How do I keep my turtle water from turning yellow and why is it?

Question

Sorry guys I forgot to tell you that I have not got the turtle yet. I just have to tank set up for when it gets here. So pee and a dirty tank are not the answer. I just set up the tank last night and now the water is yellow.

Answer 1

It's called pee, and you need to clean it.

Answer 2

A turtle has to pee (urinate) somewhere. So, unless you can train your turtle to do it in a bowl, your going to have to clean the tank.

Answer 3

six out of seven questions were answered that it was pee in the water, but since you just set up the tank the night before and you haven't got the turtle yet, it's most likely your water. test your water and see if it's not your water source. If it is you can always get your water from most pet shops. RO water is what they will give you and it is probably better than tap water anyway.

Answer 4

lol he pee alot must be a bladder problem

Answer 5

First, many kuddos for doing your homework and having everything ready for the turtle before it gets there.

I'm wondering if you're using yellow gravel in the tank?  Aquarium gravel bleeds color.  I never recommend using gravel/small pebble in a tank for impaction reasons.  Turtles are curious & opportunistic and will attempt to eat anything that looks of interest/tasty to them.

I'm not sure what your set up looks like, but if you didn't wash the items you're using it in before you put them in the tank - it could be bled dye.

I doubt your tap water is yellow.  I'm sure you've filled the sink/tub, and would have noticed long before now if you had water which looked suspect for drinking.

Drain the tank, wash everything thoroughly, and start over again, would be my suggestion.

**Footnote - though I disapprove of use of gravel, if you are using it, easiest way to clean it and remove excess color is to grab a handful of moist gravel, sprinkle it liberally with iodine free salt (abrasive; good for cleaning, and not harmful to turtles if you don't quite get it rinsed well), scrub it thoroughly between your palms, and rinse well.  Colored gravel will bleed color for a long while.  Repeat until the water running off the gravel is clear.

Good luck, and I hope you find the source of your discoloration soon.  Mysteries can be aggravating.

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 6

If it's a brownish-yellow, the problem is the water. Change it. If the water is greenish-yellow, you have algae growing. You might be able to get rid of the problem with a filter or by changing the water.

Answer 7

its from the pee and f***s of the turtle...if you want to keep it clean get a water filter at a pet store

Answer 8

You need to clean the water more often the turtle eat and drinks water, therefore what gos in must come out.... I clean mine once a week, more often if need, she's a box turtle, in a 20 gallon tank, with her own swimming area, a glass pan that fits into the tank.

Answer 9

yes it's a pee. clean it, I know it's sort of nasty. Happens to mine too.

Answer 10

The water could just be dirty and need to be changed. Get a really good filter and feed your turtle in a separate container so you minimize the debris.