Habitat - Indoor :: No turtle docks work for my big turtle

Turtle tank setups and other indoor configurations.

Post Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 11:10 pm   No turtle docks work for my big turtle

Hello,


I have a full grown female turtle and a smaller full grown male turtle in a 75 gallon tank and I can't find a dock that lasts. I tried zoomed, but they always eat it and the dock isn't strong enough to hold their weight. I even stacked multiple XL docks and they still don't hold them or the suction cups fail. I also tried another type which worked will for like 6 months but the suctions eventually fail as well. I have been having this issue for years and haven't found any good solutions which is surprising no one has a good dock available. I found this one which looks promising, https://www.labrinx.com/products/hangin ... 8546682907 but it's way too small and probably doesn't move with the water level. Thanks for your help!

docks I have used

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017 ... UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/OASIS-64226-Turt ... t-supplies
jonathan1683
 
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Post Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 12:14 am   Re: No turtle docks work for my big turtle

The strongest and longest lasting platform will be made of tile and PVC pipe. I've had mine for like 15 years and looks as if it were new. It's pretty inexpensive and easy to make. Picture located down here: http://www.redearslider.com/custom_platforms.html

You can also consider a cork bark basking area. You can easily cut it to size, but it's harder to source larger pieces and they will last only a few years.
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steve
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Post Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:29 am   Re: No turtle docks work for my big turtle

To save money work with what you have by adding to it using different safe materials and be creative. Before Hurricane Katrina took my Minnie ( female RES straight carapace length of 11” ) I made this. She was with our family over 30 years . Uncanny it's today 29th Katrina hit taking her and five other turtles from us.
Old dock and cork held together with no glue. I used 1/2” oak dowels cut to 10” for extra strength and held her with no problems. Cork was two pieces and about 3" thick , then a zoomed 2’x1’ extra large dock. Dry fitted to get what I wanted then doweled together for a 3’x5’ stock tank. Ended up with a 2’ x 2’10” DIY dock. Be creative for large turtles helps. Google for lots of ideas out there. Found a photo similar to what I done back then. When Katrina came took all , house too , so no original picture.
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Post Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 11:28 pm   Re: No turtle docks work for my big turtle

Thanks for the ideas, but I really didn't want to build one myself and cost isn't my main concern as I have already paid for like 6 docks just want one that works and my tank is too full of water to stack stuff in it. I ended buying another one on Amazon and I also emailed the company to ask about a larger sized dock and they said it will come out early next year. I think this smaller one should be in tomorrow so I will get some hands on time with it to see if it works and hopefully the turtles will figure something out. Physically looking at it I can't see where there might be an issue since its connected to the side of the tank.

Thank you,

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0746 ... UTF8&psc=1
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Post Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 8:33 pm   Re: No turtle docks work for my big turtle

I hope it works out for you! My RES didn't seem to like that kind of platform, but they are super picky :lol:
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steve
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Post Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 7:09 pm   Re: No turtle docks work for my big turtle

I didn't get it yet amazon screwed up, but hopefully. They are not picky at all they tear apart everything and get on top of anything. They stack on top of each other so if he's ok with using another turtle as a dock im sure he will use this :D
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Post Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:39 pm   Re: No turtle docks work for my big turtle

Keep an eye on the biting issues. Biting each other or anything hard in the tank can lead to injuries. I have to use cork (similar to the pic above) with my male RES because he chipped his beak from biting a resin platform in his tank. He bites the cork, but only small pieces come off.
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