Equipment Review and Discussion :: Cleaning used tank of a known healthy turtle

[littlecakes]

So I am buying Ashley's full set up that was posted here earlier for my smaller turtle, Pan-kun.

My husband and I went out to see it and although it's not normally allowed, trying to sell things through this forum, I'm really glad to be inheriting their custom made tank etc and I think she and her boyfriend are happy it's going to another turtle owner.

When we take it on, I will give it a thorough clean up but was wondering if I should be cleaning or restocking the biological filter media or if I should be taking advantage of the good bacteria in there. There will be one full day that the filter will be turned off between moving it from place to place. If Ashley's turtle is obviously known to be healthy, is it dangerous at all?

Was curious.

[Chrisbarnett]

I would replace all media anyway. and besides, one full day with Bio media, and no fresh water/oxygen in the filter, the bio media might eat up all the oxygen and then start to smell nasty.

[littlecakes]

Okie dokie

[steve]

I'm not sure how long the beneficial bacteria would survive. I would also replace all the media and dechlorinate the water. For the record, I'm currently not dechlorinating or using bio media.

[mat012]

IFor the record, I'm currently not dechlorinating or using bio media.

Why no bio media? Are you using plants?

[steve]

Well, the summer season requires more water changes from me. So dealing with bio media is not something I want to do. Both my turtles also had serious shell problems, so I felt more water changes would keep a cleaner tank environment. I keep my turtles out of their tanks while the water is warming up, so a good deal of the chlorine is gone by the time they go back into the water.