How to Clean Your Turtle Tank

With any pet,a major task is keeping their environment clean and aquatic turtles are no different. Actually, cleaning an aquatic turtle tank it is both more important and more difficult than taking care of almost any other pet. But take heart! It can be done and it doesn't have to take all day!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Filter
• Siphon (Python)
• "Turtle Clean"

1. The first thing we do to the aquatic turtle tank is to use a siphon to remove all the water from the turtle tank. If the turtle tank is near a window... siphon the water out the window and onto a garden below. If there is no window within reach, use 2 recycled gallon jugs, one to catch the water in, the next to catch the water while you dump the first. To stop the flow without losing pressure; place your index finger over the end of the tubing to stop the flow until you move it from one place (or jug) to another. Please "recycle" the dirty water, my hallway plants love it!!

2. During this time, transfer your aquatic turtles to a safe container.

3. Remove any decorations, rocks, plants, ect. from the aquatic turtle tank and wash them with hot water. Remove any filters at this point. I personally do not like using any harsh chemicals around my pets. I use rubber gloves, the "turtle" brush, and occasionally an oxygen based cleaner like OxyClean. Rinse everything very, very well.

4. Before all the water is removed, take a scrubbing brush (used for the aquatic turtle tank only,)and clean the sides. With the siphon, remove the "yuck." You might need to add a gallon of water to insure the "yuck" removal.

5. Remove any decorations, rocks, plants, ect. from the aquatic turtle tank and wash them with warm water. Remove any filters at this point. I personally do not like using any harsh chemicals around my pets. I use rubber gloves, the "turtle" brush, and occasionally an oxygen based cleaner like OxyClean. Rinse everything very, very well.

6. If you already use a filer; in a sink, take it apart and wash it down. I use reusable foam that I wash thoroughly and reuse 4-5 times. After that I replace it with a new one. Your filter needs to be rated for a tank(fish) 2-3 times larger than you are using. Aquatic turtles are much harder on a filter than fish.

7. Refill the tank with clean water, replace the clean rocks and other decorations, put the filter back in place... or put a filter in, and put your baby back into his clean home.

8. I also use a water additive called "Turtle Clean Bio Care". It helps keep the waste smell down in between cleanings. With a good filter, I only have to clean the tank every 2-3 weeks. This is with 2 red ear slider aquatic turtles and a 20 gallon tank. I also add 1-2 gallons of water every week to replace evaporated water. This also helps keep the aquatic turtle tank cleaner.

Tips & Warnings

• use non chlorine water
• keep tank out of direct sunlight (will grow less algae)
• Don't "shock" your turtle by putting him into very cold water. Let it warm up or warm it up a little first.
• Always wash your hands after handling aquatic turtles!

[3-Point]

on 3/20/2009 I wish I had seen this article when my daughter had a turtle. It was always a chore trying to keep the tank clean. 5*

[Addonis]

on 3/15/2009 great work 5*GGTGG

[biga2infinity]

on 3/5/2009 That's a lot of work...5**** A PluSSSSSS!!!!!

[AmyRose]

on 3/5/2009 Now here's some serious specialized advice! I grew up with painted turtles as pets, and I know kids love turtles, including the aquatic ones, and all creatures deserve a good home. Nice article not only for families but teachers who keep these kinds of turtles in the classroom. 5*