My turtle's tank smells like chlorine. How do I get rid of it?

sample The odor may be from dirty water. Turtles can quickly overwhelm a tank leading to foul water. They need powerful filtration and/or filtration. His vent may be open due to illness. Monitor for soft stool or even prolapse. Examine his limbs for signs of injury or infection. Look over his she'll for trauma, pitting or soft spots. Maintain water quality and temperature to decrease stress. Submit a stool to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites.

The cloudiness can be due to elevated ammonia or nitrite levels or algae blooms. If the tank was previously cycled, the water change may have disrupted the nitrogen cycle resulting in cloudy water. Check the water temperature and chemistry. It is okay to cycle a tank with a turtle in it. They are hardier than fish and can withstand the elevated ammonia and nitrites until the tank chemistry "settles" down.

Not usually. If you have hard water, you can use a water conditioner or softener for water to use for water changes. A chunk of driftwood can also help soften the water if you don't mind a bit of discoloration. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to scrub off deposits.

Hot, soapy water can be used followed by a thorough rinse. If that doesn't work, a 50/50 solution of distilled water and vinegar can be sprayed used. Allow a 10-15 minute wet contact time before rinsing thoroughly. ExoTerra, Zoo Med, Natural Chemistry and API all make "herp safe" cleaners that may be effective in removing odors.

You should only have to add dechlorinator when you add new water from the tap. Otherwise the treated water should not accumulate chlorine on its own. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

You can get a water filter that will help maintain water quality, but regular partial water changes will still be needed. Feeding her in a separate container or removing any uneaten food promptly will help keep the water cleaner longer. Make sure she is getting a vitamin and calcium supplement in addition to a balanced diet. Offer fresh greens and vegetables, animal protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc) and a small amount of a commercial pelleted diet. You can use diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution and a soft bristled toothbrush to gently clean the shell daily. Allow for a 1-2 hour dry dock (out of water) after each cleaning. If the shell does not improve in a few days or if you notice soft spots or bleeding, then have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

It may be due to coloring from the food or tank furniture. It may also be a water quality issue. Look both turtles over for any signs of obvious injury. If they are both female, you may have some aggression/territoriality issues which may require a significantly larger tank or separation.

Confirm proper environmental conditions. The basking spot should be around 31C. Make sure water quality is maintained via filtration and regular cleaning. Provide adequate amounts of UVB lighting, a multivitamin and a calcium supplement to promote shell health. You can use diluted betadine or chlorhexidine and a soft bristled brush to gently cleanse the shell. Keep him out of the water for an hour or two after each cleaning. The link below will provide additional information. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

You shouldn't need anti ich medication for your sliders. The water conditioner (anti chlorine) is always a good idea if you use water from a municipal source. My personal preference for water conditioners are AmQuel Plus, NovAqua and StressCoat. You can purchase them online or in the local pet store. Be sure the water is no deeper than twice the length of the shell. You can read more about slider care here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Thanks for reaching out about Shelly. White patches can be mineral deposits, so can you scratch them off with a fingernail? Hard water would be the probably cause. Poor water condition can lead to infections and shell erosion. Water can be tested with an aquarium test kit and corrected. In this case, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.