Habitat - Indoor :: Cork Bark

[superkeener]

I was thinking about getting some cork bark, i was just wondering how I could keep it ledged under the basking lamps and if it would hold the weight of the 4" RES?

[DanielRES1180]

Try using the Zoomed docks as an inspiration. Drill holes in the cork bark and use suction cups joined to sticks to hold it in place. Probably a considerable chunk will do, my dock holds all three 3'' RES. Maybe the size of the medium-sized Zoomed dock, roughly 8 by 6 inches, not counting the ramp (another 4'').

[missibsu]

You could drill just one hole in it and attach a string to a suction cup looped through the hole. I had to do that with my first dock.

[marisa]

You could buy a piece slightly larger than the width of your tank and just wedge it in between the sides.

[DanielRES1180]

Is corkbark really that flexible? I think corkbark is really prone to that type of stress (bending, flexing, turtles on it, etc...) I don't have confidence in corkbark, why I would go with Zoomed docks.

[marisa]

A number of keepers do this (and it looks nice). And by slightly larger, I do mean slightly larger.

[WeTheTurtles]

I used a large piece of cork bark (20'' x 12'') and sawed it down to be just barely bigger than the width of the tank. The bark is not very flexible at all, so you have to be careful not to break it when you're putting it in. But once you get the size right, it's great - it has a built-in ramp function because it is naturally curved, so part of it is submersed and they can get on easily. Both of my 4-5 '' turtles get on there easily. It also makes a funny noise when they get on and off, so you can always hear when there's basking action going on! Plus, it has a great look - very campy.
-Lisa

[BullDog]

Where do you get cork bark? Do the pet store usually carry it? Or do you need to get it from a specialty store?

[DanielRES1180]

Dunno, maybe they sell it at a craft store or something.

[WeTheTurtles]

I got mine at this site:

http://www.herpsupplies.com/subcategory.cfm?id=13&sub=86

They sent it to me really quickly. When you're ordering, you can put in the "special notes" section that you want a particular dimension, and they will try to find the right size piece.
-Lisa

[BullDog]

Hmm, The prices are reasonable, but the problem is I live in Canada, so the shipping cost is more than the bark itself xD