Habitat - Indoor :: Clean But Sludgy

[ReZ4life]

The tank is clean,I can see through it & they seem happy...really active little guys, but the tank is real sludgy around the edges & the bottom..is there any safe chemical or fish or something to remove this problem?

Thanx

[Rickiew04]

What do you mean by sludgy? Algae? If it is algae, you could try a pleco. I bought one of these about 2 weeks ago or so, and he has made my tank spotless. I had tons of algae, and after about a week he had eaten it ALL. The only problem is that some RES eat anything put in the tank. Some people have had problems with their turtle attacking the pleco. I took this chance and my turtle hasn't bothered the pleco one bit.

[FLhaven4strays]

Is the 'sludge' old food / waste or alge or a combo? I recommend a turkey baster w/ a large opening to get patches of muck out between water changes, but I also agree w/ Rickiew04 - a pleco does wonders for my tanks / pond too. Though your turtle may just see him as a moving buffet - you never know w/ a RES.

[ReZ4life]

I have a Pleco Fish, but I don't want to put him into the tank, my turtle bite anything that moves..maybe when he gets bigger, but is there any chemical I can use or a plant or something?

[FLhaven4strays]

I know there are chemicals designed to "clear up" aquarium water, but personally I wouldn't use them w/ my turtles. Maybe I'm overly cautious, but it just seems the potential problems outweigh the possible benefits.

maybe someone on here is more knowledgeable...

[Blue Flamingo]

Im not sure about what you could put into the tank. But I suggest that if you have your tank near a window you should mave the tank or some how block the light from getting to your tank. Light can really speed up the process of your algae growth. You can always just go check out your pet store that you go to, they are sure to know or have the product.

[ReZ4life]

Well I don't have the tank near a window, infact my room is pitch black except for the tank light & or my tv/montior.(what can I say, I'm a vampire)..I have my turtles outsiide right now, enjoyin the November day, lil guys are really active, runnin around in the grass snappin at anything that moves..total cuteness..lol..who needs kids when I got my turtles..but I'll probably stop @ a petshop & check out what chemical I can use 2 get that sludge 2 break down or atleast some new filters..

[SpotsMama]

There really shouldn't be sludge in the bottom of the tank. How often do you change the water and clean the tank? Does it smell bad? Do you test the water for ammonia and nitrites? What size tank do you have and what size/kind of filter?

Sounds like the tank needs more frequent cleaning. Often the water looks clear but it isn't really clean because some of the harmful stuff that builds up in a tank is invisible. Often when there's visible stuff on the bottom then there's invisible (and harmful) stuff in the water.

[ReZ4life]

It's a 20 Gallon tank with a 40 Gallon filter, I clean it every monday, no it doesn't smell bad.