Other Turtle Discussion :: I think these DBT's need help

[Spike 7.62]

My grandfather is the assistant director of a museum which, among other things, houses two nothern diamondback terrapins.







This habitat needs help. I'm not sure of the salinity level, but I know the water level should be raised. Of course more water requires more salt, and I know nothing about salt water aquariums, or the saline needs of DBTs. The basking light is old and I'm sure the bulb is in need of repair, and the lamp itself sits on a screen that probably filters out the majority of UV rays, if any are emitted to begin with. The water quality seems good, but there is green algae present, and there is flow produced from the filter. The basking platform needs to be replaced, the suction cups no longer work and there is green gunk on it.

The turts..









I don't know if these turtles suffer from shell rot, fungus, or both. I do know that their shells require immediate attention. They are wild caught, one male, one female. They are fed strips if raw tilapia 3 to 4 days per week. They are not offered greens of any kind. They are very active, and one seems a bit pudgy.

Can some of the terrapin/salt water experts weigh in here?

-Spike

[jozzep]

Spike,
If you want to help these guys, there is def some money to be invested.Their carapaces look very unhealthy.I can't make out if it's shellrot or fungus but it doesn't look good.
First thing,scrap the screen and build an ATBA and fill the tank to the top. Second buy a nice MVB (mega-ray).
If these are wild caught, brackish water is a must. Buy a specific gravity meter and rock salt and salt the water to a specific gravity of 1.014.
Veggies are not necessary since diamondbacks are very carnivorous.
If you have future questions email me direct NorthernTerrapins@gmail.com.
Good luck

Edit** if you have access to them on a daily basis, put them in a tub outside (fresh water is fine) for a few hours a day. it will work miracles!

[shedreamsinred]

Poor things, they're lucky to have you helping them!

[Spike 7.62]

Jozzep, I was hoping you'd answer I will ask for money from the museum, and since I'm related the the director and assistant director, I don't think this will be an issue. My grandpa (assist. director) got me involved because I'm the turtle person of the family, and he could tell they didn't seem right. Right now they are being cared for by high school students, but every summer they leave a care sheet and it is up to the museum volunteers to do it. The care sheet is very basic and doesn't take all their needs into consideration.

I will put them outside, I can make the time. Would a sulfa dip be appropriate?

The water is brackish, but I don't know the saline level. I think the high school kids "wing it" because there's no indicator or meter to read the salt content. I will email you as specific incidents and needs arise, thanks so much!

-Spike

[Moose]

Wow! I'm glad you got ahold of them Spike, how long has the museum had these turtles?

@Jozzep, call me ignorant but I had no idea that DBT were salt water, and can you define brackish water for me? sorry im not that bright when it comes to saltwater animals.

[jozzep]

Wow! I'm glad you got ahold of them Spike, how long has the museum had these turtles?

@Jozzep, call me ignorant but I had no idea that DBT were salt water, and can you define brackish water for me? sorry im not that bright when it comes to saltwater animals.

Brackish water is not full blown salt water or freshwater.It's a mix of both.
DBT's live in salty marshes or wetlands.
Captive born specimens can live their whole life in freshwater, while wild caught ones develop shell and skin issues (in most cases) if not kept in brackish.

[Melvira_Fox]

Spike, please keep us updated. I'm glad you're going to care for them.

[Sir Max]

Spike your heart is allways in the right place! like allways!

(how come the water level isnt increased? its such a waste)

[Spike 7.62]

Hey all,

Today I bought supplies. Jozzep was correct when he said it wouldn't be cheap, I spent a whopping $389! But, I'll be paid back tomorrow when I bring all this stuff over.

So here's the booty...
Pet pool, this is what I'll keep the turtles in for their outside time.
"Instant Ocean" salt, 50 gallons worth. I won't need it all, but I've got it.
Protein skimmer good for up to 50 gallons
New turtle dock to replace the old disgusting one
100w "PowerSun" MVB bulb, which emits heat and UVA/UVB
Lamp
Salt measuring device
Fluval U3 underwater filter. This is will compliment the already existing underwater filter.
Extra replaceable media for the Fluval U3



This is taking so long because of work and my personal life, but tomorrow I am going to the museum to get this done. I will raise the water level and mix the salt into it, replace what needs to be replaced and add what needs to be added. Naturally, I'll post pictures of the progress.

-Spike

[steve]

Wow Spike, those DBTs are glad to have found you!

[lotsofpets]

See if you can get the algae off of the shell so you can see exactly what you are dealing with as far as shell rot, etc. Cleaning, debri-ing the shell as well as the proper salinity and good UVB should go far as to improving their shells. They will still need fresh water for drinking purposes. They are still beautiful!

[Spike 7.62]

Thanks Steve. Lotsofpets, I believe all they need is saltwater. Around here they are in the bay and actually traverse the ocean side of the islands too, so the water is very salty and they survive fine. From the man-made habitats I've seen, as well as the habitat they've been living in, there was only saltwater/brackish water available.

I'm about to head over there, but it isn't guaranteed that I can work on it today. Being July 3rd and a weekend, the museum expects a lot of people to be there seeing the wildlife exhibits. If this is the case, they don't want me doing all this in front of the public, so I may have to come back another day, perhaps on their off hours. But we'll see.

-Spike

[BiteyBits]

I would say do it in front of the people, and make it an educational experience for all. Spread the word of good turtle care!

Although by the time this is posted the day is practically over, have a great 4th weekend!

[Spike 7.62]

I would say do it in front of the people, and make it an educational experience for all. Spread the word of good turtle care!

That's exactly what I did I had the "OK" to do whatever I had to do, so I put the turtles in the above pictured pool and went to work. I scrubbed the crystalized salt off the tank as much as I could by hand, but I will need something stronger to get it all. I set up and installed the filter and MVB light. I hosed water into the tank and gradually added salt. I measured the salinity before I began and it read 1.010 which wasn't too far from what I was trying to get to. I have to say, I added a lot (or at least I felt like it was a lot) of salt, and with the tank filled almost all the way up, it right now reads 1.010. I couldn't take the turtles home for the night, so I did put them back in the aquarium. Tomorrow I'm going back to read the salt gravity and add more if needed. I'll again have the turtles in the pool while I'm doing this. I didn't put any water in there with them so they were dry, and they were very active the entire time.

The turtles were a real hit with everybody. I answered lots of questions and had to keep lots of little kids from picking them up. I heard everything from "look how pretty her green shell is" (referencing the algae) to comments from experianced turtle keepers and even one person I encountered was studying to be a herp vet. Of course I was asked 100,000 times why they were in the pool instead of the tank, and that's where I snuck in the info about how to properly keep turtles; with the right lights, high water level, strong filters, basking dock, etc. I had a lot of fun and I feel like I did some real good for these animals.

Next, I am thinking of a submersible heater. But, do I need one? They have been living in room temperature water and now they have a basking light. Also, about their shells, should I attempt some soft scrubbing with a toothbrush? Tomorrow I want to put them outside in the sun for a few hours.


^What I've done so far. I don't have the materials to build an ATBA but I would like to in the future. Also, I am going to put the lamp on a lamp stand instead of having it attached to the tank. Eventually I'm going to replace that basking dock with an acrylic one, they seemed to have trouble getting up onto it. They definitely loved being able to swim up and down though, the activity was nonstop once I put them back in.

Any other suggestions? Thanks for the support everybody!

-Spike

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

That's very nice of you to do that for those turtles spike!
Also what do those protein skimmers do?