1 year old red eared slider

Question
QUESTION: ok. my 1 year old red eared slider, Luey, has been under the weather lately. i don't think he needs to be taken to a vet because he has been like this for about 4 months now. every time i do something different in order to help him, it works. but not for long. i need to do something for him that will make him healthy and keep him that way. ok heres the problem: Luey's shell is always VERY dry. even when hes swimming in his tank, it still looks dry!?!?!?! now though, it is starting to have a little of white coloring to it. but he is still the same old Luey, nothing different at all. also, there is a floating landing i have for him. and, crazy as it sounds, that's starting to look like his shell. i have him in a good 5" of water and proper lighting. but about the water. is it ok if i use tap water? but i let it sit for 3 days before i give it to him. please help me?!?!?!?

ANSWER: Hi Leah I am going to ask you a few questions as well and this will assist me to tell you waht I think.

Are you using UVB , heat, filtration?

The turtle size?

Ok, The water should be 3 times as long as the turtle is. So if he was on his back legs standing straight up the water should be 3 times that. So if it is 5 inches, water should be 15.

Also he needs uvb, heat and filtration. the continue changing water isnot good for him either/.

It sounds as if he has a fungal infection and this will require a vet IF it is as you describe that he matches his dock. That means the fungus is deep and under the shell. This also can cause issues with future growth and needs to be addressed.
You can send me a picture of the shell and Ill look closer however at this time by what you said, Id go with fungal infection.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: to answer your questions, he's only 1 inch and a half (1.5") and yes, i am using UVB and heat. im just not using filteration because i thought he was too young for that. hahah thats why your the expert. and is it ok if i use tap water? as long as its been sitting for 3 days?

Answer
Ok he is still baby yet :)   Lets get the water to about 4 or 5 inches. THen yes you can use a filter and tap water is ok if you use dechlorinator. and Im not sure what other chemicles you have in the water but you have to remove anything harmful.

You can technically have it sit for 24 hours and it is fine.

Thank you for the question and if i can help more let me know,.