I have this weird thing happening everytime I clean my turtle's tank. 2 days ago I cleaned his tank completely, fresh water that is dechlorinated, and I even wash the objects in the tank. I don't use soap, just hot water. The first day the water is crystal clear, the second day it gets cloudy and there is a sudsy foam on the surface of the water against the walls of the tank. Has anyone experienced this before? And can that harm the turtle? I know it's not soap but it looks like it.
At first I thought it was the food I've been feeding him. I feed him turtle sticks, turtle pellets, feeder fish, earth worms, wax worms, greens, and dried shrimp as a treat. Are any of these foods known to cause suds in the water?
Maybe it could be from him defecating?

LOL,,,,,I had the same problem with my spotted t's. I was changing the water everyother day it annoyed me so much. last thurs I bought the whisper filter 10i (in tank filter) and I still have the same water in the tank,,,,,crystal clear and odor free !!

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

Oh cool, I'll have to look into that because my filter hangs outside the tank and has the waterfall effect.

ya it happend to me all the time, it's called "new tank syndrome" it's when all the water is replaced and the ammonia levels are bouncing making the water cloudy.

-adam

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

Ditto ken on this one, I have the same filters. Whenever possible only change 25% of the water, there is beneficial bacteria in the tank that helps break down waste products. You may want to throw a live plant (like a banana plant) in as well.

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What is hapening is when you replace a large amount of water you have a "bacterial bloom". This is what makes the water cloudy. As things level out the water clears. It is harmless, though annoying.

New tank syndrome is what happens when as you said you replace all the water destroying the nitrifying bacteria in the aquarium. However NTS takes effect about 4-6 weeks later. Ammonia in the water is clear and is not visible to the eye.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

oh, well I guess I was wrong. Oh well, i tried :P hehe.

get a some of that water clearing stuff and stuff that solubolizes turtle wastes.

-adam

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

Yes you did Adam! And you were very close!
Don't feel bad I have had to explain the nitrogen cycle to adults that still looked at me and went HUH!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I would get a fluval filter. I have one and it keeps the water crystal clear and it is more quiet than any filter I have ever owned. I would not suggest the hang out of the tank filters. The main reason is because the water level needs to be a certain height for it to work. I would use a canister or a submergible. hop I was a help.

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Josh Shrader

1.0 Ball Python (Monty)
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Yoiu should look into a Python syphon system too. Trust me, its a turtle owner's best friend. Empties and refills the tub so fast, and no mess. I love it! Its worth the money.

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