Urgent Care :: Took over care of a turtle.

[Joao]

There is a huge thread on canister filters on here that you should go check out.Don't skimp on stuff now, because you will regret it in the end.

No one really realizes how much water temp can effect a turtle. Try to get a filter and heater as soon as you can.

[richieboy]

I suppose I should just spring for a filter for 180 gallons in case I fill the tank up all the way. It's gonna have to wait till payday and I'll just get the good stuff. I moved the light farther away because I think it was too close. This whole eye thing started a day or two after the light. Hopefully the MVB bulb is still effective at a foot and half. She's sleeping now so I can't see the eyes. Thanks guys you are all such a good help.

[Love of Animals]

It would be a good idea for the larger filter. Just do daily partial water changes until payday. The MVB bulb being to close could be the reason for the eye problems. Read the directions that come with it. They will tell you how close to put it. If you can no longer find the directions you can do a google search with the model and get them there. I'm not sure if MVB lights need a burn in period. That should be in the directions as well. Good Luck!

[ImogenDevaux]

To be honest a cheap filter is almost redundant in a turtle tank, you can get by without one if you feed her in a separate tub (their very messy eaters), and doing a small water change every other day.
Turtles, especially RES are very resilient, the red marks on her neck are her natural markings, under-coloured as a result of having no exposure to UV light..think of it as her tan Its very normal for basking turtles to rub their eyes and scratch their legs as their drying out.

Enjoy your new pet

[richieboy]

They way she's acting is alarming me. It looks like she's sleeping at the bottom of the tank. Her eyes are barely opening! Rubbing them from time to time. She's moving really slow. ughhhh

[Joao]

That light might be too powerful. Which one is it exactly?

[richieboy]

zoomed powersun

[Joao]

Those are pretty powerful and good bulbs. They have been known to cause eye issues if they arent far enough from the basking area, and not pointed directly down at it. how far is it now? I think rule of thumb with those are 18" or more.

Im going to make a suggestion that you can consider. Return the bulb ($70) and buy another fixture ($12-20), a exo-terra reptiglo 5.0 26watt bulb ($20), and go get some regular 40-75 watt bulbs ($1-3), depending on what wattage you need to produce heat, and then use the rest on a heater.

Only downside is you will have 2 lamps on the tank, but the upside is that bulbs will cost you a lot less, and might do away with the eye issue if the lights are the problem. Oh! and you also would get a heater.

[richieboy]

Okay, I didn't see your post. I went out (and spent money I didn't have!) and bought a new fixture apparently the one I had only went at an angle and I couldn't get good distance. I'm putting it 18" away. I also bought a heater, it's rated for 30gal, I know it's probably not great but it's all they had and I'll just return it. I put a thermometer in and it read 64 before it heated up. Hopefully this thing brings me to 70. Status on the turtle is still the same. Hopefully things turn around soon. I hope..

*edit: I have seen little bubbles come out of it's nose, is that normal for underwater? I'm just nervous now, I thought it was the foaming above water that was bad?

[SINI5T3R]

you can also try checking out craigslist.com in the pet section. they usually have tanks and stuff maybe you can get someone to just sell you there filter for cheap.

[richieboy]

Ok. I bought some eye drops. This was the second day. As soon as I put em in she opened her eyes ever so slightly. She ate. Now hopefully she's recovering. I think it was the lamp. This started a day or two after I installed it. I have a new concer though because I will be forever paranoid. When she stuck her snout up for air I swear I could almost hear her breathing. Is this something to be concerned about? Also, I have raised the light to 18", should I keep it off till she makes a full recovery?

[Love of Animals]

Glad her eyes are opening. I think she needs the light because that is her only source of heat, right? Were you able to get the heater yet? What did the directions say on the light? Also I think the light you have comes in 100Watt and 150Watt. Which one do you have? If you don't have a heater I would raise the light. What is the temp of the basking area? If your worried about RI you need to get the water to 80 degrees and keep it stable at that and have the basking area at 90 degrees. The increased temps help the turtles immune system. I know money's tight believe me I feel the pinch too right now, but you need that heater. Wait on the filter until you can get the one you want (just do partial water changes everyday and a full one once a week) and try to get the heater asap so you can keep her temps higher and stable. Good Luck!

[richieboy]

i have a heater, nothing too great but was the only one at petsmart. It's keeping the water at 75. I'm gonna turn on the lamp, it's face down 18" away. She's back in her corner sleeping where she has been for 3 days now. Hopefully tomorrow is better.. Bulb is 100 watt.

[richieboy]

Still the same. Lying in corner, eyes shut. When do I call a vet or should I give more time.

[Love of Animals]

I would call the vet. Try to make sure that the vet is a herb vet. Is she eating anything? And how do her eyes look today? Is she basking when she's sleeping? Is she still breathing loudly?