Urgent Care :: Shell Changing and refusing to bask.

[LadyMiracle]

How big is your turtle? they are both babys, about 3 inches long
How long have you had it? for a few weeks

What is the water temperature? 70
Did you use a thermometer? yes
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? 20 gallon tank filled over halfway
Are you using a water conditioner? Jungle ammonia clear tank buddies
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? 75
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? its a plastic one that sits in the corner with a ramp [shown in picture
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? yes they eat fine
When was the last time your turtle ate? yesterday at 5pm haven't fed them yet today but i feed them once a day, reptomin and wardley reptile sticks.

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 20 gallon tank
Is the tank near a window? yes
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? yes

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes but they all seem something like my issue but then some things different about it I cant really tell whats wrong or if there is anything wrong but their shells started fading on the tips of the shells down the middle and along the sides. turning white. One of them has a completely white spot on the side of his shell and another greyish spot on its side too. both of them havent been basking like they should and their stomaches are fading as well. I know they have gotten a bit bigger but their appearence changing was so drastic its worrying me. They behave normally except for the fact that they will not bask. weve tryed moving the light closer or further or in a diff area and nothing works. Also when i pick them up the backs and sides of the shells on both of them are flexible and bendable and I dont think they were like that before. Right now i took them out of the tank and put them under the basking lamp and im pretty much forcing them to for a little bit. Is that wrong? If anyone can help I would appreciate it. I love these little turtles and this is my first time having RES turtles. Here are pics of my tank, lights and both their shells top and bottom. the pics are too big to post so here are the urls.

http://i42.tinypic.com/bgqtcl.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/2922vd0.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2md5t8k.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2j2jp1c.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/282n7rr.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/9g9b87.jpg

[LilTurtSquirt]

[LadyMiracle]

The spots on his back arent slimy at all, or fuzzy. So I still cant tell what it is but if it is a fungus what can I do to help him?

Is that filter the one that came with your tank? we have one like that but the plastic hanger wasnt strong enough to hold it to the tank at all. It also came with a light that goes ontop of it but we took it off to put the lamps up.
How is the top of your tank arranged?

I could try using the smaller filter and rig it on somehow but it really didnt seem to be working very well.

Thanks so much for your help iv been worried sick.

[LilTurtSquirt]

[LilTurtSquirt]

[tidaboy9]

Look at this

I use this on my turtle for his fungus problem, treat it before it becomes a vet ($) problem

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752621


Also lison to LilTurtSquirt set up!! He helped me a WHOLE lot!!

[papoopeepoo]

Here you go. This is a video I took of Squirt's tank, that is step-by-step of his set-up, his lights, his filter, heater, water and basking temps, ect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY_OZLQTjWY

Your setup is really nice. A few pointers: you wouldn't need to do such large water changes so often when you use a canister filter, just something to consider for the future. Also, your screen top is blocking all the UV rays that are coming from the bulb. You should get either Egg crate, or have no border in between the UV bulb and the basking area. UV rays are different from the light humans see, so the rules for correct usage are a little different compared to an incandescent heat bulb.

The driftwood looks really great, though.

[LilTurtSquirt]

[papoopeepoo]

Actually, I have those two things the way they are for a reason. He's getting a 125 gallon tank soon, and that is when I will get him a canister filter, either an XP4 or a FX5. So I do the water changes for now.

The screen isn't blocking out ALL of the UVB rays, though it may be filtering some. However I'm not concerned, because he gets most of his UVB from being out in yard getting sunlight daily.

True, I should not have said ALL, but about 75%. If you have him out in the sun often that's good.

Cool beans.

[LadyMiracle]

Thanks so much guys. You have really helped me out!!! They are already looking better! Still need a new filter though. Until I get one Iv been turning it off after they eat and while they sleep and changing the water every couple days. They are looking sooo much better and they are basking and stretching again!

[Sir Max]

I must say your turtle ramp thingy is beautifull ;P