Flakey, dull shell?

[veganlilly]

I did read a bit in the shell health sticky, but I'm on my way out and I've only seen the turtles I'm to get Friday a few times. The one turtle has a bright, vibrant shell. The other one has a shell that is flaky and dull or pale. Is this a major issue? What can I do to help it? I know right now my sister doesn't have adequate care or space for them, often the water doesn't cover their entire shells. (Don't worry, that will change when they come live with me). 

[dragonfly37]

It sounds like it isn't shedding well ,Shell build up can allow bacteria to grow underneath and affect healthy shell  leading to shell rot .   Are you able to take it outside to get sun ?  More than likely from the improper set up and lack of  UVB.   With good care and UVB it should clear up  

[Ramenuzumaki]

im always so paranoid when it comes to shell health!
if its nice out it would probably be a good idea to give it some sunshine
or maybe lend your sister your uvb lamp until you can take them home?
UVB is essential!

[DebbieB]

Sounds like shedding to me too.  When the turtles are in your care if you can get a picture posted it wuld be easier to know for sure.

[BKrazyH]

If the turts were housed together, especially in an inadequate tank, it's possible one was bullying the other and not letting it bask properly. I better enclosure and basking area should alleviate the problem as long as it hasn't developed shell rot already.

[veganlilly]

Thanks. Okay, so I got them home today! And I did take pictures, but I only have a disposable camera so it will be a few weeks before I can get it developed. Anyway, I'd say their shells are about 6 inches long, and they both look better than the last time I saw them. It looks like they're both shedding fairly normally, but I did notice a few things about the shells that I'll be looking into right away. (A few white spots, and the shell is turned up a little). I can't be too sure by looking at the sticky pictures here, because they are all such extreme cases.  I realize that they will need something bigger, and am setting up a second enclosure now that I know the facts.

[TACO]

They will also need UVB, and cuttle bone to increase their calcium intake.

[veganlilly]

Thanks, I have that covered. 

[TACO]

  Secondly I would suggest the water parameters stay at a very favorable reading. This might give you even more insight to the water issues turtles face everyday in those small tanks and death bowls. 

Here on HTP we have done years of research and have found that... For a turtle to live a long happy healthy life, it is vitally important that the turtle have an abundance of clean water. That is going to depend on three things - how often the water changes are done, the size and performance of the filter in use and how big the tank is. The greater the water volume that is available then the less often the water changes. Those two factors have to coincide with each other to keep the water parameters in check. ( That is the nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, ph levels and other reactions the water goes thru just because of the turtle eliminating waste. ) When dealing with 2 turtles in a 30 Gallon (115 Liters) tank you are more than doubling the bio-load for your turtles. ( You are exposing the turtles to living in a septic tank or the equivalent )Your water changes are going to have to be a lot more often which is going to affect the stability of the parameters.   ( meaning they will go up and down like a rubber bouncing ball )   All that is directly affected by the kind of filtration you have. Under some of the very best of conditions an XP3 (canister filter) still can't provide the amount of filtration that would be required to maintain adequate water parameters.


The picture allows for some comparison of what it would be like for us to live our entire life under those condions. 

[BKrazyH]

Right.... so you'll want to make sure your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate level stays in check. Do you have a test kit?

[veganlilly]

No, I don't currently have a test kit, but I can take water samples to several different pet stores in town and they will test it. Aside from getting them set up in something better, I am also going to be doing 1/3 water changes each day. Remember, these turtles come from a small shallow rubbermaid bin with three inches of water. So I know that what I have is not adequate for very long (ie, very temporary), but much better than their previous owners setup. I've been researching the forums for hours already and have come across a lot of useful information. Thank you for your help.

[BKrazyH]

Oh we aren't fussing at you!   We're just explaining likely scenarios of why their shells may look dull.

[veganlilly]

My thank you was sincere. I was just afraid that maybe the background information in this situation maybe hadn't been read. I'm honestly doing the best I can right now. I'm an unemployed single mother of a three year old and 1.5 year old.. but I have a long background in keeping reptiles of all kinds. And I'm a big researcher! 

[TACO]

Many of us here relate with your acquiring your turtles and trying to provide the best you can.
Thank you for caring enough to consider taking on yet another massive responsibility.
And taking the time to research the facts.  

We realize there are places and people online or in pet stores that will give you information about turtles. That has cost many of us in the long run from either vet bills and or having to go out and spend even more money to get the correct equipment that will provide for a healthy turtle.  We here at HTP have spent years of research perfecting our set-ups to gain the most for the health of the turtle and at a price that can be kept within reason. A sick or injured turtle can and do cost us all a massive amount of money on vet bills, plus the time, heartache and all the effort involved in taking the turtle into see the vet.

At HTP you will find we are one big family spread across the earth. Most of the members here have been here for months, if not years and have devoted their time to this valuable research. We certainly welcome you to join in with us in learning how to improve the habitat, for not only your turtles but also to share that valuable information to save so many other concerned turtle owners.

[Ramenuzumaki]

They will also need UVB, and cuttle bone to increase their calcium intake.

i always see cuddle bone
im sure they are the same as turtle bones but i always see people saying to get cuddle bones
are they cheaper or something?

[BKrazyH]

Cuttlebone in the bird section are MUCH cheaper than in the turtle section.

[Ramenuzumaki]

i see :)
good thing i didnt buy the turtle bone then :P
at Pet Depot i didnt see cuddle bone [granted i wasnt looking for it]
but i saw turtle bones
ill check at Berry's where i usually go:)

[BKrazyH]

If you access to online shopping you might do better cost-wise. I usually order about a dozen cuttlebones whenever I order other stuff such as UVB bulbs, air bubblers, prefilter sponges, etc. I think you can get like 6 cuttlebones for under $2.