General Care Discussion :: Lumpy Dark shell

[Shavannah]

I agree with Zookeeper about the basking area. The turtles need to get completely out of the water to dry. The basking area should be around 10 degrees warmer than the water. Keep lowering the water temp a little at a time until you get between 72-75. Bigger, older turts don't need the warmer water that the little ones do. I made a basking area out of pvc and ceramic tiles. Steve made one, whom I got the idea from.
Here's my thread:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5444
I couldn't find Steve's, maybe he'll post the thread for you. There's also others that built similar ones, and there's other unique ideas too. Check out the Photo Gallery and Habitat Indoor sections. Most are very cost efficient.
You're doing a great job by making the necessary changes. Best advice is to read read read on here. It helped me tremendously! Keep us updated and good luck!

[steve]

I'm not sure where it is either

But here is the pic again:

[Shavannah]

Thanks Steve, I was hoping you still had it.

[pitym]

Thanks you guys. I did get a piece of corkbark for a new basking area that both can fit on. The water temp is down to about 78 and the basking is at 90 so I will keep working on that too. I will get a dry pic this weekend of the shell and post. We took them to my daughter's school yesterday for show and tell. The kids wanted to keep them in the classroom, they were so cool and of course my daughter is cool b/c she has turtles! If the corkbark doesn't work, I will have to go with the PVC and tile, thanks for the picrute. I have seen that before but I will have to recruit my hubby for that project. Ahh he loves to go to Home Depot!
Patti

[marisa]

I use corkbark for basking areas and really like it (so, apparently, do my turtles ). It doesn't last forever, though. The good pieces I've used have lasted about 1-1.5 years before they've become so waterlogged that it was obvious a new one was necessary.