Habitat - Indoor :: Substrate cleaning question...

[MoreBloodWine]

be sure and use a water conditioner

I got a bottle of Pure that should do the trick if I remember what I read on the bottle right. Then I also got a bottle of cycle (yes I know theres debate on it) for beneficial bacteria not that I should need it.

So I guess what I can do is empty off a few gallons, milk jug the new water in and then add the pure.

[mat012]

they make smaller syphoning hoses without the sink connector. You just put the whole hose in the tank so that it fills with water, put your thumb on one end and then place that end in a bucket, sink or out the window.... I had one for my ten gallon. It did make it easier, but then my tank was on the counter near the sink, so it just meant that I didnt have to move the tank or animals. Use what ever works and is convenient.

None of those chemical are "good". Nitrate is just less harmful than the others and it takes longer to build up in the tank. Nitrate is also "eaten" by plants and algae, so excess levels can create an environment perfect for algae growth. So you want to keep it in check. Usually nitrate levels over 40 ppm are considered "dangerous". This is primarily what is dangerous for fish, but even with a turtle I wouldnt let it get too much higher than that mainly because of the algae. High nitrate + lots of light = algae problem.

In a planted tank, the plants will help lower nitrate levels. I have a large betta bowl with some java moss in it. That water stays at 0 nitrates, it also has excellent ammonia and nitrite levels. If the betta wouldnt keep making bubble nests (yuck - they are a slimy mess) I could probably go a couple of weeks or more without changing the water. Of course the larger the tank the more plants you would need to see any substantial changes in nitrate levels. I also have some moss in my 70 gallon tank and it doesnt effect the nitrate levels much at all. There just isnt enough of it.

On the plants too - turtles like to mess with them. So often times its just not worth the mess. its easier just to change the water.

[MoreBloodWine]

Well, I got the new filter hooked up and it seems to be running ok. Once it got all the air out and it quited down youd never know it was there. Also, doesnt a higher GPH mean the filter pulls harder. If thats the case then I should get more suction to clear the floor area of debris / left over food.

[madmax1]

these turtles Eat better than most humans do, fruit vegetables, don't over eat , snaks once a week or once a month for a real shitty treat. Now if we only ate what we needed just to survive. we all would be better off LOL LOL take a look at CHUNK-- Daniel 3507's avatar , thats what i am talking about