Habitat - Indoor :: Possible Shell Rot

[Drewet88]

After removing my turtle so I could start a deep cleaning of the tank and decorations I noticed something on my female turtle that I've never noticed while she was in the water. At first I thought it was just her starting to shed but I decided to put her in a rubbermaid to dry off so I could see what it looked like completely dry. While she was drying off I cancelled the deep cleaning and started doing some online research. I think its shell rot, it could be retained scutes, or it could be something different. Her shell feels hard and doesn't smell, there is another turtle in the tank that seems fine but he does have algae on his shell. Now I'm thinking about cleaning his shell to make sure nothing is hiding underneath it. I've never been to a local turtle specialist but I'll hunt one down if anyone says it is necessary. Now I am going to post some pictures and finish cleaning the tank. Should I start dry docking her? Should I clean her shell with a toothbrush and diluted vinegar?
EDIT: Her shell was smooth the last time I took her out the tank but that has been a few months and I don't remember anything like this outside her shell.

[steve]

This is most likely what I've described as a bacterial infection. Once the first or second layer sheds, the turtle is fine. Here is a more recent topic: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=34190&p=324901&hilit=bacterial#p324901

I would do very close and regular examinations of the shell. Firm, hard, no odors, no sensitive spots, no discoloration, no pits, no deep shedding, etc.

Has there been any changes to the tank prior to this? Decorations, additives, plants, lighting?

[Drewet88]

Thank you for your quick reply. The only thing that I changed was the divider in the middle, it is the lid to an old aquarium and its made out of plastic. I also added a new floating turtle dock. I've been wanting to build an above tank basking area and there is are plenty of places I can get different material to make a different divider if thats the problem.
Is there anything I can buy to use as a basking area these store bought suction cup ones don't hold up to well and seem to slowly sink daily.
They are in an 100 gallon aquarium and the lighting fixture holds 2 T8 bulbs. I have 1 Exo Terra reptile bulb and 1 normal light. Should I replace the normal light with another reptile bulb?
Do I need to dry dock the turtle or is it something I need to improve with her habitat, Both?

Thanks again
~Drew

[steve]

They have acrylic docks (I think Kordon makes a popular one) and I think people have used aquarium magnets (ones made for cleaning the glass) for additional support.

[Drewet88]

Thats a good idea I have a couple of glass cleaning magnets laying around I'll stabilize their dock with those for now. I'm also measuring the tank, I think I finally figured out a good design for an above tank basking area.

EDIT: I also changed the light bulb (in case its out of UV rays) since I read they need to be changed every 6-12 months regardless of still cutting on or not. I don't believe the light is a year old but just in case (I decided to start writing the date on them so I know how old they are).
I'm also trying to add some aquatic plants (hornwort and anacharis) in a small breeder box, I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate it into the above tank basking area so it looks like it belongs there. Hopefully it will help improve water quality while making it easier to feed aquatic plants.
I will also be removing about half the sand out of my tank. Its about 2-3 inches think I think I'll make it a thin layer about 1 inch thick.

Now I'm off to search the internet on other improvements I can make to their habitat.

[steve]

Sounds good, keep us updated!