General Care Discussion :: white residue

[caitstyle]

I've noticed 2 peculiar things going on my tank.
A white-powdery like residue is showing up on my basking platform, but it isn't a powder, its almost impossible to remove it.

and there seems to be a white flakes around my res' eyes.

I checked the temperature of the platform and it was albeit too high, so I am going to adjust that... and see what happens. Anyone else have any light on this issue?

[SpotsMama]

Do you have hard water? Do you have a waterfall in the tank and, if so, is there any of the white residue around the output tube for the waterfall? I'm wondering if it's calcium or something precipitating out of the water.

Speaking of calcium - do you give your turtle any powdered vitamins or calcium supplements?

[steve]

Are the white flakes only visible after your turtle is dried off? If so, then it could be what Spotsmama mentioned, calcium or even salt, magnesium or other minerals in the water. Hard water is usually harmless.

[caitstyle]

i took a second look today, and it does appear to be a hard water problem. I also have a 210 saltwater tank with an RO unit.. is it a good idea to use the water from the RO (which is freshwater) ?

I don't supplement with calcium, I just feed pellets at the moment with some occasional lettuce

[steve]

If you have a hard water problem, then I would mix it. I don't think its necessary to use only RO water.

[kornygerm]

Well, i didnt want to post a new thread since its a similar topic..So here are some pics i took of her,actually both turltes have the same colouration.Could it be shedding,or hard water related?.

[steve]

Cute mug in that last pic. Hard to tell from the pics what is going on, though the scutes look pretty good after they've shed. If both turtles gradually grew whiter over time, then it's probably hard water. Can the whitish be easily removed?

If it spread from one section to all over, including the other turtle, then it's possible its an infection. However, it does look mild and if your turtle is shedding and the scutes underneath look good, then I'd say you have nothing to worry about

[kornygerm]

i noticed it yesterday actually.Most of the shell was beginning to peel off and a part of it did,now it looks different from the rest of the shell.But in the other turtle mot too much of a change yet..

I use a cotton swab and it was easy to remove, but it could reappear.
So, thats probably it,since they have been basking as well.

Thanks!..

(sorry i stole your thread cait lol).