I have 2 baby yellow bellied turtles, about 2 inches long and they are very ill. Their eyes have bubbled over an they are not able to open them, as a result they are not feeding, hardly at all active in the water and their shells are really soft, not at all as firm as when I bought them 2 weeks ago. I'm so afraid my tiny angels are going to die. The silly fool at the exotic pet shop who sold my babies too me said that i needn't worry about buying anything 'fancy' for them as they are such hardy little mites that they could live in a bucket of water with a brick in the middle. Of course I didn't take the advice literally, but it makes me wonder how many turtles have died because of his negligent advice to new keepers? Anyway, I researched what environment the turtles would thrive in and promptly kitted the little ones out. They have an 18in long tank by 10 in width and 12in depth with approx 4-5 litres of water in (Is this not a big enough tank? Too much water?) The water has been treated with King British Turtle and Terrapin Water Freshener. They have dried shrimp and reptomin offered to them and a small piece of cuttlefish lives in the tank for their vitamin uptake. I have also bought a plant to keep in the water for them to have a nibble on. Not sure what type, but its apparently quite a common plant. I have made them a basking area with some rocks from the garden centre (I boiled them first to kill any possible parasites or infections). They have a 50 watt exo terra heat glo bulb positioned to shine on the rocks 10 inch away from the rock surface for 12 hours a day for them to dry and bask(Too hot? Too close? For too long?) They also have a 10in UV light positioned in the lid approx 12in above them. I am wondering if it is the UV light that's harming my babies so badly? It was sold to me from an aquatic and reptile shop with the assurance that it was perfect for my baby Binky and baby Littlefoot to get the right amount of UV. It came with no packaging but a flimsy casing of grey corrugated cardboard. On close inspection (just now) it says: Tropical Marine G825 Ultra Violet 6B. But it says UV-C. What on earth is that? I've heard of UV-A and UV-B, but not C? Oh my goodness, it says it's dangerous to the skin and eyes. Oh my goodness! Have I been accidentally killing them? Is this lightbulb legal? It could have harmed my small children as well! If this really is dangerous to all and sundry does anyone know where I can get a real UV bulb for my tiny turtles? But apart from the bulb (AND A POSSIBLE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SHOP), do I seem to be doing everything else ok?

I would copy this and post it in the shelled section more people would probably see it there. I know nothing whatsoever about turtles, but I know UV-C is very harmful.... I would take it out till you double check, a little while without light should do no harm till you find out for sure. If its like other reps should be UV-B.
I would also suggest an urgent vet trip. Good luck with them.

__________________
RedGex

1.0 Iguana
A lot Leopard geckos
2.2 Bearded dragons
2.8 Royal pythons
1.1 Cali Kings
2.0 Ferrets
2.1 Dogs
3 fish
0.1 amazing beautiful Panther Chameleon

Also, the bulb will be legal , i thinks its for sterilising marine setups or something... again not sure! Any good rep shop should stock appropriate UV-B bulbs.

__________________
RedGex

1.0 Iguana
A lot Leopard geckos
2.2 Bearded dragons
2.8 Royal pythons
1.1 Cali Kings
2.0 Ferrets
2.1 Dogs
3 fish
0.1 amazing beautiful Panther Chameleon