Eggshells in water?

Question
One day I discovered these white broken egg shell-like pieces floating around in my turtles (RES) tank. We have two turtles (both around 6" long), but I don't think those are their eggs because my sister told us that turtles' eggs shells are hard but her pieces were kind of soft and balloon-textured. When I was cleaning up the pieces there were these orange-ish clumps and my dad thinks that's the yolk of the eggs. This happened for another 2 times and now I'm getting really worried because I'm afraid that it's sick. Please help me!

Answer
Hi Cyndy,

It sounds like your turtle laid eggs in the water; an RES will lay in the water if there's no land area to build a nest.  If the pieces were soft, though, it sounds as though your turtle is deficient in calcium, and this is cause for concern.

If you have a male and female together, they should be separated.  The male will continue to mate with the female and she'll continue to lay, which will further deplete her body of calcium.  Incubating RES eggs is a bad idea because they're already a throwaway pet and there's too many in rescue as it is.  They're very prolific breeders and it's just not easy to find good, forever homes for them.  So I don't recommend trying to get babies from the eggs.

RES need very large tanks--at least 150 gallons for a male/female pair.  Tank size is important because they need the room for exercise and a larger tank makes it easier to maintain high water quality.  You also need a good external canister filter, and a source or basking heat and UVB.  UVB is also important because it allows them to metabolize calcium.  If you don't have a UVB light, that may be one cause of the thin-shelled eggs.  I'd recommend getting a ZooMed Powersun bulb, which provide both heat and UVB in one bulb (they do need to be replaced yearly).  They also need a varied diet that includes both animal protein, pellets, and greens (not just lettuce, but turnip, mustard, collards, kale, dandelion, etc.).  Put a cuttlebone in the water so they can nibble on it for extra calcium.  If you have a yard, you might want to consider putting together an outdoor pond for them.  

It sounds like your turtles may need some improvements in either their tank or their diet.  I'm going to link some care information below that will help you further.  Please read it over carefully and make any improvements you need to.  Good luck!

http://redearslider.com
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/care.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/waterquality.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/housing.htm