
Turtle owners often wonder if it's okay to flush dirty turtle water down the toilet. While it may seem like a convenient way to dispose of the water, it's important to consider the potential impact on the turtle's health and the environment. Dirty turtle water is often cloudy and smelly, containing waste products such as ammonia and nitrites, which can be harmful to turtles. Therefore, it's recommended to maintain a clean tank with regular water changes and proper filtration to ensure the turtle's health. Additionally, tap water should be dechlorinated or left to sit for 24 hours to remove chlorine, as it can irritate turtles' eyes and destroy beneficial bacteria in the tank.
What You'll Learn
Dirty turtle water is unsafe for humans and turtles
Dirty turtle water is unsafe for both humans and turtles.
Dirty turtle water is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli, and shigella, which can cause serious illnesses in humans. It is important to note that while a healthy immune system can fight off many of these bacteria, they can still be dangerous, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems. Additionally, dirty turtle water can contain viruses, such as the common cold virus and the hepatitis A virus, which can be transmitted to humans.
For turtles, living in dirty water can lead to several health issues. One of the most common problems is shell rot, which is caused by bacteria eating away at the turtle's shell. Dirty water can also cause a build-up of ammonia, which is toxic to turtles and can lead to respiratory issues and other health problems. High levels of nitrate in the water can result in unsightly algae issues and can be harmful to turtles over time.
To maintain a healthy environment for both humans and turtles, it is crucial to regularly clean turtle tanks and follow proper maintenance procedures. This includes installing strong filters, regularly vacuuming and removing waste, sterilizing the water, and performing water changes with dechlorinated water. By taking these steps, individuals can ensure the safety and well-being of both themselves and their pet turtles.
In addition to the health risks posed by dirty turtle water, it is important to consider the impact on the turtle's quality of life. Turtles do not enjoy living in dirty water and can become stressed or depressed if their environment is not properly maintained. As responsible pet owners, it is our duty to provide them with a clean and comfortable living space.
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Dirty turtle water can cause shell rot
Symptoms of Shell Rot
Symptoms of shell rot in wild turtles include dehydration, poor body condition, a moss-covered shell, and an unpleasant odour or discharge. In pet turtles, symptoms tend to be more subtle, including a reddish tinge to areas of the shell, slime over the shell, flaking of the scutes, and an easily damaged shell. As the disease progresses, small pits form under the shell's surface, giving it an uneven appearance. In severe cases, entire shell plates may fall off, exposing the nerves and bone.
Treatment of Shell Rot
If your turtle has shell rot, it is important to consult a veterinarian, especially if there are signs of pus or sticky wet areas on the shell, as this could indicate a severe infection that requires antibiotic injections.
For mild cases of shell rot, home treatment may be possible. Here are some general steps to treat and prevent shell rot:
- Identify and address the root cause of the issue, such as dirty water, sharp objects in the enclosure, or lack of a basking area.
- Keep the infected turtle away from water and dry its shell until healed. Only get the turtle wet when cleaning the shell with mild soap and a soft brush.
- Scrape off any dirt, algae, and damaged pieces on the outer layer of the shell plates.
- Disinfect the shell with a general antiseptic, such as a chlorhexidine solution, to kill pathogens.
- Apply a healing cream, such as silver sulfadiazine, to promote shell regeneration.
- Ensure proper nutrition to aid in the healing process.
- Provide UV light and maintain the turtle's body temperature with a heat lamp to encourage healing.
- Keep the turtle's environment clean, including the water and bedding, to prevent the recurrence of shell rot.
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Tap water is a good source of water for turtles
Tap water, being the most convenient and affordable option, is the first choice of most reptile owners. However, not all cities have top-quality tap water. Usually, the water coming out of our sinks includes chemical substances such as fluorides, chlorine, and chloramines in high concentrations. These substances are safe for human beings to consume but can be extremely virulent for turtles. Plus, uncleaned tap water is highly hazardous for aquatic turtles that spend most of their time in the water. That’s why it is essential to clean the tap water before letting our pets dive into it.
If your municipality has good-quality tap water, you can consider using tap water with a little bit of simple treatment. If you aren't sure what to look for in a water report, here are the highlights to keep in mind:
- Hard-shelled turtles, like Red-eared Sliders, are pretty tolerant of pH levels. A range between 6.2 and 8.5 is fine for the more common North American species.
- Soft-shelled turtles are more sensitive and probably should not have a pH much lower than about 6.5.
- If you have a more exotic turtle or are not sure about your particular turtle's needs, always consult your vet.
Chlorine is not often in a high enough concentration to be a problem for a turtle. However, if you can smell it or taste it, it's probably better to use a water conditioner or simply put it in a bucket in the sun for a few hours.
Your municipality probably adds other chemicals to the water to make transmission and storage easier. In most cases, you should use a reptile-specific water conditioner.
If you decide your tap water is good enough, you can use a water conditioner (easiest and probably safest), or just set the water out overnight in a large container to allow the dissolved chlorine to dissipate into the air. Sunlight will facilitate the dissipation.
In most cases, you are perfectly fine using tap water, but you should use a water conditioner unless you've really investigated your local area's water supply. A water conditioner will neutralize the worst chemicals in tap water.
However, if you have an exotic turtle species or know they are sensitive to water changes and chemicals, distilled or filtered water is a better solution.
