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When changing Gene's tank water, I felt the end of his shell at the tail area and realised tt it was a bit soft ... I'm very worried, I give gene sufficient UV lighting frm the direct sun on sunny days, have a basking area in his tank and use the turtle conditioner (white calcium block tt's turtle shaped) I also feed gene a mixed diet (brocolli, spinach, cooked chicken without oil) and he's willing to eat pellets (nutrafin) as well. However Gene is only arnd 4- 5 weeks old i think (4.5cm) so could it be because his shell hasn't fully hardened yet?

Here are some pics of Gene's tank

Okay, first, since your turtle is still very little, it's likely that the shell will be a little softer. However, I'm worried about your setup. Is there a basking light? Is there a UVB bulb? Can your turtle get up to that basking area and completely dry off? Have you seen him bask yet?

TheComputerGremlin wrote:Okay, first, since your turtle is still very little, it's likely that the shell will be a little softer. However, I'm worried about your setup. Is there a basking light? Is there a UVB bulb? Can your turtle get up to that basking area and completely dry off? Have you seen him bask yet?

OH in the morn - afternoon there's direct sunlight entering Gene's tank so the UVB light isn't needed. and I'm about to change the basking area because it's been there for about 2 days and i haven't seen him bask, so i take him out for about 2 hrs a day and place him in a dry area to bask (there's shade provided as well) there is no basking light yet as i am saving up for it, and do u know wt's the diff btwn a bulb and a tube (apart frm the price)?

He proably isn't getting as much UVB as you think, if the sunlights being filtered through the glass of the window.

looks like you need a heater too, do you have one in there?

In general, the compact fluorescents are preferred, but know that they are not the only bulb needed for basking. They do not provide significant heat, just UVB. You can use tube lights if necessary, but it's harder to position them over the basking area. You still need an incandescent bulb for the heat part.

Where is the basking area in that tank? The lid on the jar? If so, can your turtle climb on it easily?

wow

no offence intended but that set-up is bad... where abouts do you live? im sure some of the forum members could help you out with some bits and pieces. or you could try the freecycle website www.freecycle.com you can ask people for just about anything and most of the time you will find what you want. also try local charity shops for items. i found a heatlamp in a charity shop for only £2 UK. if you live in the uk i can help you out with a few pieces if you pay the postage. i can certainly help with a heater and possibly a filter as i see neither in your tank. what size tank is it? i need to know to see if i have a filter you could have. possibly a couple of other bits too.

come on guys lets help this member out, we cant let a turtle be in those conditions. lets chip in. after all its christmas soon.

I had the same problem with Pokeylope when i first got him.....i didn't have the money to get all the equipment i needed so i made sure i got him a UVB lamp and i just ground up some cuttlebone and dusted all of his food and treats with it. after about a month the softness was gone and i still keep dusting his food to this day just in case. the only thing that i can see being a problem is that the dusting kinda builds a light film on the water, i just use a net to get that out.

Since your turtle is younger,the shell hasn't fully hardened.I don't know how mine are,but I don't think they're younger than one year old,and their's is still a little soft.

I think I might have a filter you could use. and definitely a lightbulb but I don't think I have an extra light fixture but I got mine at Walmart for 7$.

Gene is in singapore which is a tropical country. we do not need heater. The outdoor temp in the night never get below 78.8 degree.

Lilsaint wrote:Gene is in singapore which is a tropical country. we do not need heater. The outdoor temp in the night never get below 78.8 degree.

Too bad this topic is over a year old.