Water conditioners and ph levels

flyingpenguin

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Messages
18
Location (City and/or State)
Tennessee
Is API water conditioner like I use in my fish tank safe for using in a turtle tank? Or do I need to get something like Reptisafe? And should API Sludge Destroyer be used in a new tank setup?
And what is the appropriate ph levels for a Mississippi map turtle? I thought I saw somewhere between 7.0-7.8 but don't know where so I wanted to double check.
Thanks!
 

Markw84

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
5,041
Location (City and/or State)
Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
I don't use water conditioner for tanks with turtles only. I do most often keep fish (mosquito fish and plecostomas) in with turtles so then I would if a total water change. The API would be good in that case. Turtles are not affected by the amounts of chlorine or chloramine in tap water.

You do want to get the tank established and proper biological filtration working. The chlorine/chloramine will inhibit bacteria growth, so slow down the good bacteria development.

Mississippi maps, and most all N American turtles do well in water neutral to slightly alkaline. The Mississippi River itself has a PH around 8.0.
 

Moozillion

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
10,744
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana, USA
I don't use water conditioner for tanks with turtles only. I do most often keep fish (mosquito fish and plecostomas) in with turtles so then I would if a total water change. The API would be good in that case. Turtles are not affected by the amounts of chlorine or chloramine in tap water.

You do want to get the tank established and proper biological filtration working. The chlorine/chloramine will inhibit bacteria growth, so slow down the good bacteria development.

Mississippi maps, and most all N American turtles do well in water neutral to slightly alkaline. The Mississippi River itself has a PH around 8.0.
Oh, WOW! I never knew the Mississippi is slightly alkaline! And i LIVE down here outside New Orleans!:eek: Learn something new every day! :)
 

Lyndi

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
29
Location (City and/or State)
Darwen, Lancashire
I don't use water conditioner for tanks with turtles only. I do most often keep fish (mosquito fish and plecostomas) in with turtles so then I would if a total water change. The API would be good in that case. Turtles are not affected by the amounts of chlorine or chloramine in tap water.

You do want to get the tank established and proper biological filtration working. The chlorine/chloramine will inhibit bacteria growth, so slow down the good bacteria development.

Mississippi maps, and most all N American turtles do well in water neutral to slightly alkaline. The Mississippi River itself has a PH around 8.0.
So why do so many turtle keepers advise putting de-chlorinator in water before putting it in the tank? Is it mainly to keep the BB happy, then, if turtles don't mind chlorine? Apologies if this seems a gormless question!
 

Toddrickfl1

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Messages
7,103
Location (City and/or State)
Ga
You don't need water conditioner for turtles. I've never used it. Just water from the tap.
 

Lyndi

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
29
Location (City and/or State)
Darwen, Lancashire
You don't need water conditioner for turtles. I've never used it. Just water from the tap.
Great. I wish I'd read this *before* ordering some literally just the other day! So much conflicting advice out there! My turtles never seem to be bothered by water straight from the tap but after listening to what most other people say with regards to this, and having only been looking after turtles since February, I thought I'd better be safe than sorry.
 
Top