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Check out this basking area!

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 1:52 pm
by Brianthedog18
Check out this new turtle dock I found! I'm sure someone probably found this already, but I just saw it and I ordered it friday! It should be here soon, so I'll tell you how it works out.
I didn't order it from this website, because the site is a little on the expensive side, but this picture was just better. Obviously the pic is using it in a terrarium, but it's made for aquariums too. Has anyone ever used these before?
I can't wait till it gets here!!

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 2:21 pm
by Spookster
A link to it maybe?

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 3:23 pm
by Brianthedog18
LOL I completely forgot!! haha here you go:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 006+113872
Sorry about that!


Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 3:52 pm
by cam722
That's the turtle ramp/dock I use..


Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 4:30 pm
by steve
...and how do they/you like it? I've seen this and another version before but I wondered how well it worked.

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 5:09 pm
by missibsu
I'm curious as to how well it supports a heavier turtle. I have one of the zoo med docks and have heard people complain about it sinking with heavier turtles. Worried about the future.

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 5:41 pm
by BROOKLYN
I have one similar to that but it doesn't work well on large turtles. For small turtles up to 3 inches, it works really well. My turtle Survivor (6inches in shell) had difficulty getting up there. He had to figure out to use the upper ramp to pull himself up; and he was struggling. The basking area also depresses down when he got up there. The space is also very small for larger turtle as they can't use the upper ramp like smaller turtles can. It isn't really roomy at all. I'm currently using the ZooMed (large) turtle dock for him now until I built a basking area. I find the ZooMed dock absolutely worthless. The algae gets out of control, it sinks for my one turtle that actually uses it, and it is extremely fragile and can break easily. I seriously don't recommend it as a long term solution. My two smaller turtles uses the dock you are asking about and it works perfectly. I bought the similar one on ebay for $15 or so. I'm guessing the size was about 12(L)x7(W)x4(H). Remember that the width isn't exactly 8 inches and it is divided into two ramps.

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 5:56 pm
by missibsu
I have heard a lot of people complain about the zoo med docks being fragile, and worthless, but I have had mine for awhile now and I love it. The algae does grow on it really well, but it isn't anything that the toothbrush can't scrub off. I still recommend it for people who are starting out will small turtles, but I understand that long term it isn't the best.

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 6:34 pm
by Brianthedog18
hmm Brooklyn, that's strange, the reviews on the product said it worked well for people with 6 or 7 inch turtles. Maybe you can set it up so there is more floor space, I'm not sure. I'll let you know when I get it, because my turtle is almost 5 inches now.
Cam, how do you like it?

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 9:26 pm
by BROOKLYN
Brianthedog18 wrote:hmm Brooklyn, that's strange, the reviews on the product said it worked well for people with 6 or 7 inch turtles. Maybe you can set it up so there is more floor space, I'm not sure. I'll let you know when I get it, because my turtle is almost 5 inches now.
Cam, how do you like it?
Don't get me wrong, the turtle dock is probably the best one that's out there. However, it doesn't last long and is very fragile. Eventually, it will start sinking into the water and your turtle wouldn't be completely dry at all. The algae, although not harmless to your turtle, does get out of control and it looks nasty. The reason why I like it is because it's long and roomy for my turtle to climb up easily (got the large @ BigAls online), but don't expect it to last very long. That is why I've been looking at building an over the top basking area for my turtle.

Posted:
Sun May 14, 2006 11:34 pm
by cam722
Well I love it.. and the turtles seem to like it.. it holds 2 4+" turtles with no problem at all. There are a few "levels" so they can each stretch out and be comfy. I like it a lot better than the zoo med docks I had... the only down side to this is that it doesn't float and adjust to the changing water levels, but the ramp is so long that it really isn't a problem although it's a plus in that it stays out of the water and they completely dry off. Oh and it's very easy to clean


Posted:
Mon May 15, 2006 7:54 pm
by marisa
I've read of keepers liking it, but their turtles weren't that big. Does that green material come off at all?

Posted:
Mon May 15, 2006 8:22 pm
by cam722
Nope, it doesn't. It's rather sturdy too it takes some work to get it unstuck from the side of the tank. So it handles both turtles rather easily at this point.

Posted:
Tue May 16, 2006 5:08 am
by reptilegrrl
Regarding the Zoo Med Dock- I have had it since 2004 and it is working great. It does not sink in the water. It DOES get algae, but that easily comes off with a blast from the water hose.
The first Zoo Med dock I bought was cracked, so I exchanged it and this one has been fine. I did have a problem with my turtle eating bits of it, but he has stopped doing that, and it didn't make him sick.
This other dock looks good, but I am not sure how well it would really work. I guess you have to keep an eye on the water level at all times.

Posted:
Tue May 16, 2006 1:37 pm
by grizz4me
CAM I saw this on another web site and was interested in it also. Do you have any pictures of it in your tank?