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Hi There!

Shelly and I are new to the forum and happy to be here

So my daughter came home with a new turtle from a LA trip with grandma. Grandma did not know the work she was unloading on us (me). For the little information I had, I think I have been doing a fair job of keeping her happy. I got her a tank, some large rocks at the bottom, a floating log, UV, and a filter. It's a lot of work and I keep up with her as much as I can. Her shell is shedding and I find little scutes when I clean her tank. I read that was normal.

My one concern is my water. I use store bought water conditioner but the tank itself gets dry water spots from hard water. As a result I think her shell is being affected. It appears as though there are mud patches on her shell (more center). They are small brown spots that look dryish. Fungus? Can you all please help a newbie. I want to continue to have a healthy turtle and correct whatever it is I'm doing wrong.

Thank you!!



Stefanie & Shelly

Hi Stefanie, how long have you had Shelly? White spots on the tank could also be dried skin or waste. I'm not sure I see the mud patches, but some of the discoloration is due to the turtles growth and older scutes that need to shed. You also don't need water conditioner if you use carbon in your filter (it's better for the turtle too).

Do you have a heater?