Feeding and Nutrition :: Will a turtle eat Green Hair Algea?

[GoGoCharlie]

Im trying to find a fast growing and sturdy plant to assist with the filtraton of my tank as well as meet my RES's veggie requirements.

Someone recently suggested introducing a controlled green hair algea bloom. Will a RES eat that? If so will it fill its veggie needs?

I have had little to no success so far with plants. Either skippy eats them faster then they can grow (duckweed), tears them to shreds without eating a bit (Anubias Nana), or both. I cant afford to run a seperate grow tank, i cant afford the frequent purchasing, and i cant afford an optimal filter. On top of that, my house runs on fuses still and its a constant task to limit active power use.

Im really grasping at straws here.

My tank currently has just small rocks in it. I plan on adding sand and some larger rocks that could provide abundant growing space. In fact im sure i could have some rocks "seeded" for free with the stuff at my local aquarium store. A few of the tanks there are kept in bloom to feed the fish that they sell to eat the algea.

I know it can be a problem in tanks so i want to ensure the turtle will eat it before i add more then my placo can manage.

[GoGoCharlie]

P.S. i dont think the turtle will be at risk of algea growth on her, isnt uv light supposed to kill algea? She basks under one for hours every day.

[steve]

I haven't come across any info of RES eating just a diet of that stuff. Though variety is a key aspect in any diet, so I wouldn't rely on it.

Why does it have to be aquatic plants? Have you tried using fresh leafy greens? I buy a head of red leaf once a week to give my two RES.

I also have a separate tank (10 gallon) that has some anarchis and snails. There's no filtration, UV light, heater and it does well.

[marisa]

They can eat it (mine did without any ill effects), but there's no guarantee that a turtle will eat it consistently enough so that it would be controlled. It will not by itself fulfill your turtle's veggie needs.