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Turtle tank maintenance
Turtles are one of the messiest pets you can have, but with the right maintenance, you can keep their tank clean and hygienic. Here are some detailed, direct, and instructive tips to help you with turtle tank maintenance.
Tank Size
It is recommended to have a tank that is bigger than what you think you need. In the wild, turtles occupy areas ranging from half a square mile to a full square mile. Therefore, a bigger tank will give your turtle more space to move around and reduce the concentration of waste products. A general guideline is to provide 10 gallons of water per inch of the turtle.
Filtration
It is crucial to have a strong filtration system in place, preferably a canister filter with a capacity of 2-3 times the volume of your turtle tank. Canister filters have a larger water-filtering capacity and are ideal for aquatic turtles as they produce a lot of waste. Additionally, make sure to use the right filter media, such as filter floss, which is excellent at filtering impurities and achieving crystal clear water.
Water Changes
Regularly change a portion of the water in the tank. Ideally, change 25-30% of the water every week or every two weeks. This will help remove and dilute waste products, such as ammonia and nitrates, which can be harmful to your turtle. Always use dechlorinated water for water changes, as chlorine can irritate your turtle and destroy beneficial bacteria.
Vacuum and Sterilize
At least 2-4 times a month, vacuum the bottom of the tank to remove turtle poop and leftover food, which can cause ammonia and nitrate buildup. Additionally, sterilize the water with UV light to eliminate harmful free-floating pathogens, algae, and bacteria, improving water clarity and reducing foul odours.
Feeding Schedule
Create a strict feeding schedule and avoid overfeeding. Feed nutrient-rich foods no more than 3 times per week for juveniles and reduce it to once a week for mature turtles. Feeding too much or too often will result in more waste and contribute to dirty water.
Tank Mates
Consider adding tank mates that can help with cleaning, such as floating freshwater plants and ghost shrimp. Plants will absorb ammonia and nitrates, while ghost shrimp will feed on algae and keep the glass and hard-to-reach surfaces clean.
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Turtle tank size matters
Turtles need a properly sized tank that is well-lit, heated, filtered, and clean. It is important to provide them with the best aquarium possible to keep them healthy and happy.
Tank size
Generally, it is recommended to start with at least a 50-gallon tank even if your pet turtle is smaller than 5 inches (12 cm), as they will usually grow to that size anyway. The tank size depends on the species of turtle. Turtle sizes differ from species to species. Most turtle species that are kept as pets could grow up to 12 inches (30 cm). For example, the common musk turtle, one of the most popular aquatic turtle species, only grows up to 5 inches (12 cm) and a musk turtle tank size should be 50 gallons or more.
It is recommended to provide at least 10 gallons of water per inch of turtle shell length. For example, a 4” turtle would need 40 gallons/150 liters of water to swim in, and a 12” turtle would need 120 gallons/450 liters. The depth of the water should also be at least the length of the turtle’s shell, preferably deeper if possible.
Land area
Many pet turtles (e.g. painted turtles, sliders, and map turtles) are semi-aquatic. This means they need an area for swimming and a land area for basking and resting. Land-loving species that do not swim (e.g. box turtles) can live in a front-open aquarium.
Tank material
Fish tanks and purpose-built reptile tanks are suitable for keeping turtles, as long as they are fitted with lights, filtration, and have enough land area. A turtle tank can be made of glass or acrylic. The material will normally depend on your budget and preference. Acrylic is lighter than glass, but it is more expensive and easier to damage. Glass is heavier, sturdier, cheaper, and more widely available.
Tank cleaning
Turtles create a lot of waste for their size. You will need a powerful aquarium pump and filter to clean and circulate the water. Turtles are messier than most fish. Smaller aquariums limit the range of natural behaviours your pet can express. They also become dirtier faster, which leads to a higher risk of stress and illness. A dirty tank can introduce harmful bacteria to your turtle, increasing the risk of salmonella transmission between your pet and you.
Doing regular water changes, removing uneaten food, and using a powerful pump will keep a turtle’s water clear. It is recommended to replace 25% of the water in your turtle’s tank with tap water treated with a water conditioner once a week. Each month, you should deep clean your turtle’s tank, cleaning everything in the aquarium and replacing the pump filter.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not OK to put dirty turtle water down the toilet. Turtle water is likely to contain salmonella, which is dangerous to humans.
It is recommended that you clean your turtle tank at least twice a month. This includes vacuuming the bottom of the tank to remove turtle poop and food leftovers, and sterilising the water with UV light. You should also perform regular dechlorinated water changes, aiming to change 30% of the water every 14 days.
To clean your turtle tank, you can follow these steps:
- Install a strong canister filter for aquariums.
- Vacuum turtle poop and food leftovers from the bottom of the tank.
- Sterilise the water with UV light to kill any harmful free-floating pathogens.
- Perform regular water changes using dechlorinated water.
- Add floating freshwater plants to the tank to help reduce the need for maintenance.
- Add a cleaning shrimp species to the tank, such as ghost shrimp, to help keep the glass and hard-to-reach surfaces clean.
You can use tap water or distilled water to clean your turtle tank. If you use tap water, it is recommended that you use a water conditioner to neutralise any chlorine, ammonia and nitrates. Alternatively, you can leave the tap water in a bucket in the sun for a few hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate.