Copper to prevent algae

[Tortstrip]

I have a small hole in my yard that naturally collects water that my sulcata likes to soak in during the day. All of the water drains out overnight and I refill it in the morning but the soil never gets completely dry, so it grows quite a bit of algae. I’ve seen that putting a small copper pipe in the water could prevent algae, as long as I make it big enough and stick it in the ground to where she won’t eat it, do you guys think this would be safe?

(She has two separate water dishes in the shade that get dumped and cleaned every day)

 

[wellington]

Personally I wouldn't do that.
Just let it dry out before refilling and run a sprinkler for the day its drying out
@Markw84
@Tom

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Copper is used in the aquarium hobby to control certain parasites. But I'm not 100% sure that it's entirely safe for animals. Though the copper water pipes in my house probably lean towards it being safe.
SHADE controls algea very well. That and the removal of nutrients that the algea also thrive on

 

[wellington]

Copper is used in the aquarium hobby to control certain parasites. But I'm not 100% sure that it's entirely safe for animals. Though the copper water pipes in my house probably lean towards it being safe.
SHADE controls algea very well. That and the removal of nutrients that the algea also thrive on

I rethought that too, the copper pipes in the houses. But the copper for aquariums, many different kinds of fish will die from copper treatments and even pipes.
But our tortoises drink water from the copper pipes we have in our houses. Is soaking in it different than drinking it? Likely safer to soak then drink.
But we use the same water to soak them too.
I think I have to say, after much thought and typing it out, it likely is safe

 

[Tortstrip]

I rethought that too, the copper pipes in the houses. But the copper for aquariums, many different kinds of fish will die from copper treatments and even pipes.
But our tortoises drink water from the copper pipes we have in our houses. Is soaking in it different than drinking it? Likely safer to soak then drink.
But we use the same water to soak them too.
I think I have to say, after much thought and typing it out, it likely is safe

Thank you guys! Now that I think about it, I do have copper pipes that the water runs through that I soak her in normally. She doesn’t drink the water out of the hole as much because it’s usually pretty muddy and she drinks the water from her water bowl that is in the shade. I think I am going to give the copper pipe a shot, I did get it out of the plumbing section so it’s the same that our drinking water would run through

 

[Tom]

I have a small hole in my yard that naturally collects water that my sulcata likes to soak in during the day. All of the water drains out overnight and I refill it in the morning but the soil never gets completely dry, so it grows quite a bit of algae. I’ve seen that putting a small copper pipe in the water could prevent algae, as long as I make it big enough and stick it in the ground to where she won’t eat it, do you guys think this would be safe?

(She has two separate water dishes in the shade that get dumped and cleaned every day)

First, I don't think a piece of copper pipe will do anything. Second, I don't think it is needed. A little algae never hurt anything. Its a plant. It uses up waste products and gives off oxygen. If it is draining every night, you've got no worries.

 

[wellington]

Thank you guys! Now that I think about it, I do have copper pipes that the water runs through that I soak her in normally. She doesn’t drink the water out of the hole as much because it’s usually pretty muddy and she drinks the water from her water bowl that is in the shade. I think I am going to give the copper pipe a shot, I did get it out of the plumbing section so it’s the same that our drinking water would run through

Yeah, when you think it out, you realize how much they are already getting water that's been thru copper.

 

[Tortstrip]

First, I don't think a piece of copper pipe will do anything. Second, I don't think it is needed. A little algae never hurt anything. Its a plant. It uses up waste products and gives off oxygen. If it is draining every night, you've got no worries.

Even if it gets pretty thick on the bottom? Honestly, I’m gonna trust whatever you say, it just makes me nervous that she’s walking through it so much.

 

[Blackdog1714]

Even if it gets pretty thick on the bottom? Honestly, I’m gonna trust whatever you say, it just makes me nervous that she’s walking through it so much.

But look at that face! That is the perfect mud hole!

 

[Tom]

Even if it gets pretty thick on the bottom? Honestly, I’m gonna trust whatever you say, it just makes me nervous that she’s walking through it so much.

All of my tortoise water bowls get algae growing on them. Been that way for decades. Never an issue. I've seen tortoises living in smelly swampy mud, like sleeping in it over night, and no issue. I think your green summer mud hole will be totally fine, especially since the water in it is replaced daily.

 

[Tortstrip]

But look at that face! That is the perfect mud hole!

Lol it’s definitely one of her favorite things!

 

[Tortstrip]

All of my tortoise water bowls get algae growing on them. Been that way for decades. Never an issue. I've seen tortoises living in smelly swampy mud, like sleeping in it over night, and no issue. I think your green summer mud hole will be totally fine, especially since the water in it is replaced daily.

Okay, thank you! I get a little paranoid sometimes and worry about her a bit too much

 

[wellington]

Okay, thank you! I get a little paranoid sometimes and worry about her a bit too much

Look at it this way. You have both options. If you don't like it, then try the copper. But if you don't want to bother, then she's still okay with it. She's fine with whatever way you want to do it.