Ammonia and reptiles

[mattrox]

We just got a 60 Gal tank for our FW tortise Bazza (... turtle to you 'mericans ) as he out grew his previous tank by a lot. We have the same filter on the larger tank and a tank mate now too. The little guy went from 20 Gals (totally inadequate) to his new tank. The tank is going through a mini-cycle with trace levels of ammonia on the test ~0.25 ppm. Of course I have done a PWC and will keep water conditions as good as possible.

My qeustion is to all you budding herptologists, how much does ammonia affect tortoises/turtles/terrapins?

BTW, by next spring Sept. - Oct. I expect a pond to be under construction for these guys so I can use the tank for more ARLCs.

Pics are posted in the new aquisitions section.

 

[Seepu]

Since turtles don't use gills to breathe.. I would think that the higher ammo levels aren't as serious to them. I WOULD use an ammo lock though, just in case. You never know how it will affect his eyes and such.

 

[mattrox]

Good point. I'll be testing twice daily and pwcs as required and hope the cycle is indeed just a mini.