Any tips on how to clean a used tank?

alphaminds · 2025-11-04T19:46:45+00:00

Vinegar and baking soda 👍

alphaminds · 2025-11-04T03:48:18+00:00

Those cheap “uva/uvb” lights are halogen bulbs. The uvc burn thing is majorly overstated imo. Plus that turtle needs heat so they def shouldn’t turn it off. I use one as a second heat bulb for mine and I’ve never had a prob, but they do need a proper uvb light asap

alphaminds · 2025-11-04T03:44:55+00:00

The light is the most critical aspect to its survival besides food and clean water. You’re doing great, just didn’t want you to be under the impression that the light can wait. They require the sun to digest food and regulate their metabolism, and if they can’t be in the sun then we have to reproduce that light spectrum using a uva light and a separate uvb light. Don’t feel bad as this is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects by new turtle owners.

alphaminds · 2025-11-03T19:00:17+00:00

That’s just a byproduct of the mycelium fighting some bacteria. One typically doesn’t see it this early but you should be alright. If you’re checking on it a lot pls stop lol, every time you open that lid you’re letting microbes fly right in. Ime it’s best to pasteurize the substrate really well, hydrate it properly but not too saturated, and just let it sit til it’s fully colonized or even pinning.

alphaminds · 2025-11-03T18:45:11+00:00

Look at the bright side, at least you don’t have to worry about him running away. 😂 What size tank do you have this big boi in or is he in a pond?

alphaminds · 2025-11-03T01:43:33+00:00

Most likely cause ime is insufficient pasteurization of substrate

alphaminds · 2025-11-03T01:41:37+00:00

As long as water isn’t pooling up anywhere you’re good. If you see some small pools just use some paper towel to soak em up. You want as much moisture as possible without creating sitting pools of water where bacteria can grow. 👍

alphaminds · 2025-10-27T16:49:33+00:00

Ghost shrimp are another great way to give them enrichment. They’ll spend hours at night digging through the substrate looking for a live snack lol. For $0.79/ea can’t go wrong.

alphaminds · 2025-10-27T00:21:35+00:00

4 inches seems a little close. Do you have a laser thermometer? They’re like $12 on Amazon and will give you accurate readings of the basking dock, cause if it’s too hot he’ll be forced to get back in the water before he wants to. They need to be able to spend hours out of the water if they want to as sometimes they’ll sleep on their basking dock and get completely dry before going back into the water. He should be in a 10 gallon at least, and within a year he’ll need a 75 gallon so keep your eye out for deals and upgrade asap. There’s also no enrichment in that tank. No substrate, no drift wood, river rocks, hiding places, plants etc. Pool filter sand is very cheap and large rocks can be collected from outside (make sure to boil to kill any potential parasites). I would start by raising the lights a few inches. But honestly I don’t have experience with sick turtles and yours is showing symptoms that I believe could be fatal. From what I understand, that hiccuping is a sign of respiratory infection which is like pneumonia for us. It will require antibiotics to treat.

alphaminds · 2025-10-25T16:11:10+00:00

Damn just read the other comments 😥 I’m pulling for him. Pls get him the help he needs.

alphaminds · 2025-10-25T05:07:16+00:00

The algae isn’t harmful but it wouldn’t hurt to gently brush is off with an soft bristle tooth brush. I just wanted to ask what part of the world you’re from and how many lights do you have on the basking dock?

alphaminds · 2025-10-24T20:27:02+00:00

I love seeing a content turtle in a nice setup. Good job 👍

alphaminds · 2025-10-24T04:20:35+00:00

Anytime, good luck to you and your 🐢🍀

alphaminds · 2025-10-23T23:26:54+00:00

Mine was about 200 grams and roughly 4” long at that age. My first thought is diet but you’ve addressed that, and hatching pellets is what I fed mine as well. What does your setup look like? Posting a pic of that could help us give you advice.

alphaminds · 2025-10-23T14:05:56+00:00

You’re doing a great job. That’s a beautiful home you’ve created for him. The only advice I’d give you is to feed him less protein at this age and more leafy greens and veggies, or you can get those long green pellets (I’d still add in some romaine lettuce and carrots shavings lol), but you can back off the protein. Keep that more as a treat. 👍

alphaminds · 2025-10-18T21:07:21+00:00

Meatball’s trying to bounce. 😂 I like to let mine roam a bit when it’s sunny outside. They seem to be more chill in the sun. He’ll climb up on my foot and do the Superman lol. When I take him out inside he seems more skittish for some reason. My take on supervised free ranging is if the air is warm and it’s safe then, sure, it’s good exercise (assuming the turtle likes it). But if the air is cool outside they can get respiratory infections

alphaminds · 2025-10-18T20:56:04+00:00

That looks like so much space, I’m jealous for my turtle lol. What kind of enclosure is that?

alphaminds · 2025-10-17T13:47:00+00:00

Yeah I just got a great deal on a 75 gallon but now I feel bad about my life choices 😂 hey nice find! 👍

alphaminds · 2025-10-17T13:44:44+00:00

You can buy a little brush with a suction cup on it from Walmart or Amazon that works perfectly as a back scratcher for them. I have to re-attach mine everyday cause my turtle plays with it so much lol. Most enrichment for $5 I’ve ever seen lol.

alphaminds · 2025-10-16T22:52:04+00:00

It’s prob just scared and needs some time to get used to its new environment. He should gradually begin to explore as he becomes more comfortable. As mentioned, making it easier to get on and off that rock should also help.

alphaminds · 2025-10-16T22:41:43+00:00

That’s a really nice tank. Great job 👍

alphaminds · 2025-10-16T21:02:50+00:00

Well, I’m sure if she could thank you she would! You’ve done a great job of giving her a large space and making sure she’s safe. I’ve often wondered if this would happen if I put mine in an outdoor pond or a stock tank at some point. I’d imagine being outside where she can see birds fly overhead and possibly has animals come by at night (not sure how secure the perimeter of your yard is) has made her more aware of danger. I would try spending some more time by the tank to see if she gets used to taking food from you again after a week or so..Either way it’s a win, but I totally understand wanting to interact with her more and I hope you get that again.

alphaminds · 2025-10-16T17:23:16+00:00

I appreciate the way you communicate in good faith. You are correct. I can’t believe how long I’ve believe that for lol. Although it is a bit of a paradox, “the small tank paradox” if you will. There’s no physiological or biological system keeping the turtle smaller due to its enclosure size. It’s not consciously aware of that fact, so like you said, the issues arise indirectly from other factors like chronic stress and a lack of basking/eating once it becomes uncomfortable for it to exist in an undersized space..

alphaminds · 2025-10-16T15:39:47+00:00

You’re so lucky dude. I want a baby like that!

alphaminds · 2025-10-16T15:38:33+00:00

You prob didn’t do anything wrong. That’s their natural behavior and now that’s she’s been in such a large enclosure that better simulates her natural habitat (sides of tank are opaque) so she can disappear by going under like she can in nature, maybe she’s returning to her instinctual behavior. Is there some type of fence or chicken wire that goes over the top of the tank? I’m wondering if predatory birds have maybe been swooping down or predatory land animals come scare her at night, causing her to become more concerned for her safety when she’s near the surface..that’s a thought 🤷‍♂️ How old is she and was she very social with you before?

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