painted turtle,yellow/green eyes

Question

mable eyes   We have two painted turtles,a 4 year old and a 2 year old.The 2 year old has a layer of yellow/green film covering her eyes.It's kind of a thick soft layer.She hasn't been eating well since August.We have a 15 gallon tank that's cleaned every 2 weeks,a filter,bubbler,a big basking rock and tiny rocks and a table lamp for heat,the bulb is 60 watt and is about 8 inches from them.They are feed separately in another place.The 4 y.o. eats sun dried krill and food sticks about every other say , she is 3 and 1/4 inches .The 2 y.o. eats sun dried gammarus,she used to eat every other day too and is 2 and 1/4 inches.They were both about the size of a quarter when we got them(2 years apart)I do not have a thermometer in the tank ,I do know the water tends to be around 70-75.Our house got very cold at the end of August (normaly we heat it as soon as it gets cold but not at that time of year)that's when she started to change her behavior as if she was going to hibernate.For their water we use culigan tap water.

Answer
Hi Ladawn,

The problem is likely due to several factors, all of which can be corrected.  First, the tank you have them in is too small for even one tiny turtle.  Keeping them in a too-small tank compromises water quality and creates stress.  Second, the filter is probably inadequate for even the small tank that they're living in.  The basking area may be too small, and a 60 watt bulb isn't enough for basking heat (and there's no source of UVB).  Last, the diet isn't varied enough and doesn't include any greens.  

The first thing I would do is get them into a bigger tank.  When they're mature, you'll need *at least* a 100 gallon tank and if at all possible I would just get them an adult-sized tank now.  Otherwise, a 40-50 gallon tank will do for the next couple of years--but keep in mind that once they're healthy they will grow faster.  Then you need to get a really good filter (external canister) rated for higher than the tank capacity.  This is very important, because clean water means healthier turtles.  Get a basking platform that has plenty of space for both turtles to bask at the same time.  You need to provide a basking spot in the upper 80s to 90 degrees (measure with a good digital thermometer), and also a source of UVB.  You can either get an all-in-one bulb like ZooMed Powersun, or a separate UVB like the Reptisun 10.0.  The Powersun would need to be replaced yearly, and the Reptisun every six months.  You must provide UVB or the turtles won't be able to metabolize calcium properly and will develop bone and shell problems.

Their diet should consist of both animal and plant matter.  Pellets and dried food are OK as part of the diet, but they should also be getting fresh meat and greens.  A complete food list is included in the links below.  Also put a cuttlebone in the water so they can nibble it for extra calcium.

Your turtle's health should start to improve as soon as you make the changes I outlined above.  I would also recommend taking her to a good reptile vet to make sure there isn't an infection going on, but most likely the problems are due primarily to poor water quality and inadequate UVB and diet.  Good luck!

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-eastern_painted.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/articles/chrysemyscare.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/care.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/waterquality.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/housing.htm