General Care Discussion :: Turtle Shell

[TaraLuvTurtle]

Hello all!

I was wondering if you all can help me. I recently cleaned the tank in my turtle, Marty's, tank. Afterwards, I noticed that when he was basking, his shell was all white. I also noticed a scute coming off. I have had him for about two years and he has never shed before.

I have been reading on here about the various reasons causing the white and I find a picture somewhere on here that looks like his shell. I did notice that when he goes back in the water, his shell has a gold hue about it. This is not everywhere though. As he has never shed, I am not sure how the shell is underneath.

I also noticed that part of his nails are white. I noticed people asking this questions, but found nothing about it. As far I know, he has always had nails like that. It seems to only be at the ends.

The ivy thing that I know is bad that I do is not have a UVB light. I do have a UVA light that he uses for basking, but with little children in the house, I do not feel safe with a UVB light. I do have to find another way to get some calcium in his body and I was thinking of the cuttlebone.

I do not have a picture to upload at the time, but hen I fond the chance, I will post some. I do not feel like it is fungus only because it is not patchy. It sort of looks like lowest when you use a nail file or something. I hope this makes sense.

[Linus]

Well it could be many things. It could be a calcium deposit from hard water.

You need to have a UVB light. They do not give off enough UVB's to harm unless you decided to bask with your turtle. If you still do not want to get a UVB then it is your responsibility to give up your turtle.

Anyway, the golden color is cause by retained scutes. Basically, your turtle is not shedding because it has no UVB.

[TaraLuvTurtle]

Well, I read that with a UVB light, it is not good to even look at it for more than a few seconds. How am I supposed to have one with a young kid in the house?

[TaraLuvTurtle]

How long should the UVB light be on? I can try to work something out as to where I can have it on during the day (before she gets home from school). Also, do you have any to recommend?

[TaraLuvTurtle]

Sorry for another post, but should I have both UVA and UVB lights on at the same time?

[steve]

After a couple of feet, a fluorescent UVB is not very strong and it should be pointed down over the basking area. Your UVB light will also produce UVA, but you'll need a regular lamp to produce some heat for basking.

[TaraLuvTurtle]

I have a UVA light now and it does produce heat. Can I just keep it and add the UVB light?

Thank you!

[Linus]

Ya, it's easiest to just use both.

To clear up the UVB thing and their power. Half of all the UVB's emmited are blocked by a screen and they don't even go through glass.

In other words a child with their nose pressed up against the glass of an aquarium would not recieve any UVB's.

[richieboy]

Is UVB really harmful for adults/children to be around? I think you should be alright, though I understand better safe than sorry. Turtle's do need UVB to function properly. Maybe you can take your turtle outside for some sun, or maybe you can run the light schedule to be on when kids aren't around or sleeping?