General Care Discussion :: shell question

[2wicky]

I just wrote a really long post about my problem and firefox closed on me =/

I just now started to use my uvb bulb.. I didnt use it before because I didnt have a screen and i didnt want it to fall in.. so now his shell looks really dry. Not sure if he's overbasking or if it's because the missing uvb.. I've been using it now for about a month. Do you think it'll start getting better?

After looking around the forum for some solutions, I found that natural sunlight is good.... so I went out and bought him a kiddie pool today.. filled it up with a little basking spot.. do you think the sun will help his shell? Also, what do you think about my stone. It's sort of like a pumice stone. Do you think it'll be too rough for him to climb on to? It was stabbing me when i picked it up to rinse it off.. but not too bad.. water is done dechlorinating tomorrow... so i won't put him in till tomorrow..

any other ideas? what should i do?









I think my setup is ok.. suggestions?


pool too big? does he really need a place to hide?


pumice stone type thing.. not sure if it'd be too rough for him or not

[marisa]

To me, the stone is too abrasive (if it stabs you even a little, that's too much). I've made basking areas for kiddie pools using small plastic stools (you should be able to get one at a dollar store) and attaching a ramp to them to climb on it. You can put a smooth flat rock on top to weigh it down (I've used slate). You could also use corkbark for the basking area (not abrasive and easy to get on.

Putting some plants in there for cover (like water hyacinth) so he can hide and have some privacy would be good. Part of the pool should be shaded---the water can heat up fairly quickly in it. Also make sure he can't climb out of it---I'd put the basking area nearer to the middle of the pool, if you put it near the edge, he could use it to hoist himself out of it. If you do use corkbark, anchor it nearer to the middle because it will float around and wind up at the edge of the pool.

Does any of that white crust come off if you gently rub it with a soft toothbrush?

I don't remember if you've written elsewhere how long you've had him or how long his shell has been like that, but it will take time to see some improvement. Basking in sunlight (or even being out in the sun) should help.

[2wicky]

ok. thought it looked a little rough. It floats. I didn't even think of it floating to the edge where he could climb out....

Do i really need plants? I was planning on waiting until the half the pool was shaded by the roof... how long can I keep the water till i have to change it?

I've tried the toothbrush thing..also rubbing a little vinegar with a q-tip..nothing.. it's been like this for over a month..maybe two

[packfan1]

While I am only a novice at turtles, it looks like the two lights are "baking" him while he basks. Just looks like to much so close. I would probably take advice from others that have been doing this much longer than I, but thougth I would share my thought.

[Bascomb]

2-Wic -- Nice looking turtle but he has a little propblem with his shell. I use warm salt water and with a soft toothbrush to help as I think he has a fungus problem. The sun will help if he bask in it. When he in the ,out door pool, water he does not get much uvb rays. You will need to keep an eye on your turtle when he is outside as cats, dogs and birds are curious and may harm him. Pumas is abrasive and will hurt the plastron on the bottom. I think he needs to bask more with the uvb and you may want to add more calcium to his diet. -- Just a start. b.

[octpusgirl8]

You said something about a screen top, if you're using one, make sure the holes are rather large, at least 1/4". Small holes in a screen block a fair amount of UVB rays. For the baby pool, some kind of cover will help to make him feel more comfortable, they make really big fake plants called "fancy plants giants" that work great for a kiddie pool. If you just want him to get the benefits of sunlight, a closely supervised walk around outside would probably get him more of the benefits, he may not feel comfortable enough in the pool to bask.

[Nettle]

Ya, definitely looks more like a fungus than a dry shell problem.

As for the kiddie pool, a turtle will get really stressed if he's always exposed, so even something like a cave decoration would be fine. A big planting pot on it's side would work, or just look around the kitchen for hidey things.

[2wicky]

ooh. flower pot! good idea

[steve]

That is the classic fungus problem. Lots of basking and some medication like silver sulfadiazine is in order. If it spread that quickly, it will only continue.

[Azfar]

Hye there Steve, i wanna know regards to the turtle plastron (is it spell like that?) hehe.. when they grow big, is it the 'art design' on the plastron will dissappeared one day ? Because I've seen a lot of some other members pictures posting their turtles picture.. where the big and older one.. looks like the 'art design' spot is totally gone.. I hope my turtle won't lose their design cuz its unique..

[steve]

It will get darker until it becomes splotchy. The earlier design is gone, but the splotch is still unique and individual... someone once described it as a sort of fingerprint.

[Azfar]

Owhh i see.. thank you Steve.. not worry anymore