General Care Discussion :: Turtle Bathing...

[rmicklit]

I give my turtle a good scrub about once every two weeks. He usually doesn't mind. Keeps the algae off him, and stops it from taking over the tank. I always do it before I put Tetrafauna Vitashell on him.

You can buy 50 cent toothbrushes from walmart that work awesome and last forever. Totally worth it!

[N4784N R4613]

Tetrafauna Vitashell blocks out UVB light, which the turtle needs too keep it's shell hard, and this is what the main site says about UVB rays...

UVB’s primary importance for your RES is stimulating the natural production of the vitamin D3. This vitamin is required for the metabolization of dietary calcium and together with the calcium, plays a roll in the prevention of illnesses such as Metabolic Bone Disease.

It is also oil based, which prevents air from getting to the shell, or "breathing," which can cause all shorts of problems.

If Tetrafauna Vitashell is used in thick quantities, or more often then once a mouth, it WILL stunt the turtles growth, and can also cause Metabolic Bone Disease (or VERY soft shell,which in allot of cases, leads to death of that turtle).

[meandmyturtles]

I don't put anything on my turtles, I just lightly brush them with a soft wet toothbrush, I don't put them under the water or through the water, the whole process takes less then a minute, the vet told me to do it to help keep thier shells clean and healthy

[marisa]

If you keep the water quality up (don't let the tank water get dirty) and have good water circulation in the tank, your turtle's shell should be fine and not need any cleaning.