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I'm just curious, I've looked at everyones pictures of their turtles and saw how bright and shiny their shells were. Leo's shell seems really dull ( I have pictures posted at http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1772 ). Am I doing something wrong or is it just natural?

Your turtles shell looks like mine.. colorwise .. as they get older they get darker. Most of the pictures are of hatchlings who are a much brighter green. he looks fine

The shell looks a bit dry, which wouldn't be unusual for being under a basking lamp for a while. Am wondering about the white spots toward the back of the shell, though...(Are they a reflection?)

Have you used a toothbrush on him? Simon looked like that when I first got him then I gave him a good once over and it looked so much better afterwards.

No, those white spots aren't a reflection, I've been worried about those to, but maybe I'll try the toothbrush. I'll have to go buy a cheap one lol.

Is the area where the spots are are soft at all? Is there any odor? Does the white come off if you rub it gently or does it appear to be part of the shell? Do the edges of the scutes where it's white appear to be lifting at all?

Try to use a soft toothbrush if you do use one. You can use an old one that's been broken it--I do sometimes, and I clean it first with diluted bleach, rinse it very well and let it air dry.

I'm going to use a toothbrush on him tonight (I'm getting a cheap one at thes tore today). But I just noticed how much worse it looks in the pictures. The only white spot that isn't a reflectoin is the one towards the back of his shell. The ones on the edge in the foreground of the pic are all reflections.
Anyways, I'll let you know how the toothbrush goes today.

Ok, I posted pictures that are closeups of the white spot on his shell ( I tried brushing it, but it won't come off ).