algae and brackish water question
- This topic has 3 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 17 years, 5 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
OK, so I’m still struggling to eradicate my tank from the monstrous algea bloom of two weeks ago. It’s still green but I can see through to the back of the tank. Its been a nightmare. My question is this: I’ve been planning to switch to a brackish set-up at some point anyway. If I start now, would the salinity help kill off this free- floating green algea? Could someone tell me how gradually this change over should occur to make it easier on my turtle? Thanks much, Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,Brackish water should kill off the algae. Have you tried doing a complete water change. If you want to start converting them to brackish water add a cup of rock salt per 10 gallons. You can wait a couple of weeks and add another cup of rock salt per 10 gallons. Typically 2 to 2.5 cups per 10 gallons will put the saline level around 1.017. If you decide to make the water brackish you will want to provide fresh water once a week to them.There is more information available on my website.ThanksJonathanwww.diamondbackterrapin.comFrom: zacjambra <seths2@…
I did this myself a few months back using Jonathan’s advice and it worked quite well using water conditioner solar salt ($8 a bag). The terrapins acclimated to the brackish water without any problems. When I give them their fresh water during feeding a few times a week it is fascinating to watch them ignore the food for a minute or two to drink up. The only disadvantage to the brackish water is all the salt residue around the top of the tanks and on the filters but it is a small price to pay for healthy shells and no algae! I probably will go back to fresh water once I build an indoor pond with a UV water filter in the future so I can mix in a few other species but for now it’s great. -ScottFrom: Jonathan Helms
Thanks guys! Scott – I know there is a product available called Salt Creep Eliminator made by Coralife. From the bottle: “Coralife Salt Creep Eliminator contains corrosion-blockers and rust-inhibitors which effectively eliminate salt creep and protect equipment from future salt damage. Salt Creep Eliminator neutralizes the corrosive action of salt and continuously inhibits salt adhesion. Contains no nitrates and no phosphates.” It further states that it is safe for all aquatic animal life but should not be sprayed directly into the water. I’m not sure if I’ll use it yet or not. Anyone have any experience with it? Is it true that once you get the salinity to the right degree that you ‘never’ have to add salt again? That it crystallizes and dilutes over and over again? I promise this is the last question for now…Thanks! Kathleen One more question— In diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.com, Scott McDaniel
- The forum ‘Diamondback Terrapins’ is closed to new topics and replies.