General Care Discussion :: Shell Problem. Please

[peter]

Hi guys,
I know there are previous topics about shell problems. Just want to get more specific help on diagnose the problem for my red ear sliders.

They have white spot on the shell for about three weeks (pls see pics in attachment). The white spot won't go off when washed and the area of that shell remains hard and smooth. Their other habits seems to be fine. They eat well. Although I left their heat lamp and uvb light on for more than 10 hours a day, they do not bask too much, less than two hours a day in total. I change water for them twice a day use pipe water from yesterday (should not have too much CL left).

What shall I do to treat their problem? Thanks a lot!

[steve]

I'm not sure what's going on... it could be an infection taking hold. This is on both turtles?

[peter]

Its on both turtles. One (which is on the picture) has more serious issue than the other.

[PridgNYC]

You need a filter in that tank. I used this one http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-26038-ReptoFilter-125-GPH/dp/B003JVYY7M/ref=sr_1_8?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1316313318&sr=1-8 in my 10 gallon tank while Jordtim was waiting for me to build his new home.

[peter]

Oh I have a filter. I just did not use it since I change the water almost everyday. Maybe that is not good. I will start to use the filter and try not to change the water as frequently.

[PridgNYC]

What kind of filter do you have? Anything is better than nothing, as it keeps the water moving and if it agitates the surface of the water, it helps transfer oxygen into the water, limiting the growth of anaerobic bacteria (and fungus). Ideally, you should have a filter that can cycle through the entire contents of your tank at least 3-4 times per hour (based on the actual gallons per hour capacity of the filter, be careful because many manufactures give you the gross capacity of the pump without any media or distance to pump the water back up into the tank), more is better. My filter cycles the water 10 times per hour, and it remains crystal clear, the only thing I have had to do in the last 3 weeks is add more water due to evaporation. Once my filter finishes cycling (growing beneficial bacteria) in another 2-3 weeks, I'll start doing 10% water changes weekly to control Nitrates.

[steve]

What's their diet like? What are the water temperatures?

[peter]

I tried to give them balanced diet. I feed them once a day with frozen shrimp, fish, pork, blood worms, shellfish and Pellets (not much as other food). The water temperature is at 24 c to 27c day time and 22 c at night.

[peter]

here are more pics. I think it is a pretty unusual disease.







and here is the other one, he is better:

[steve]

Unfortunately that is not a balanced diet. I would stop with everything but the pellets and try to introduce them to some aquatic plants. I would not let the water temp go further than 75F, the daytime range should be between 75-79F.

Their habitat needs some adjustments too, namely size, filtration and water temperature.

[Rishabh]

I Had The Same Problem For Months Now... I Thought Its Shedding.. My Diet Is Pellets Only As My Sliders Are Too Young For Veggies... But They Seem Active And Their Appetite And Basking Habits Are Very Good... It Actually Goes Away With Shedding...