Feeding and Nutrition :: Cuttlebone Issues

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Hey all,
I've had my baby RES for almost two months now. She is healthy and happy. Her diet consists of turtle pellets and romaine lettuce. I've been giving her pieces of cuttlebone ever since I got her but she just dosen't seem interested.

I've tried putting some tuna water on them and brushing crickets and pellets with "cuttlebone dust". She refuses to even touch anything having to do with cuttlebone. Therefore, it usually just ends up dissolving at the bottom of the tank. Is this ok? I assume she's drinking the water so that she'll still be getting the calcium - but does anyone have any other suggestions on how I can turn her into a calcium lover?

Thanks

[Kemul]

I think your turtle is still too young to "enjoy" cuttlebone. It's alright to keep
offering the cuttlebone in headsize chunks. The the time comes, your turtle will
eat it. As a hatchling, I think a RES needs more protein than calcium. The pellets
contain calcium already anyways.

Dissolved cuttlebone will make the water a little harder, that's all. The effect is
that you'll get waterline marks on the sides of your tank. The turtle should be
just fine.

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Thanks Kemul.
My filter has been doing a god job keeping the waste at bay, and i'm using a water conditioner so I think it'll be ok. I'm just gonna keep offering cuttlebone pieces and maybe she'll come around. If anything, it'll get her used to cuttlebone for when she really needs it.