How to Clean an Aquarium With Turtles in It

Turtles are interesting pets. Unlike dogs and parrots, they are not noisy and you can contain them within the confines of an aquarium. Turtles are, however, messy feeders and defecate in the water in which they swim. Uneaten turtle food, particularly pieces of raw meat or fish, pollute the water and create a bad smell. Algae that grows on the aquarium glass will also make the tank look unattractive. Clean your turtle aquarium regularly. Depending on the number of animals that are housed in the aquarium, the tank may require cleaning on a weekly basis.

Things You'll Need

  • Small plastic wading pool or large plastic container
  • Old towels
  • Two 10-gallon plastic buckets
  • 0.25-inch diameter plastic pipe, three feet long
  • Hard brush
  • White vinegar
  • Aquarium magnet
  • Replacement filter floss (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the turtles from their aquarium and put them in a large plastic container or wading pool. Place the container or pool in a room that very young children and pets, particularly dogs, are not able to access. Ensure that the room is warm, with an ambient temperature of above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 2

      Unplug the heater, lights and filter on the turtles' aquarium.

    • 3

      Place an old towel on the floor in front of the aquarium and put two 10-gallon buckets onto the towel.

    • 4

      Use a 0.25-inch diameter pipe to siphon water into the first bucket. Stop the flow of water by placing a finger over the free end of the pipe once the first bucket is almost full. Request an assistant to empty this bucket and begin to fill the second one. Continue in this way until the aquarium is empty.

    • 5

      Remove any rocks or driftwood and place them in one of the empty 10-gallon buckets. Pour a teaspoon full of white vinegar onto those pieces on which prolific algae growth is present. Rinse these items under running water and use a brush to remove any algae.

    • 6

      Use an aquarium magnet to clean the glass sides of the aquarium. This piece of aquarium equipment comprises two small magnets, each with one material surface. The magnets are placed on either side of the aquarium glass and the inside pane is cleaned of algae, as the outside magnet is moved around.

    • 7

      Remove the mechanical filter material from your canister filter, if you are using one. Thoroughly rinse this filter floss under running water, or replace it if required. Return the cleaned or new filter material to the filter.

    • 8

      Fill the aquarium with tap water.

    • 9

      Turn on the aquarium heater, lights and filter. Allow the water to heat up to over 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 10

      Return the turtles to their aquarium.