Turtles, oil on water

[Wrasse]

Heya

I am a newbie when it comes to turtles and have recenly aquired two. A Sawshell and a Brisbane River turtle. Both are Australian natives.

They are happily swimming round in a 3 x 1.5 x 1.5 foot tank, half filled, which should do them nicely for a little while. They feed on a variety of food, which includes bloodworm, pellets and flakes. They currently have a terracotta pot to enable them respite from the water, driftwood for the same purpose, an adequate filter, UV lighting, a basking lamp as there is no water heater and some type of plant that was touted as great for turtles. (This is a temp tank, how-to's on the final tank are coming soon.)

I have noticed an oily sheen regularly skinning the surface of the water.

My questions are:

Is this oily sheen a turtle waste by-product or likely a product of uneaten food waste?

Is this common or do I have a problem here?

If this is common, how does everyone deal with it, given that the tank is only half full and putting a skimmer filter in there is not an option?

[natedoggSXE]

It's not a byproduct of the turtle's waste, but it might be from the water standing still for long periods of time. What type of "tank" is it? If its a old plastic tube or something like that, the oil might be from that. I would take the turtles out, wash and refill it. See if it's still there.

You can get filters made for turtles tanks that are half way filled. They sit in the water. Anyway let me know what happens. It's been awhile since i've kept any aquatic turtles.

[Wrasse]

Tis a brand new glass aquarium, well washed and rinsed prior to equipping.

The filtration I have in there is fully submersed, but I have the outlet just breaking the water surface. Not enough to upset the turtles, but enough to stop any still dead spots.

I will look at the terracotta pot and the driftwood as an oil producing option then.

[natedoggSXE]

Did you allow the filter to filter though water before putting it into the tank. Some filters have cartrigs that release chemicals unless washed out or you the filter on some other water before puttin it in the tank. I doubt its that, but its a possiblity if its new and never used before. I doubt its the driftwood or terracotta. Are you using de-chlorine drops in the water?

[Wrasse]

Filter got well and truly washed. The water is straight from the tap, as recommended by the wildlife park I got the babies from. They said that the local water supply is fine and they had been using that themselves in their breeding tanks.

No matter, the turtles have been transferred to their new tank now, new fittings etc, will see if it continues.

Thanks for your help.

[NicoleRussell]

what type of food are you feeding?
Congrats in the new captives BTW

[Wrasse]

Hey Nicole

We are in winter atm and the turtles are currently feeding twice a week plus we have feeder fish swimming round the tank for 'snacks'.

At each feed they are offered bloodworms with an extra item, rotated from:
Wardleys Turtle Food Flakes, HBH Turtle Bites, diced prawn and diced beef.

I have tried them on some of the chopped veges the Beardies get, but so far they have shown no interest in those.

[herpkingdom]

the oil might be from the diced beef, maybe???