How To Make Tap Water Safe For Turtles?

How to make tap water safe for turtles? 

If you’ve recently bought a baby turtle, you probably have questions like this. Aquatic turtles spend most of their time in the water, so it’s logical to assume that the water has a big impact on their health. 

As responsible turtle owners, we want to make everything we can to make sure the water in our turtle tank is safe for living. 

In this guide, you are going to learn about tap water, water conditioners for turtles, the effect of tap water on turtles, and much more. And, if that’s not enough, we’ll look at some common questions regarding this topic. But first… 

How to make tap water safe for turtles? There are two ways to make tap water safe for turtles. You can use a water conditioner to dechlorinate the tap water or let it sit in a separate container for 24 to 48 hours for the natural desolvation of the chlorine. 

What kind of water do turtles need? 

Aquatic turtles spend most of the time in the water. They drink it, they swim in, and they eat in. It’s safe to assume that we need to be particularly careful when it comes to water in our turtle tanks. 

You can use tap water, or bottled water in your turtle tank. I personally use tap water in my turtle tank, however, I know that my tap water is safe. Use your judgment, depending on where you live. 

Tap water contains chlorine which in high concentrations can harm your turtle eyes. 

In general, turtles are more hardy than fish. But, it doesn’t mean you should put your turtle in danger, exposing it to a high concentration of chlorine. 

Water conditioner for turtles 

The most efficient and quickest way to treat tap water is to use a water conditioner. Water conditioners are pretty inexpensive, and they are safe to use. 

Most turtle owners are not satisfied with their tap water, so they exclusively use water conditioners. They are effective and act pretty fast. And most importantly, they are easy to find in any pet store. 

Can you use a fish water conditioner for turtles? 

Some of us keep both fish and turtles. Not in the same tank, of course. Often, we use similar products for our fish and turtle tanks. 

While most of them are safe, some are not. Is the fish water conditioner safe for turtles? Probably, yes. 

I’ve never used a fish conditioner before, but I assume it’s pretty much the same as the water conditioner used for turtle tanks. 

From what I’ve heard from other turtle owners, using fish water conditioners won’t cause any problem to your turtle. So, next time when you are out of a water conditioner, feel free to use your fish one. 

Can you use bottled water for turtles? 

Yes, you can use bottled water for turtles. If it’s safe for you to drink it, then it’s probably safe for your turtle, as well. 

However, the question is: Do you really need bottled water for your turtle. In my opinion, it’s an unnecessary cost. 

Just use a water conditioner, or let the water sit for 24 hours in a separate container. If your tap water is safe, and without any chemicals, that’s probably the best way to use water for your turtle tank. 

Will tap water kill my turtle? Is tap water safe for my turtle? 

No, tap water won’t kill your turtle. But that doesn’t mean it can’t cause health-related issues. 

It depends on where you live. Every city has its own water sources. Before you fill your turtle tank with tap water, reach out to the local water company. Learn how they treat the water. 

From there, you’ll know what to do. It’s impossible to give universal advice because everyone has different tap water. 

Final Thoughts 

Tap water may be safe for your turtles depending on the place you live. However, if you don’t want to risk it, there is a simple solution. 

Water conditioners are fairly inexpensive, and they do the job quickly, and quite well. 

And, if water conditioners are not your thing, you can always store your water in separate containers. Let it sit for 24 to 48 hours, and you are good to go.