General Care Discussion :: What kind of water do I use?

[tauc87]

I just got a big new tank for Greeny. What kind of water do I use? Do I go to the store and buy bottled water? Do I use a hose? Do I use sink water? HELP!!?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

You can use sink water, but you will need to treat the water with water conditioner (made for fish) before you put greeny in. The chlorine in the untreated water can irritate her eyes. You can find water conditioner at almost any pet store, they usually sell for less than 5$.

[tauc87]

Thank you so much, I'm off to buy it

[ice]

i just use water from my tub, no conditioner or anything. my turtles eyes are fine. but you should probably play it safe and add some anyway

[steve]

If you use a hose, let it run about a minute first. Once you filled it, put the water heaters in to let it warm up the water. Some people use boiling hot water to speed up the process. After the water hits 75F or whatever temp you've decided to keep them in, put Greeny back in.

Do not leave turtles in the tank during water changes or when adding hot water. Wait until its 75F.

Some people also like to add some water conditioner into there as well, to help remove chlorine/chloramines.

[tauc87]

awesome
i bought the conditioner especially for reptiles
ill add it and let it run through the filter for about an hour and then let her in thanks for all the help everyone

[industrial_girl_2000]

Reptisafe is the water conditioner I use, and it's great because I can use it for my Betta fish & my aquatic frog too.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Plus doesnt it add some other good things to do the water as well? I cant recall what, but i know for a fact it does more than just remove chlorine. I stopped using it because its become hard to find.

[DavidY]

A lot of water conditioners will add electrolytes to the water too. That's beneficial for the fish and turtles and the conditioner will also help with the animals natural slime production. Not sure about turtles, but fish need that to help them fight disease and to keep their scales healthy.