how can you make your red eared slidder smell good?

Question

i just bought my red eared slidder an it smells really bad.

Answer 1

I bet if you clean his tank his smell will impove

Answer 2

For the most part, the answers you have gotten are poking around the truth but not getting there. Jose is close. You will not be able to tell the difference until they are sexually mature. At that time, the male's front claws will be significantly longer than his rear claws. If there is any doubt, you have either a female or an immature male. This works for sliders, cooters, painted turtles, and their close relatives. You have the same problem with the general technique for sexing. Look at the underside of the tail. Find the vent. With the tail held straight back, is the vent under the carapace (upper shell)? If so, you have a female or an immature male. If the vent is beyond the carapace, you have a mature male. The shape of the plastron (lower shell) is useful in turtles with high domed shells, not so good for sliders. The other advice you have gotten is just plain wrong. Just in case someone advises probing or popping, don't have it done. I have yet to meet the vet whom I would trust to do either without injuring the turtle. I certainly would not trust a pet shop clerk or an amateur turtle-keeper. If you are really lucky and have a male, he will evert his penis briefly and you will be sure.

Answer 3

The smell is coming from two main sources- stuff in the water, and stuff on the bottom.

You need a BIG filter to keep a turtle tank clean. http://www.austinsturtlepage.com has a good article on filtration and water quality. A good filter will run you about $75+

The stuff on the bottom should be vacuumed out about weekly- taking about 1/4th of the water at the time. Not using gravel on the bottom makes the job easier.

Answer 4

They take an awful lot of work and need very special care. Please see www.austinsturtlepage.com for complete care info. Basics are a 10 gallon sized tank for each 1 inch of shell length, a basking area to climb out of the water on, a basking lamp, thermometer to monitor basking temp (digital thermometer a must), a water heater, a water thermometer, a powerful water filter, a UVB bulb which must be within 12 inches of the basking area and changed every 6 months, and change the water very very very often. Feed a variety of foods in a separate tank to help keep things clean. Do not use plants or gravel in the tank. Gravel will cause fatal impactions.

Answer 5

The only way that I know of is to keep the water/habitat clean. Try feeding your turtle in a separate tank in order to keep from fouling up the water in the main tank.

I also recommend Turtle VitaShell by Tetrafauna, it is a cream that is applied to the turtles and is a shell and skin conditioner. This cream has a pleasant odor.

Good luck.

Answer 6

When I had mine I used 3 filters in their tank and did an almost total water change every other day.....any less than that and they smelled horrible!

Answer 7

i've had one for about a year now, got her at the size of a quarter shes now about 4 inches, if you change its tank about once a month and have a sucker fish to cut down on algea it shouln't smell to bad.
ive found the best sucker fish are the Chinesse algea eaters, there most active but they do poop alot so its best to have some large gavel or rock in the bottom to keep the water clear.

Answer 8

More water changes and filter cleaning.

I change my water once a week..it helps. With a good filter system less water changes are needed

Odour can also be a sign of disease. Examine you RES carefully

Answer 9

feed it some mints or u could stop smelling them

Answer 10

it may be its enviornment, try cleaning its cage/tank often and watch what you feed it