Urgent Care :: RES's aren't basking & shell rot?

[coopersnow]

So my RES still won't bask. I figured I'd just let them be for a while and they'd bask when they needed to but it doesn't seem like they are at all. Caught my small RES basking finally the other day but they haven't again and I can see browning on their shells a bit, like at the corners. Not sure if this is pyramiding or shell rot but what should I do? I've change some of the rocks around again but I'm sure they can figure out how to get to the surface to bask?

Anyone know how long a turtle can go without basking before it gets shell rot?

If you can see any problems with my current setup please let me know, I'm livestreaming the tank: www.ustream.com/channels/coopersnow

[RR38]

So my RES still won't bask. I figured I'd just let them be for a while and they'd bask when they needed to but it doesn't seem like they are at all. Caught my small RES basking finally the other day but they haven't again and I can see browning on their shells a bit, like at the corners. Not sure if this is pyramiding or shell rot but what should I do? I've change some of the rocks around again but I'm sure they can figure out how to get to the surface to bask?

Anyone know how long a turtle can go without basking before it gets shell rot?

If you can see any problems with my current setup please let me know, I'm livestreaming the tank: www.ustream.com/channels/coopersnow

I couldnt get your live stream to work, but it might be my computer. I do notice one thing about what you said, you changed the rocks again. I dont want to sound mean, but sometimes you just have to leave things alone. If you keep changing stuff on them they will never become comfortable enough to bask. Leave you tank alone for a couple of days and see if they dont start basking. Also how often do you watch them? maybe they bask when you arent there. If you could take a pic of the browning it would help. Although pyrimiding is usually due to to much protein in the diet I think.

[coopersnow]

Yeah sorry about that I was out at a friends and someone at home turned off my computer :\.

I've tried leaving the tank alone, it's been a few days but seeing the markings on the shell has kind of worried me so I had to move it and make it accessible as possible.

I watch them a lot, they are out of my sight but I watch them via webcam and also watch them quite a bit on my ustream when at friends.

I'll try to take some photos tomorrow. It's been quiet for a while since I've been out so they're probably resting.

[Farshad.roger]

maybe u dont have enough HEAT in basking area so the turtle is not coming?
u must make it about 32C

[coopersnow]

Here's some photos:

I don't remember seeing as much browning on the corners before.
http://twitpic.com/1fdv23

This is Squirt, my smaller RES. He doesn't have much shell damage but I'm wondering if the deep trench going up his shell is ok?
http://twitpic.com/1fdvi3

[RR38]

Dosent look like anything to me. the trench as you call it might be that he is getting ready to shed his scutes. The browning dosent look to serious to me. I would keep a close eye on them though. Do the brown spots smell bad or are they really soft? (Oh and by the way, I looked at the rest of your pics, the kari byron pic is great. )

[coopersnow]

Yeah that or the "trench" is opening to allow another section on the shell... doesn't look like there's a center part yet like my bigger one.

The browning doesn't seem too bad, I tried scratching it with my nail and it just seems somewhat soft.. layers very small though.

Haha Kari Byron... gaaawwwwww.

[coopersnow]

:S

So I checked Mr. Bubbles shell today and it seems to be a lot worse. I'm keeping him under the light in a container for a bit to force him to bask and I got some calcium thing today at the pet store that'll put calcium in the water.

[sx2r]

did they not have cuttle bone before? maybe you should look into getting them one

[steve]

What are the temperatures of the water and basking area? To help encourage basking, you might want to consider covering the sides of the tank so there is less distraction.

I've seen those red seams on the plastron before but don't know what it is. They almost always occur with hatchlings and I suspect it might have to do with excessive growth.

In regard to the unusual scutes, it's not normal but it's not necessarily a problem. The fast growth does seem to be making it worse for squirt, so I'd keep an eye on it.

Can you post a pic of Mr Bubble's shell while it is dry?

[coopersnow]

Cuttlebone? Is that calcium? I just bought a calcium tablet the other day, it puts calcium in the water.

So I walked in today on my RESs basking lol.. I wrapped some plastic piece in some kind of rubber mesh (kinda grippy) and they were both basking.

I'll upload the dry photos after they're uploaded.