Your pet turtle’s water suddenly turning yellow will understandably be quite odd and worrying to you as a turtle owner and it will raise questions about the well-being of your aquatic companion.
This article explores why this may be happening in your pet and what you can do about it
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Why is my turtle water yellow?
Understanding and addressing the reason behind the yellow coloring of your pet’s water will help you maintain a healthy and vibrant aquatic environment for the animal
Here is why your turtles water may be turning yellow:
Tannins:
One of the more common reasons why the water in your pet’s tank may be turning yellow may be that there are tannins in the water.
Tannins are released by driftwood, especially new or untreated driftwood. These tannins are released by wood and cause water to turn yellow and in some cases, turn light brown
It can also be released by leaves that are submerged in the tank or other natural decorations.
What to do:
This is generally harmless for turles but it is understandably unsettling to see. You can use activated carbon to absorb the tannins and clarify the water,
You can remedy this issue by removing the driftwood from your pet’s water and then cleaning out the yellow water from your pet’s enclosure.
Avoid this from happening in the future by letting your pets driftwood sit in some boiling water and then soaking the driftwood in the water as well.
Algae build-up:
Another common reason for a yellow discoloration of the water in your turtles tank is algae build up.
Algae will bloom when there is an imbalance or overflow of nutrients in the water and when there is excessive sunlight hitting the tank.
When algae bloom pigments are released into the water, which causes the water to take on a yellow tint.
What to do:
You can prevent algae growth in your pet turtle’s water by controlling nutrient levels in te tank, maintaining proper water parameters like having adequate filtration and making sure that the tank does not get excessive sunlight.
Regularly changing out the water should also help maintain clear water in your pet’s tank
Bacterial bloom:
Just as with algae, bacteria can also bloom in your pets water and cause the anaimls water to turn yellow.
If there is an imbalance in the nitrogen cycle then the bacteria can bloom and turn the water yellow. A sudden increase in ammonia or an increase in nitrate levels in the water can cause the bacteria to bloom.
What to do:
Proper filtration should keep the bacterial bloom at bay, what will also help is regular water testing
Old water conditioner
Using older equipment, namely an older water conditioner, can be the reason why your pet’s water is turning yellow
Older water conditioners can start to break down over time and instead of dechlorinating the water, they can rather turn the water yellow.
What to do:
Replacing your older water conditioner for a newer one to condition your tap water before you add the water to the tank, will ensure that your water stays clean and clear.
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other turtle/tortoise related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Turtle Swollen Foot, Why Does My Turtle Stretch His Neck And Open His Mouth, Why Is My Turtle Weak?, Why Is My Turtle Whining, Why Is My Turtle Mean?, Why Is My Turtle Water Brown, Why Is My Turtle Water Red?, Why Is My Turtle Wheezing?, Why Is My Turtle Walking In Circles