All Turtles Message Board

TurtlesRock · Guest Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

Hi folks!

My turtle is roughly 11 years old and is at least 8 inches long, upwards of 9... She's quite heavy.. I haven't weighed her, but she's a good solid weight, very healthy and active in her 75 gallon aquarium.

I have been using these turtle docks that I bought from PetSmart or PetLand, and they worked out fine until she got past 6 inches. Now she seems to break them or the suction cups fall right off the side due to her weight. And that's IF she can manage to balance on the things, which are too narrow. She keeps tipping into the water! And I wake up in the morning with the dumb dock floating around the tank like a raft. Sad

The one I was using is a "large" sized one from here: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752662&cp&kw=dock&origkw=dock&sr=1

Does anyone know of a way I could build her a dock or platform that's fit to her size? What kind of materials could I use?

I used to have an upside-down sqaure bucket (I know this is very "junky" but I was a kid...) that was weighed down with heavy rocks, and she really loved that actually. The problem with it, is that it trapped too much algae and grime, so it had to be scrubbed all the time.

What I'm thinking of doing is getting a piece of plexiglas that takes up 1/4 of the end of the tank like a shelf, and using aquarium glue to fit it in. Then I'll have a small lip on the water-side, which will be up about 1.5 inches, so I can keep some rocks on the shelf. I'm worried that the aquarium glue won't be strong enough though, so I might also add some PVC columns below the shelf at locations that won't trap her.

I don't know if these materials are toxic though, so I'm researching that. Has anyone done something similar for the big turtles out there? Smile

OH! And I know I posted a similar question about 1.5 yrs ago here. I didn't want to bring up an old thread so I figured I'd start a new one. I read over the old posts from my old thread and I'm looking into some of the suggestions, but more suggestions are always appreciated! Very Happy

Jdude101 · Level 3 Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 191 Location: Georgia

i was going to do this as well but i decided not to because if you ever have to change the water leve, you would have to unglue it and it could be pretty annoying. i really cant tell you buch about the dock, since both of mine weigh nothing and are babies. however imine came withough a suction cup, so i just tied it to a nail. i dont know if yours would chew through it, but mine dont

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

My Tucker isn't that big yet but is starting to sink the biggest Zoo-Med basking platform. My friend Al created a basking platform for his adult slider, Turtle, using real glass and waterproof silicon. Assuming you have a water level you're happy with (fairly high in a 75 gallon for a big turtle, I imagine), it should work no problem.

It's similar to what you described wanting to make. Flat glass, then it comes up in a lip, then an angled piece going into the water for use as a ramp. He filled it with rocks and such for warmth. There was no need for any additional support. I plan to do the same shortly, though I'll use plexiglass vs real glass and add in some digging material for him. I think the key is making sure the ramp section will be in the water even as the water slowly lowers due to evaporation or filter-use or slight changes from whatever.

I-LOVE-TURTLES · Level 3 Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 262 Location: My House

Tim is starting to sink the Zoo-Med basking rock also. But my dad is going to build a Plexiglass "contanier" basking area on top of my 55gallon tank.
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TurtlesRock · Guest Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

Hey folks, thanks for the ideas! I haven't heard of zoo-med, but I have a feeling my poor turtle is too big too. Sad

As for the water level, I pretty much always have it at the same level. She's very comfortable with the depth and it should be good for her until I buy her a new aquarium when she grows another 3ish inches or so. I figure that will be at least a year so I thought I might as well go for it.

ryanandsuzyro, did your friend glue rocks to the ramp or use that flourite substrate that can be hardened on top (for texture) or is it free floating rocks in the platform?

I think the ramp is a very good idea with the evaporation and minor water fluctuations too. I'm going to draw up some plans, take some measurements... I'm excited more than Morla (my turtle)! Wink

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

There are just rocks in the basking area, nothing glued down. I suppose you have lots of options.

I scoped Home Depot today. Sheet of plexiglass is about 20-30 bucks depending on quality with likely enough material to make what I think will be three parts - main flat area, lip, ramp. Apparently it's very easy to cut. They had a plastic cutter right by it and directions, no power tools required. Then you just need some waterfood silicone adhesive. Plumbing aisle.

What I intend to do is make a "box" and fill it with material Tucker could dig into. I think 10" long, then a two inch vertical piece at the end to create the "box", then finally a ramp coming off that into the water. I was looking in a turtle book and it showed many "box" style basking areas filled with rocks, real dirt. I'll get a large smooth stone so Tucker has one "main" area to bask on I think. Play around a bit. Seems easy enough.

Other than putting Tucker back in his 20 gallon tank for a day while everything sets in place. Oh, he'll be cranky. Of course he's usually cranky. Wink