot to do if u want your RES to be happy and in a clean environment.

YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN SPOON FED! LOL

Take care an goodluck.

It does sound like a lot of work, but you make it seem easy, thanks.

[SpotsMama]

I've used basically the same system for the last two tanks. I've got a 50 foot Python that I use like a syphon with a really long tube. I use it to drain the water out of the tank into the back yard. Then, if I need to replace a lot of water, I run a garden hose in from the back yard and use it to fill the tank. If I'm just replacing a small amount of water after a partial water change, I use buckets.

If I'm just syphoning out and replacing a small amount of water I leave Spot in the tank. If I'm replacing a lot, I move him to a big rubber tube and cover the tub with a towel so it's dark and he'll go to sleep.

I use the syphon to pick up "junk" from the bottom of the tank.

When I had a small tank, it would get so disgusting between cleanings that I felt the need to disinfect every time I cleaned. With the big one, though, and the nice filter, the water stays clear and smells decent so I don't disinfect.

[Muirner]

I have a 55gal and when my turtles were in there, i'd use a fish tank syphon to get water out on a weekly basis, i only have about 35 gal of water, and i'd pull out about 5 or so gallons. This would just go into a bucket and down the toilet. That would pick up the large things on the bottom.

TO fill it, for now i use 1 gallon jugs, and i get one of my brothers to help me out haha, they are pretty good because they enjoy the turtles, now its just finding one that i'd like