General Care Discussion :: Water PH

[Evelyn]

Hi All,
I have never tested the water in the turtle tanks in 15 years, shame on me. The water was always clean and very clear.
Last night I tested the water, reading was 6.0, the water in the water tester tube was very yellow, so I don't think that was the real ready, I could only go by that was on the cart. So this means the water is two acidic. That are some of the problems that are caused by this water condition ?
I tested after the tank was drained and filled, fiter cleaned, carben and filter pad raised.
I tested another tank that is do to be cleaned today, reading was exactly the same. I haven't tested the third tunk.
My tab water is 7.0
Evelyn

[steve]

Hi Evelyn,

Where are you getting the water for your tank and how often do you change the water (and how much of it?).

pH levels between 6-8 is normally considered safe for RES. (7 is neutral). A lot of people believe water that is slightly below 7 is better since it is slightly acidic and can prevent certain outbreaks of bacteria and fungus.

[Evelyn]

Hi Steve,
Sorry for being a pain in the butt,
I use tape water, New York tape water.
I do water change once a week. There is very little water left in the tank when I siphoning out the water maybe 1/2 inches remaining. Maybe I am taking out to much. Water eveperators from the tanks though out the week and it seems like every two days I add water.
I think I have discovered something that I have been doing that is very WRONG, I use glass cleaner on a paper towel to clean the glass wail the water is low in the tank. This may change the Ph.
I have 30 gallons tanks, which are not big enough for my turtles and the water is not high. I wish I could post photos, I have tried.
How do you get the photos from the photobucket to the post on the form.
Please tell me like I was a beginner which I am.
Evelyn

[Starchick]

Are you able to look at your album on photobucket? Once you sign in it should take you to a page with little versions of all your photos on it, and underneath each of the photos there should be 3 rows of information: URL Link, HTML Tag, and IMG Code. Use the left click button on your mouse to click the box next to where it says IMG Code. On most computers, that will automatically copy the location of your picture. Then just come here and type your post, then use your right click button and click 'paste'. It should come up as a funky looking web address starting with [IMG] Just leave it as is, and it should insert the photo into your post. Try and see if that works for you.

[Evelyn]

Thank You Starchick, I will give it a shot.

[steve]

Evelyn, for the most part, NYC tap water is fine. And yes, avoid any type of cleaning solution. There are a few here who use some white vinegar to clean the glass.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I use tap water for refilling all my tanks & never use any cleaning products on my turtles' tanks. I scrape the algae before siphoning out the water, then refill with tap water & a small squirt of reptisafe water conditioner.

My water changes: 1/month for Adult RES, once every 2 weeks with partials about twice a week for hatchling. The full water changes: all the water is siphoned out, down to less than an inch because there are fish in there so I have to keep some water there for them. Partials are only about 1/3-1/2 tank and since the tank is next to a sink, that makes partials *really* easy!

Hope that helps.