General Care Discussion :: Salt Water

[SpotsMama]

I've read a couple of places that salt in a turtle's water will help prevent bacterial problems. My question is....how much salt should be added?

[steve]

If you purchase freshwater aquarium salt, it'll list the recommended amount. The kind I use comes in a milk-carton like container and has directions on the side.

link

[cprcheetah]

How often would you add this? Just with tank changes? It doesn't hurt the turtle any? Well I guess there are sea turtles...but RES are freshwater aren't they? I would be worried about the salt content being too high as if you follow the amount on the carton it would make it a salt water tank not a fresh water one.

[steve]

I actually use about half of the recommended amount. The salt dissolves but does not evaporate so you only need to replace it when you do a water change. They sell salt for different kinds of aquariums... freshwater, marine, reef, pond, etc.

It's only an optional thing to do... it is perfectly fine to skip it.

[SpotsMama]

I've read that a little salt in the water may be helpful, just like a slightly acidic ph is helpful in inhibiting the growth of bacteria. The salt probably shouldn't be nearly as salty as the sea. According to what I've read about it the freshwater turtles don't mind a little salt.

I think if there was too much salt in the water a turtle would dehydrate, just as you would if you were drinking seawater.

[Kallistos]

So what is the benefit of using salt, my turtles have never been exposed to salt water, I'm not sure how they'll react.

[SpotsMama]

Bacteria don't like salt. That's why salted meat and fish last longer. But too much is a bad thing.

[Kallistos]

I'm concerned if all of a sudden introducing salt to my turtles is a good idea. Also, doesn't the salt kill the good bacteria too? What kind of salt brand do you use and how much dosage do you use?

[SpotsMama]

I'm not using salt right now but am thinking about using it in the future. See what Steve says earlier in this thread about dosage. He says it's an optional sort of thing and you can skip it without feeling guilty!

[Kallistos]

Well I mean it okay not to use it, but you can use it and keep bacteria levels down. I'm just hoping it still allows the good bacteria to thrive and I'm worried how my turtles will all of a sudden react to salt.

[SpotsMama]

Steve, do you know if salt would affect the bacteria in a biofilter?

[Kallistos]

Exactly my question, I feel like i'm in a chat session

[steve]

Salt - as a preservative is entirely different. I'm not aware of salt having a negative effect on nitrifying bacteria (so-called beneficial bacteria), especially at the low concentrations I've been using. You might want to check a reef forum because they are very serious about water quality control issues. Hope that helps.

[SpotsMama]

Thanks! Come to think of it, I suppose the true saltwater aquariums have nitrifying bacteria too.

[amazingcc]

They sell salt for freshwater aquariums especially. I use it, and all five of my turts are doing great. Just follow the instuctions carefully.