Seeking Experienced Turtle Keepers Help

[Mikeyy]

Long story short from my experience MFK is full of the most knowledgable, and friendly folk young and old. Its pretty sad when I have a reptile question I come here to ask NOT a reptile based website! lol

I am attempting to treat a mild case of Skin fungus on one of my 7 alligator snapping turtles that recide in my 300 gallon stock tank. 1 turtle just seems to be just persistant even with frequent water changes, added salt and such.

I've decided to go the Tepid salt bath followed by drying out for a few hours. I am not interested in the iodine solution route yet as I would like to try something a bit more natural..

My question is when using a "Tepid Salt water solution"

1. ionized or non ionized salt? (dumb question I know)

2. Marine salt or freshwater type salt (no additives just NaCl)

3. HOW CONCENTRATED IS THE SOLUTION!!!!!! lol all websites seem to leave that key detail out and it really grinds my gears

Thanks all!

 

[coreyweinkoetz]

I've decided to go the Tepid salt bath followed by drying out for a few hours. I am not interested in the iodine solution route yet as I would like to try something a bit more natural..

I would extend the length of dry time as a "natural solution"

 

[twilight zone]

I use Acriflavine for my Diamond Back Terrapins when they have skin fungus. I put them in a small bucket with just enough water to cover the backs of the turtles. I let them soak with the medication for two day anyway from direct sun if outdoors. Afterward, you soak them in clean water for a day before putting them back into their tank otherwise it will get the tank all yellow. Make sure you wear gloves. The medication will make your hands yellow. The fungus will come off in a week. You need to check your water in the tank and make sure to have adequate filtration . It is the water that causes the fungus on the turtle. I keep my DBT in straight fresh water without any salt. If the water is properly filtered and maintained, the skin problem will be minimized. Turtles are dirty and bigger the filter the better. Good Luck.

 

[RMorrow]

I think the concentration of the salt water solution is less of an issue than they "drying out" period. I would not leave them out for a few hours, I would leave them out over night. Then in the morning back in the tank and set them out at night. Do that every night until you see an improvement. This method has worked well for all my common and alligator snappers over the years.

 

[biguebs]

Yes, I agree with everyone above. I think getting them out into some direct sunlight if possible for several hours a day will make a big difference... fungus needs moisture, so extended dry periods are important.

Also, that's a lot of AST's!! What is your long term plan for housing them? I assume they are still small if they aren't killing each other yet...