Do I have to cycle my turtle tank?

[turtlesrule101]

Okay, so I know to use dechlorinator in the water, but how long does it have to be before I can add my turtle to the tank? Can I use a dechlorinator made for freshwater tanks or do I have to buy some type of reptile dechlorinator? Do turtles really need the water/tank to be cycled like fish? I heard they only drink the water and not breath it but i just wanted to clarify to make sure this was correct. Any other info about maintaining a turtle tank would be helpful.
Thanks for reading? Brooke

 

[theTurtleRoom]

can use the same dechlorinator, can put the turtle in right away. It may not be necessary to use dechlorinator, either. Any chlorine in your tank will evaporate in 24 hours.

Turtles handle water issues much better than fish. Many of us keep inexpensive fish in our turtle setups as "indicator species". If the fish start having problems, then change it before the turtles do. If the fish are ok, then the turtles will be ok.