Alligator snapper hatchling skin prob!

Originally Posted by turtlyawesome

It's hard tap water. They need soft water. I hate to say it will get worse and worse and the turtle will die. For some reason this issue has not been exposed. It will also make them lose scutes. It's time these truths are exposed.

Turtleawesome is right. It's because of hard water. I've had this problem as well and this issue really needs to be exposed more for alligator snappers and their owners. Do yourself a favor and dump all that water out. Go straight to your closest aquarium store and buy R/O water that has very soft water. Ask how hard their water is (the reading should be measured in ppm). If you already have a lot of mineral deposits on the sides of the tank I suggest you get a brand new setup like a Rubbermaid tub and put the new R/O water in there. You will not be able to get rid of the minerals from hard water that is stuck on your glass tank sides; it's permanently stuck there and when you add brand new water it'll just dissolve back into the water thus making the water really hard again. Just get brand new soft water from your aquarium store and a brand new Rubbermaid tub.