Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What causes shell pits in false map turtles, besides ammonia burning? Also, what can I do to decrease the amount of ammonia in his tank? I already have a Whisper 20 on it (it's a 20L Natuary with about 6 gal. of water in it), and I change the water twice each week.

Nobody seems to have been able to demonstrate conclusive evidence of the source of the pitting but maps certainly do experience all sorts of shell probelms in captivity.
Interestingly several long time keepers and researchers have said that these problems go away after the turtles are kept outside for a few seasons.
I do think that unless you map is a tiny turtle, he needs more space.
One big contributor to the shell probelms in the maps i have kept is the nervousness of the turtles combined with the shallowness of aquariums.
We know that in the wild most map species prefer basking sites over deep water. When the scuttle off the logs in alarm, presumably they have a long way to go to the bottom to accomodate their high momentum. but in fish tanks they hit the sides and bottom far to often. I think these small denst and scars they get weakens the shell and opens it up to injuries.

So i'd get a deeper tank ans change the water as often as you can.
A monitor of pH may make a big difference too.
If the water is too acidic ther ar elikely to be more problems , i think.
My maps have always done better in alakaline water.