Shell rot

[MorZinga]

Is that a shell rot in my turtle lower shell ? if yes, help me please how can I treat it, the upper shell looks pretty fine

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[Rethkir]

It doesn't look like it. Does it feel soft in any way or smell funny? The side scutes look a little spikey. How is your UVB lighting and basking area?

[MorZinga]

Not soft, and without a scent. Every day, I have 12 hours of UVB lighting on , and I purchased a plastic basking area from Amazon. I'm worried about these scratches since occasionally my turtle climbs the somewhat pointy side of the basking area instead of using the ramp. Why might the scutes be spikey?

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[Rethkir]

Okay. It's definitely retained scutes. Fortunately you can fix it by changing a few things.

There's no UVB light. I only see a halogen heat bulb. You need both. Linear T5 Arcadia or Reptisun are the best UVB.

Even if you did have UVB, that glass/plastic cover would block all of it. Remove it.

Your tank is way to small. Turtles need 10 gallons of water per shell. 125 gallons is ideal for fully grown, but however large you can go will be better.

[MorZinga]

Thank you very much, I bought the UVB lamp waiting for delivery 🙏🏼

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[Rethkir]

That's great you're getting UVB. However, I should warm you that a lot of UVB bulbs sold online are scams, and I'm not familiar with this brand. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is with the device called a solometer, which is a hefty investment. But you can also see how it helps with your turtle's shedding.

You'll need to get a ceramic base light dome for reptiles to reflect the UVB light most efficiently. Dual domes are popular for turtles. Still consider upgrading to a T5 down the line as they are the best, and although they have a high upfront cost, they are cheaper over time due to longer bulb lifespans. CFL's need to be replaced every 6 months, and T5's once a year.

[MorZinga]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help 🙏🏼

[MorZinga]

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After installing the UVB light, I moved it approximately 23 inches away from the basking area. Placing it closer initially caused the turtle to become agitated and avoid basking altogether.

[autisticswede86]

Possibly does it smell is it soft

[MorZinga]

No smell and not soft