Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:39 pm Filter and Tank Set up
I have to baby RES', both a year old and 3 in. Right now they are in a 20 gallon tank. We bought them from a reptile specialist, who we still keep in contact with as to their care, and we feed them base on what he was feeding them. They eat a lot, about 1 1/4 tablespoons of pellets every morning at 6:30, and then just under a tbsp every night at 6:30. He was feeding them 1 tbsp every morning and night, and told us to up it, as they have grown since we bought them. They also get the occasional meal worm as a treat, usually just after I have cleaned their tank. Right now I am doing full 95% water changes every week. I have the Zoo Med 318 filter in the tank, and I'm just not sure this is enough. Every water change I add 10ml of sludge destroyer and 2 tsp of conditioner, following the instructions on their bottles. we keep about 60% of the tank filled with water. Every time I change the water I also take the filter out, clean the sponge, clean the pellet things, or replece the pellets if it's time, and I wipe down the tank every other week (top only not the floor). After the water change the water is clear for about 2 days and then it goes back to being this cloudy green color. We are'nt sure what to do to help the tank at this point. We tried ghost shrimp, and they seemed to be helping, until we got home late one night and the turtles decided if we weren't going to feed them on time they were going to hunt dinner on their own. Does any one have any advice on how to keep the tank clean longer? We don't want to feed them less, as we are feeding them what the reptile store owner is feeding all is other turtles. They are shedding a lot right now, and we assumed that is just because its so hot. The water in the tank is also evaporating about an inch a week, i've been debating adding an extra half bucket halfway through the week. There's also some algae growing on our dock, and we weren't sure how to treat that. Normally we call the reptile guy for help, but he's pretty busy right now with a reptile expo coming up. Any help would be much appreciated. We just want what's best for our little guys.