Urgent Care :: Turtles and Reptisafe

[Mo Milazzo]

How long do I have to wait to put my turtle in his tank after adding Reptisafe? Thanks

[steve]

Usually after a few minutes, but it also depends on water temperature. Just an FYI, water conditioners (chemicals) are not really recommended and carbon is a safer option.

[Into_the_Mystic]

yeah.. ditch the water conditioner stuff. Your wasting your money.

[adbritta]

I use carbon, purigen, and Nutrafin turtle clean. My turtle hasn't had any problems with the Turtle Clean, and it makes a HUGE difference. I usually put some in near the filter intake after I clean out the filter, just so it can work on any gunk or anything. I have Reptisafe too, but my turtle was fine before it, and I haven't seen it make any difference to her at all.

[JimmyLo]

I wait about 5 minutes, I let the water filters give the reptisafe a good round through the tank first.

Actually, reptisafe is one of the only conditioners that isn't harmful to turtles. It doesn't contain sodium thiosulfate, which is the ingredient in other water conditioners that is harmful to turtles. A lot of people on this forum are anti-water conditioners.

I'm pro water conditioners, because our tap water is very, very, VERY hard and full of stuff to keep bacteria out of it and safe for humans. These chemicals can harm your turtle too (bleach, for example can be poured in your water system [totally legal and safe for humans - I do it at my job cuz I control the water system there]).

There isn't enough research to support either end of the argument when using Reptisafe. So until they show me, or I discover for myself that it is harmful, I use it.

If people really wanted their water to be 100% safe for turtles without having to add any chemicals at all, you need to locate a place near you where they sell completely pure, clean water in the big jugs - they exist, but it's expensive!

[devilduck]

If your really that concerned you can invest in a Reverse Osmosis system like reef aquarist do.