PLEASE HELP!!!

  • Author
    Posts
  • Candace Metcalf
    October 8, 2000 at 3:39 pm #13519

    I think my turtle has an eye infection. Last time this happened my red-eared slider eventualy died. For the past 2 days Tex has sat on his rock and slept. He’s been pooping a lot and the poop is really big. It ranges from a greyish to clear color. I cleaned the tank yesterday morning and when I checked it today there was mold growing on some of the poop. I dumped the water and put Tex in his feeding tank. As soon as he was set in the water he began scratching his eyes. I feed him Vitkraft reptile mix, but he only eats the shrimp. Well this morning when I put him in the feeding tank he only ate 1 shrimp peice. Usually he’ll eat 4 or 5 or however many I put in the tank. I’ve been doing everything I’ve been told to do to care for a hatchling and it just doesn’t seem to be working. I have a UVB light that rests 10 inches above the water. The water is 1.5 to 2 inches deep. I have a heat lamp and the water stays at around 75 degrees. I clean the water everyday. I use soft water from the sink. I bought a PH tester and PH adjuster liquid. I havn’t been using it lately thoug because I am so confused. I’ll adjust the water to neutral and then without putting the turtle back in it, later I’ll test it again and it will be back where it used to be. I feed Tex Reptomin pellets, Vitakraft and crickets. He doesn’t pay any attention to the crickets though. Does anyone have any idea what I’m doing wrong? Thanks! Candace

    greentrees
    October 8, 2000 at 3:52 pm #13520

    Describe the heat source setup. How far is the heat lamp above the basking spot? What wattage is the bulb? Do you have a rock for him to crawl out onto. Does it dry out? How hot does it feel when you put your hand on it? -Rick Candace Metcalf wrote:

    Candace Metcalf
    October 8, 2000 at 4:04 pm #13521

    Hi! The lamp is at a 45 degree angle from the side if the rock. The rock isn’t in the corner, but rather in the middle-corner area. The lamp is about 2 or 3 inches from the rock and doesn’t seem to be that hot. The bulb is 50W and it’s pretty hot to the touch. I can’t fit the lamp to shine into the tank, so it has to shine through the sides of the plastic tub. When I picked up Tex to put him in his feeding tank he felt very dried out like he hadn’t been in the water for a while. Hope this helps. Thanks! Candace — In diamondbackterrapins@egroups.com, greentrees

    greentrees
    October 8, 2000 at 4:10 pm #13522

    Hm…..I can’t quite get the picture. But I use a higher wattage bulb (75 or 100 watt) further away from the spot. Sorry – I meant, how hot is the rock when you put your hand on it ? -Rick Candace Metcalf wrote:

    greentrees
    October 8, 2000 at 4:24 pm #13523

    And what do you mean that the light has to shine through the sides of the plastic tub? What plastic tub? Heat doesn’t travel well thru plastic. Poor appetite is often the result of too little heat, is my experience. -Rick Candace Metcalf wrote:

    Candace Metcalf
    October 8, 2000 at 4:27 pm #13524

    Oh! The rock feels a little cooler than the water temp. I have a pic of the setup on my digital camera, but I’m not sure how to get it on the computer. 🙁 — In diamondbackterrapins@egroups.com, greentrees

  • The forum ‘Diamondback Terrapins’ is closed to new topics and replies.