Dried Flower Expert

How long does it take for a Red-Eared Slider Turtle’s shell to heal?

About 2 weeks ago we rescued two red-eared slider babies, one from our swimming pool skimmer basket and one in our front yard. The one from the pool looked perfect, but the one from the front yard had dark patches on his shell. My question is how long should it take for these patches to completely clear up? Here are the details of what I have done so far:
I have done extensive research on caring for them, so I believe I have all of that in order. Special hatchling food, vitamin supplement, UV light, water conditioner, tank neutralizer fortified with calcium, a slow release ReptroGuard to help control diseases, high protein snacks. I am not keeping them in an aquarium tank but have set up a complex living area for them. I use a large plastic storage container for them to swim & play in. It this I have several wood pieces bought at pet stores and a plastic flexible branch for them to climb on and swim around, along with some large rocks that I place in there too. I cut off some leafy branches from my bushes and put two of those in each day to give them some real plant foliage to swim around and play in. I am not using a water filter, but putting in fresh water each day and cleaning it out at night. I feed them in a separate glass dish, again with clean water each time. I bought a little plastic reptile habitat as their basking area, added smooth rocks and a flexibranch for them to bask on under the UV lamp. I also have a rock type drinking water dish and keep a shallow bit of water around the rocks. They can put their heads or feet in the water, but their shells stay dry so they get the full effect of the light for about 10 to twelve hours a day. I have not been able to locate a reptile vet in my local area.
I have been using a Turtle Sulfa Dip and soaking Leo in this solution for 3 hours daily for 4 days now. The directions say to do this for 7 days.
In the two weeks that I have been caring for them, the dark patches appear to be getting lighter and smaller. Leo has grown too. He was much smaller than Mikey, but they are now the same size. His shell is hard, no soft spots at all. Both seem very healthy. They are playful, eat too good … are begging already and take the food from my finger! I even bought small hamster balls for them to run around in so that they could get plenty of exercise and be safe from my curious kitty cats. My question is how long should it take for these patches to completely clear up?
Click on this link to see a close-up photo. Leo is on the top and Mikey on the bottom. (The bright white spots are reflection from the light in the photos.)

https://home.comcast.net/~debbiejay/2TurtleShells.jpg

Thanks so much for any advice!
Debbie

its not unusual for turtles to have special markings. your turtle will grow out of it after a few months