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I wanted to know if salt was ok to put in my turtle tanks. I keep some non-iodized salt in my fish tanks to keep the snails away & to help the fish. Does salt have the same benefits for turtles

I've had turts for 18 yrs and have never used salt. In my opinion, it isn't needed.

In my opinion it is. It can prevent and kill fungus. I use fresh water aquarium salt for my turtles with no problems/

I think steve uses it too. I've got some but haven't put it in the tank yet. Be sure you get freshwater salt and not marine salt. Steve uses half the recommended amount. that's probably a good idea because if water evaporates it will become more concentrated.

It's supposed to help maintain water quality, which is important for turtles as well as fish. I have Dr. Wellfish (I think it's called) but have only used it for suspected shell issues in a stronger concentration that would normally be used. If you keep the tank water clean, you probably don't really need it. If you're being cautious, it won't hurt to use it (I wouldn't used table salt even if it's non-iodized, though). Follow the directions on the box.

A lot of people on the net think that table salt will kill their fish & turtles. I use non-iodized table salt in my fish tanks & it doesn't hurt them. how much should i put in for a 50 gallon tank?

marisa wrote:If you keep the tank water clean, you probably don't really need it.

That's basically my situation.

Table salt is just sodium chloride. The salt sold for freshwater aquariums probably contains other beneficial minerals and less sodium. Plus it comes with instructions on how much to use! just a thought...

I'd make sure that non-iodized table salt doesn't contain any additives to prevent caking or whatever. I know that sea salt and kosher salt are OK, but I've also read not to use table salt. Since for aquarium salt at least, most people follow the directions on the box (which are meant for fish), if the amount you're using with your fish seems to be working, I'd probably use a similar amount with your turtles. But, again, if you keep the tank water clean and your turtles are healthy, it's not really necessary.

Windowskiller, it depends on what brand you have. You have to follow the instructions on the box. Make sure its for fresh water use though

SpotsMama wrote:I think steve uses it too. I've got some but haven't put it in the tank yet. Be sure you get freshwater salt and not marine salt. Steve uses half the recommended amount. that's probably a good idea because if water evaporates it will become more concentrated.

Wow, you do have a good memory

I skipped it on the most recent water change based on a suggestion from the vet... though I'm not really confident in what he said.

Anyway, I believe the freshwater aquarium salt I use is derived from ocean water. I've always heard that it's good for preventing fungus, though it is probably not necessary with RES who get regular water changes.

i use aquarium salt, it says right on there how much to use. when i clean out my 55gallon (cap: 52g) i drain out about 10 gallons, and put about half a hand full of salt when i refill the water. with the 20gallon (cap:10 gallons) i lose about 3 gallons, refill and just sprinkle a little bit in. i've had no problems at all

hmmm...i have some of that from when my goldfish were sick, i was thinking about trying it half-strength in the turtle tank to see if it would get rid of the last little bits of algae i have in there. I wasn't sure if it was ok, but now that i see others use it with no problems maybe i'll give it a try.

Hmmm, I have full-strength saltwater in my reef tanks and I have to combat algae growth constantly because of the high intensity lighting. I'm not sure salt will get rid of the algae.

I was hoping that there was a difference between freshwater and saltwater algae, like how some plants can live in saltwater but it will kill other kinds.