Turtle Tank: Odor Removal

Turtles are relatively low-maintenance pets that you can safely leave alone for days as long as they have food. Unfortunately, between waste and water, turtle tanks can develop an odor. Setting up your tank appropriately, as well as cleaning it regularly, will control odor. For thorough cleanings, have a smaller temporary tank on hand for keeping the turtle safe while you work.

Things You'll Need

  • Large tank
  • Clean water
  • Tank-odor neutralizer
  • Tank filter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put the turtle in a small tank or plastic container with some water in it while you clean the tank. For the main tank, one of the keys to controlling odor is making sure it's big enough. If the turtle doesn't have enough room for both adequate water and dry land, mess can pile up.

    • 2

      Purchase a tank-odor neutralizer from a local pet store or online. Some products include BioWorld's Pet Beverage Odor Control, Anti Icky Poo and Expel Odor Neutralizer. Remove all objects from the tank and dump out the current water. Clean the inside thoroughly with soap and water, rinse the tank and then spray the inside with the odor neutralizer as a base.

    • 3

      Replace the turtle's solid basking area after cleaning it with soap and water. This is most commonly a large rock or pile of smaller rocks, or specific turtle-basking areas from a pet store. Make sure the height is such that the turtle can easily crawl up on it from the water. Fill the rest of the tank with water until there's about an inch of the basking area showing.

    • 4

      Replace the filter for the tank if necessary. A good filter keeps waste and uneaten food out of the tank and requires periodic cleaning.

    • 5

      Spray a small amount of the odor neutralizer in the water whenever you notice odor, or about once a week even if it's not strong. Don't spray it directly on the turtle.