General Care Discussion :: Spots on a turtle's shell

[MzEmmy]

Okay... if everyone read my previous post... I just landed myself 4 RES under a huge misconception, and lots of lying by a pet store to the friend that purchased them for me.
As soon as I realized that they were RES, I made the best adjustments I could for them. They are tiny... (biggest turtle at max an inch and a half and that is pushing it) I have all 4 in a 20 gallon tank right now which gives them enough room to breathe and play without climbing on each other like they were in the hermit crap plastic tank thing they were given to me in. I know it isn't adequate but it is the best I could do on such short notice. I purchased a landing for them to get up out of the water today... I thought they might have trouble getting on it, but they seem to have no problem at all which I am thankful for... as it was all my Super Wal-mart had to offer and previous engagements kept me from going 4 hours away today to a pet store that might have what I need.
I have a light in there... but I honestly don't think it is the right type at all (Wal-Mart didn't have any basking bulbs/heat lamps what so ever there so I am going to have to go to a bigger city then what I live in) It is a desk lamp adjusted down to hover over the rock with an energy efficient bulb... I can't even tell you what wattage it is, because it is too hot to remove to look. They seem to like it though... all 4 have been basking under it.
But I took pictures of them today before I moved their tanks... and looking at the pictures I noticed one has a small spot in its shell. I took this one out and looked at it up close... it is a lot smaller when looking at it, then it is in the picture. But he is the laziest of all of them, so I am worried it might be something making him ill.
Another concern I have is that they all seem to be having trouble swimming. I had to lower the water level to about an inch and a half (before it was about 3 & 1/2 inches) I am not sure what would be the cause to this except that my friend said that they only had about an inch of water in the pet store that they got them from on the beach and that maybe they just aren't used to swimming... She said there were hundreds of these RES's in a tank in the middle of the room that was no bigger than 2 ft by 2 ft
They are eating and otherwise seem healthy with clear eyes (as best as I can tell because they are sooo tiny)
But I am attaching a picture of the spot... and any advice on what it is, and how to help it would be great, as well as what might be the cause of their swimming difficulties. A better heating lamp will come tomorrow... but there is no way to add any type of filter because of the low water level as of now.

[steve]

White marks are usually mineral/calcium deposits, fungus/yeast infection, shell rot/bacterial infection or a shell breach (with a bone layer exposed). Does the area have texture or is smooth like the shell? Is it spreading outward?

Can you take a picture of the area when it's dry?

[MzEmmy]

I will set him/her out to dry now... and try and get a dry picture and feel it once it is dry for you, and will update this with answers soon

**EDIT**

I let him bask for a few hours, and the spot turned white... however, it is flaky. When I was feeling it to see the texture, it was smooth like the rest of the shell when I used my fingertip, but I could easily catch it with my nail. I did not, and would never try to peal it up, but I am sure if I had tried I could have.

I can't find my memory card reader for my camera at all right now...so the picture is going to be added at a later time this morning.
Sorry

[MzEmmy]

I think my 2 year old threw my memory card reader away... I can't find it anywhere.... does my description help at all in determining what it is that is wrong? I really want to make sure he is healthy or that I can fully inform Dave of what is wrong with him when I take them to their new home on Friday.

oh and no there is no sign that it is spreading outward... sorry forgot to add that last night

[steve]

It's hard to say... different conditions might need different care and there's a grayish spot on that shell I'd want to keep a close eye on.

Some sun and basking should do a great deal for your turtles, you might want to just keep an eye out on any changes with the spots.

[MzEmmy]

Yesterday I moved them to a tupperware tote and added 4 inches of water (just under the level of the basking rock I have for them) and placed them outside. I provided shade on half of the tote and full sun on the other half where the basking dock was and let them take in the sun for 2 hours. They loved it, and the two that were struggling to swim were definitely improving their skills.
I take this one out every night for an hour to two hours and place him under a second basking light, and allow him to fully dry off. When dry, it isn't grey at all, but it looks like it is trying to flake up, and it is white. It hasn't grown in size, and I noticed tonight that it seemed a fraction smaller tonight than compared to last night. So I think the extra basking time is helping him recover from what ever this may be.
I will definitely keep an eye on this area, and make sure Dave is well informed to keep an eye on it as well. He is a gracious man, and I am sure he will call me with updates or if anything changes what so ever. Tomorrow I will buy a new reader for my memory card, and upload the pic of it dry yesterday so you can see it, and I will take a new picture of it dry tomorrow so you can see the improvement.