Habitat - Indoor :: Basking dock suction problem

[tissigirl]

I've had my basking dock for about a year now. Yesterday I noticed Mr. Turtle struggling to get up on the dock. I looked closer and noticed that the suction cup on the top right was not attached, so he couldn't get his balance to get up there. I went to fix it, but he was freaked out after he saw my hand by his face and swam away. Then (of course) he started begging for food!

I had difficulty getting it to suction again. I finally got it a little wet on the back and it's holding ok now. But after that he was too nervous to try to bask again. I felt bad for him! He's up there just fine today though. The funny part was he was so ticked at the suction thing that he was biting the pole out of anger! LOL

So has anyone else had this issue happen to them? It's been great with no problems until this. I'm worried it will start to mess up again in a few days.

[steve]

I would take the suctions cups off and clean them as best you can. They get a grimy buildup that you should be able to wipe off. Also clean the tank surface as well. If that doesn't work, which happens when the suction cups lose their form, you should be able to buy replacement suction cups (well, I've seen them for heaters...)

[missibsu]

We have the same problem with the suction cups that hold sun catchers in the windows. I think it has something to do with getting dried out. If it was the suction cup that is out of water it could be the same thing. Usually just rinsing it off good, and getting it wet will help it stick again.