General Care Discussion :: Small amount of salt?

[sai_dee]

I read at some sites that it's ideal to add a small amount of salt (1 teaspoon/5 gallon) to treat fungal and bacteria issues to prevent infections
or whatnot.

Does anyone condone or use this 'technique'?

[roseK]

i use it for my fish... idk about turtles

[Vtolds]

Yeah I used to put a special salt in my fish tanks but I dont know if it good for turtles.

[marisa]

I've never used it, but some people do add a small amount of aquarium salt (not regular table salt) to their turtle tanks as a preventative and to help maintain water quality. I have used aquarium salt in stronger concentrations for minor fungal issues (as a bath), however, and it has worked well. I think the 1 teaspoon/5 gallon concentration is what's recommended on the Dr. Wellfish package of aquarium salt.

[mikee]

Sai dee -- I use sea salt in my turtle tank. Again, this has to be done with care. More is not necessarily good and you sure can over do it. I use a brand “Instant Ocean” but any good aquarium salt is good. If you put too much in at once you have a good chance to disrupt your biological filter. After changing my water, 50% or all, I slowly raise it to no more than 1.004 ppt, using a SeaTest hydrometer from Aquarium Systems. It is for a salt water tank and is difficult to read a small amount. When putting in the salt put it in slowly with a table spoon at a time. No more than four per day. You don’t have to put salt in when you are just adding water as salt doesn’t evaporate. My tank water seems clearer and the turtles seem healthier. This is not for the novice as you really have to pay attention to the water quality.

[SpotsMama]

Marisa, on 1 teaspoon/5 gallons - is that the treatment strength or the preventive strength?

[Tenodera]

I use special freshwater aquarium salt in my turtle tank.

[mikee]

sai_dee & S mom -- Using the teaspoon full per whatever gallon, has it's pit falls. To be accurate and consistant you need a hydrometer due to the evaporation issue. They are not expensive and necessary if you are going down the salt road.

[SpotsMama]

I've been putting a small amount of salt in Spot's water for awhile. I have a kit with which I can test the saltiness of the water before I add any. I keep the saltiness relatively low so as not to kill off the good bacteria. Don't want to do that. I have been curious about treating minor shell and skin infections with salt baths. I've heard of it but don't know the specifics.

[mikee]

I have used regular table salt to wash off mine. They had algae at one time and some slime at another and I used a tooth brush with the warm salty water and it did a good job. Maybe someone else on the fourm can add to the salt bath.