Taboos for Changing Turtle Water in Autumn: Can You Do a Full Change at Night? Remember These 3 Tips to Prevent ‘White Eyebrow’ Disease

Recently, the weather has turned cooler with significant diurnal temperature variations. Many fellow turtle keepers, upon returning home at night and seeing a dirty tank, are tempted to do a full water change—stop right there! A full water change at this time can easily cause your turtles to get sick, catch a cold, or even directly develop ‘white eyebrow’ (an eye disease in turtles, often manifesting as a white film-like substance).

What to Know About Changing Water in Autumn

Why can’t you do a full water change at night? The water temperature is lower at night, and tap water is typically 3°C or more colder than the water in the turtle tank if used directly. While a turtle might withstand a one-time temperature difference, it will eventually be unable to cope with this practice long-term! Even with aged water, although the temperature difference isn’t as large, turtles are more sensitive to water temperature when the ambient temperature is not optimal.

Recommended Water Change Method

• Only change 50% of the water, keeping 50% of the old tank water.
• Try to change the water in the morning or afternoon when the temperature difference is smaller.
• Before changing, try to let the new water sit or add it in slowly.

When keeping turtles in autumn, don’t continue your summer water-changing habits. If you carelessly do a full change, you will really regret it the next day……