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Fellow Turtle Lovers, my baby RES (appx. 3 months old, i think!!) has suddenly become a bit lethargic, not jumping at food like he used to and his eyes are swollen. He constantly is rubbing his eyelids and isin't as energetic as before. I'm nowhere near a proper vet and am in a difficult financial situation. What can i do at home to help my little buddy Pepe?? Thx, RR

What's the water temperature? Does he have a UVB light? Did you change the water recently?

Water temperature average is 73-78 degrees. Haven't gotten a UVB bulb yet but yes I change the water daily with distilled bottled water. Am I doing something wrong? I'm new to this but willing to do whatever possible.

I would try raising the temperatures to 80F.

How long have you had him? What have you been feeding him? Were his eyes always swollen?

Rickie R wrote:Water temperature average is 73-78 degrees. Haven't gotten a UVB bulb yet but yes I change the water daily with distilled bottled water. Am I doing something wrong? I'm new to this but willing to do whatever possible.

Don't use distilled water for your water changes, it lacks the minerals and ions necessary for proper biological functions, and because it does, it will draw out the ions it lacks from living tissue in order to establish equilibrium. Distilled water is great for chemistry experiments, humidors, and in applications where minerals and ions can cause problems; but not good for the promotion of life.

It is only slightly less pure than RO water, and the people that use RO systems must re-balance the minerals and ions before using it in an aquarium, or risk killing parts of the ecosystem they are trying to establish.

If you really need to use bottled water because of chlorine/chloride or other chemical worries, just use regular bottled water.

I was also told not to use Distilled water for the same reasons stated above. They make stuff you can add to Regular tap water to take the ammonia out and chlorine out. But I would stay away from distilled water.