All Turtles Message Board

melsmom · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 4:03 pm Post subject: rocks vs. suction basking dock

I have beach type rocks in my tank but i think too much poo/food, etc settles at the bottom. Someone on these forums mentioned suction cup docks. Are those at Petco or Petsmart? How close (or far) from a basking light should one of those docks be?

I just read a review about the floating docks and most said that the docks don't support well and/or the turtles eat them! so ...I saw some positive comments about the Kordon Turtle Ramp. Any thoughts?

thank you!!

ryanandsuzyro · Level 3 Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 207

I have the zoomed floating dock. It works great. Tucker loves it. And it leaves tons of space on the tank since it doesn't take up volume, just surface space. Sides, Tucker can hide under it. I have the small one, there are two bigger sizes. My buddy Anthony has had luck with them too. *shrugs*

My friend Al simply made a basking area out of clear PVC plastic. There's a ramp for Turtle the turtle to climb up, and then an entire space above the water to bask in. It doesn't take up volume, just surface space. Lots of options. And these won't potentially fall and trap/crush a turtle!

brownmc · Level 2 Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 27

The docks work pretty well. I can't use them anymore because my turtle is so big, she just sinks it. When I had it though I kept the heat light about a foot or so from the dock. The best way to tell is take your tanks thermometer and put it on the dock under the light and see how hot it gets. I think somewhere around 90 is good, if its too cold the turtles won't really use the dock other than to take a break from swimming. If the temp isn't right then you can just move the lamp closer or further until its right.