General Care Discussion :: Something I can add to the water to break down turtle poop?

[CrossKnight]

I sometimes read about some people who add a tablet or some kind of solution into the water which would help keep the water clean and/or break down and dissolve turtle poop. Can someone give me the exact name of the products please.

Also I have seen theses doctor turtle products which are like a big white turtle tablet which is suppose to help the water. Are those any good??

[Hoooneylynn]

I use Exo Terra Biotize Waste Degrader. I have read that those Dr. Turtles arent that beneficial, but I try to find the calcium ones. I have used a couple of those turtles, and my Karlyn attacks them lol... I recommend using a net to scoop out the poop, if it is in one clump and you can actually see it... I know that the poop gets caught in the rocks and breaks up and what not. The product I use is pretty good... but it doesnt get rid of all the poop. I wish there was one that did, EVERYONE would buy it!

[adam85491]

I also use the Exo Terra brand, it comes in a black box and its a liquid dropper. About 8 drops per gallon per the bottle, but I don't use nearly that much.

[CrossKnight]

ok, sounds good. As of now I use a turkey baster to suck up the poop that is caught near the rocks. I'm just tired of having to do that.

[RESCHIU]

I found that my turtle tended to poop after she eats, so I usually take her out of the tank and feed her in a seperate container, and after she poop I put her back, so it gave me less hassle of cleaning the water and tank.

[SpotsMama]

I use "Turtle Clean" by Nutrafin. I guess it works. I don't have piles of turtle droppings on the bottom of my tank.

[steve]

Get a good canister filter loaded with bio media instead of using Turtle Clean or any other waste degrader. If your tank is too small for a canister filter, then do partial water changes. That is far safer and healthier.

[daredevilgirl013]

I use both turtle clean and the biotize. They work wonders. I love them!! I add the turtle clean once a week and the biotize whenever I add water to the tank.

[cprcheetah]

I use the Turtle Clean, it REALLY helps my turtles tank.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Turtle Clean & the Exo Terra Waste degraders are equally awesome, especially if you have an adult slider like mine.

Keep in mind that this does not replace the need for water changes, but it does help keep the water sparkling in between changes.

[diyanahomie]

since my tank is small, i always change the water when its dirty.. but strangely, they like to poop after i changed the water..

[Evelyn]

Hi, I don't add anything to the water, accept for some baking soda at times for the smell. I worry about the baking soda to. My turtle are lager and the poop is Big. I have used the canister fitlers over the years, I found them hard to clean. I like want I have now, tanks made for turtles out side filters. It is a lot of work cleaning three tanks once a week. I do feed my turtles every day and have done so for 16 years. This maybe wrong but I do it.
Evelyn

[marisa]

Your turtles tanks shouldn't smell. How big are your turtles and what size tanks do you have them in? How much water do you have in the tanks? Since they're larger, unless they're in adequate-size tanks and have good filters, I can imagine a smell could develop fairly quickly.

I wouldn't just use baking soda to try to mask the smell, I'd try to find out the source of the smell and correct it. Baking soda, I think, increases the alkalinity of the water (have you ever tested the ph of the water?).

Do you have gravel/small stones in the tanks? If so, it can trap debris and contribute to a smelly tank.

I don't think feeding daily is necessary wrong, depending on what the food is and what size portion you're feeding. Feeding some plant matter every day is fine.

[Evelyn]

Hi,
My turtle are large, 16 years old. I don't have them in a large amount of water. Out side filter, I fed Pretty Pet pellets and have done so for 15 years, I would never buy another brand. I have and do add other foods and pellets.
All tanks have smells even fish tanks, the smell just bothers me, I am sencetive to that smell. Like mold some can smell it others can not.
The water in the tanks looks very clear and clean. I try my best to keep the turtles happy and healthy. Thats why I am here to learn.
Please guys don't send me away in tears.
Evelyn

[SpotsMama]

Hi Evelyn,

I really admire how you've keep your turtles safe and healthy for 16 years! That is quite an accomplishment! Congratulations! And I respect your experience - it's worth a lot.

I have a thought on smells in tanks. Something that can cause it but is invisible is buildups of ammonia and/or nitrites. Even if your tank looks crystal clean these chemicals can build up startlingly fast. It's the job of your bio filter to neutralize these harmful (and smelly) chemicals. If the bio filter's not working or it's not effective because there is too much turtle waste for the volume of water and size of filter, then these smells can build up.

I'm probably saying things you already know, but just in case it helps, do you test your water for these chemicals? It's very easy to do. If the tests show chemical buildup, you might think about how much water you have for your big turtles and the size of your filter(s) and especially the bio filter parts of it.

I'm a novice compared to you, but I recently discovered that keeping a big tank with a big filter clean is enormously easier than keeping a smaller tank and filter clean. I don't really know your setup, so maybe you've already been there.