Equipment Review and Discussion :: water and heat

[TurtleTattoo]

few questions:
first as far as getting rid of the ammonia i've been using what is called Turtle clean, but im not sure if its safe for the turtles. I dont know why it would be sold if its not okay.But im still unsure.
2nd is as far as a water conditioner i've been using Aqua safe, its says it makes tap water safe for fish.. so i figure its fine for turtles as well. But i wanted a 2nd opinion.
Also when do i need to test the water and waht kind of test kit do i need to use? I have one that tests for PH, Nitrate, chloride, and a bunch of other things, but im never sure what i need to test fore after i change their water.
Lastly what is best as far as heating: the ceramic emitters or the heat bulbs. At this point im pretty fed up with the bulbs since i have had 5+ burn out on me since september. But i dont know what brand of heat emitter would be best.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[megcornell]

When testing the water, you can do it periodically. It can be used to help you decide when to do partial water changes.
You shouldn't need to add anything chemical to the tank to bind up the ammonia. How large is the tank and how large is the turtle? A good filter and period partial water changes should be adequate for maintaining safe ammonia levels.
The aquasafe is fine for turtles as well as fish.
As for heating, you'll need a submersible heater to heat the water and you'll need a UVA bulb to heat the basking area. You'll also need a UVB bulb for the basking area, but this doesn't emit enough heat on its own. Submersible heaters are the only reliable way to heat the water- a bulb isn't strong enough.

[TurtleTattoo]

i have a submersible heater that is good for a 100gl tank. I have a 55gl tank with a 6.5" res and two 4" res. Im just not sure what kind of bulb or anything to use for their basking area. I just bought a ceramic heater today and its crap. But i needed something to use so that they would have a night cycle. Im thoroughly frustrated with the different bulbs i've bought b/c they burn out so quickly.

[Vtolds]

You can just use a plain old house bulb for the basking lamp combined with a clamp lamp with a ceramic socket which you can get at any pet store. I have 2, 5.5 inch flukers Clamp Lamps one has just a normal 75 watt light bulb from any grocery store (my basking spot light blew) and the other has a 26 watt Repti Glo 5.0 UVB bulb which is perfect for turtles but gives off no heat so you cant use it as a basking lamp. I personally have mine at the opposite side of the tank that doesn't have a basking spot.

[SpotsMama]

I've used Turtle Clean and in some circumstances it helps. It doesn't really get rid of ammonia though. What it does is break down solid waste so the filter can more easily pick it up. These days, I've got minnows in my tank that are good little cleaner uppers, plus I use a little battery powered vacuum cleaner to pick up anything they missed, so I stopped using Turtle Clean because I don't need it.

What's most important to test water for is ammonia and nitrite. These are toxic and there shouldn't be any if the bio filter is working right. If the filter isn't big enough, or the turtle is too big for the tank, then these will start to build up and that's what you need to know most. They are invisible of course, so testing is the only way to really know what's going on.

You also need to test for nitrates, which I believe you already do. Nitrates are the end product of the breakdown of ammonia and nitrites by the good bacteria in the bio filter. Nitrate isn't toxic but if too much of it builds up algae will grow in your tank and it will smell bad. You get rid of nitrates by partial or complete water changes. The tests will help you decide how often you need to do it.

It's good to know what your ph is. If it's high (much over 8 ) and your turtle starts to have shell fungus problems, then you can lower the ph to discourage the growth of fungus.

I don't know what sort of test kits you have - sounds pretty extensive - but a good one is the Master Freshwater Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmecueticles. It tests for all of the above, has lots of test solution so lasts a long time and has good info for how to do the tests and interpret the results.

On water conditioner, the fish conditioner is fine but even better is ReptiSafe, especially formulated for aquatic turtles. It does a few more things besides just neutralize chlorine or chloramine.

[SpotsMama]

Vtolds, I'm afraid your turtles aren't getting the benefit of the UVB if your UVB bulb is at the opposite end of the tank from the basking platform. UVB doesn't penetrate water, and the bulb is also probably too far away from the turtle to do any good.

Both bulbs - heat and UVB need to be over the basking platform. The heat bulb motivates the turtle to get up on the basking platform then the UVB light does it's miraculous job of keeping the shell, bones and skin healthy.

Of course, that wouldn't prevent you from having a third bulb over the end of the platform opposite the basking platform if you just want it lit up. That's similar to the way I've got mine.

[Vtolds]

Well thanks for letting me know that, when I move her over to her new tank I will put both on her basking area. Maybe someone should make a MORE specific setup list of things you need and WHERE have them because I have never read that the UVB has to be over the basking area. I may just be mistaken about it thought.

[megcornell]

Here's some general lighting info from the main site. It tells you how far away the bulbs should be from the basking area. I hope that clears things up.

http://www.redearslider.com/lighting_issues.html

[TurtleTattoo]

Everyone is so helpful. Thank you so much SpotsMoma. I really appreciate all you're info. I will make sure to look for the test kit. and i bought some zoomed 100W basking lamp bulbs. The only thing i dont like is that my kids dont get a night cycle b/c the heat lamps always have to be on. But the only other red/ blue lights sold are by Exo-terra and they dont really provide any warmth. So im not sure what to do about that.

[iac637]

if they have a water heater you really don't need a night cycle.

[SpotsMama]

That's right about the heat bulbs. In fact, I don't know anyone that leaves a heat bulb on overnight. Turtles almost always sleep in the water anyway so if the water is warm enough then that's all they need.

Go ahead and give those kids a night cycle - they need their beauty sleep too!

[TurtleTattoo]

well i keep the water at 80 degrees F. My vet said i need night bulbs or a ceramic heating bulb. I actually catch them sleeping while they bask, but if you say that if the water is warm enough for them to sleep in then i will turn off the heat lamps at night. im sure that will also help me save the life of the bulbs not to mention the amount of energy used.
THANK YOU!

[N4784N R4613]

My turtles have been fine for a year, and a half, without any lights on at night.

[marisa]

TurtleTatoo, if you cover a good portion of the tank at night, it will help keep the warmth in the tank (heat rises from the heated water) and keep the ambient air temp in the tank warmer. This is especially good if the room the turtles are in at night is cool. I have used red heat bulbs at night with small hatchlings to keep them warmer. (The red heat bulbs do not disturb their sleep cycle).