Hard water buildup may seem like a silly thing to be addressing in the Health section of a turtle care guide, but we’re not talking about how to keep your glass clear — we’re talking about hard water deposits accumulating on your turtle’s shell. These can be a problem because they can be unsightly, and more importantly, they can interfere with efficient UVB absorption.
Note: Retained or shedding scutes seem to attract hard water buildup more than normal scutes.
Symptoms
- White mineral deposits on shell
Cause
- Hard water
Treatment
You can combat hard water deposits by softening the water by putting a pouch of peat moss in your filter and/or performing weekly shell brushing.
If the water in your area is naturally soft or if you use a water softener in your home, then you are likely not to have problem with mineral deposits.