General Care Discussion :: Dry docking

[kikicool]

So, once I finish treating lily and Herman with a sulfadip, I'd like to try dry docking them so that they are basking longer.

I have pH testers, I'm fastidious about cleaning, I test for nitrites and ammonia etc. and their diet consists of pellets and veggies, with, once every two weeks or so, a little bit o natural shrimp treats. So I have to assume the shell problems I'm seeing are due to not drying out. (this weekend I'm making one of those out of enclosure areas for them to bask!!)

How does one go about dry docking? for how long? And what do I put in the little dry dock area? I mean, can I just use a hamper and put some light in there? Maybe a little shady area? Do they need drinking water? Thanks!

[DavidY]

I would definitely provide shade so they can cool off if necessary (thermoregulate) otherwise they could overheat from the basking light. Others have said they can go fine 8 hours out of the water, but I doubt you'll need to go that whole time. Maybe 3 hours out, then let them back in for a swim (and to eat) for like 15 minutes, then another 3 hours out, etc. I'm not a turtle expert by any means, but that's probably what I would do. Hopefully one of the "top dogs" will know better.

[SpotsMama]

I'm definitely no "top dog" but when I've "dry docked" Spot I've put him in a dry rubber tub overnight. It has towels on the bottom and I put a towel over the top and put him in a quiet safe place and he just sleeps.

A little off topic, sorry, but since I switched out Spot's zoo med turtle dock for one of the acrylic docks (the diving board type) he's been basking a lot more. He's basking 8 or 10 hours a day. He used to do 3 or 4 hours a day. I hope it's not a sign anything's wrong. I don't know why it's made such a difference to him. I sure don't worry about him not drying out enough any more.

[grey goose]

Depending on the turts disposition, dry docking can be stressful. I'd only use it as a last resort. Try adjusting the basking light to change the basking temp a degree or two up or down to see if that helps. I've also noticed that as a bulb ages, the temp seems to fluctuate more and more.
All three of my little guys seem to be basking less, especially Gomie. Maybe it's the change of seasons?

[DavidY]

That's a good point. Around here, the painted turtles bask a lot between late spring and mid summer. After that, you almost never see them again until the next year.

[grey goose]

I just spotted a few Eastern Painteds basking in a fresh water creek not far from the salt marshes.....spring is definitely here, I think my guys just don't know it yet.

[SpotsMama]

It just hit me that at the same time I changed out Spot's basking platform I lowered his water temperature a couple of degrees. It's now reading at 73 degrees. Maybe it's the greater difference in temperatures that's got him so motivated. He's really acting like he feels good these days, he just likes to bask a lot.

[steve]

My dry dock area (which I use far more often than I'd like) is about the dimensions of a twin sized bed. I have it "carpeted" (it's the stuff from a 99¢ store) and there is a MVB light there. There is also some cover in there and old, but clean clothes for them to dig through and climb on.

Now, if you want them to sleep... which I sometimes do when I'm waiting for their tank water to warm up, keep it very dark and quiet. If you want them to bask, then you need to give them privacy. I sometimes use a normal lamp in addition to the MVB, both directed to the center of the dry dock area. As mentioned, there are some clothes there (they like to climb it) and they will bask if they feel like it. Good luck.

Oh, check for poo and pee. The poo can make a huge mess of they climb over it and it'll get spread all over the carpet.

[pitym]

I am confused, isn't dry docking the same as forced basking? I asked about that on another thread and the reply was that it is not good to force bask b/c they could burn if not careful. From this thread I am getting the hint that I can take the turts out and let em dry out for awhile since I never see them bask anymore.
Steve.... why do you dry dock?
thanks

[DavidY]

I don't have any experience with this but it sounds like with dry docking the turtle has the ability to get out of the light so he can still cool off if needed, and also cover for him to feel safe or hide in. Forced basking is not recommended if it involves blocking them from getting back into the water from their basking platform. They have no way to hide or get out of the heat.

[SpotsMama]

I thought "dry docking" was just like it sounds - give them a chance to dry out. Some of the bad bugs that cause shell rot can only live in a damp place. Doesn't have to be in the light.

[DavidY]

But during the day, wouldn't you still want to provide the turtle a basking light so he can warm up if he needs to (as well as shade so he can cool off)?

[SpotsMama]

Perhaps. I have just think of "dry docking" was having a narrower meaning - just take the turtle out of the water so he can dry off. If it so happens that you're dry docking for an extended period during the day then it would make sense that you'd want to provide light and warmth.

I know sometimes if a turtle has had a physical injury he has to be kept out of the water for an extended period except to hydrate and eat. Then the dry docking would be extended and I suppose you'd want to provide the light so he could warm up and digest his food etc.

I was first told about dry docking when I was complaining on here about my turtle's shell problems. The person who responded (a very good one called reptilegirl from Houston) said I should let Spot spend the night outside his tank so he could dry off real well - and she called it "dry docking". I think it would be less stressful for the turtle to do his "dry docking" at night so he could sleep through it.

[pitym]

I think I understand. I just don't think my turtles have been out of the water for any long period of time each day. They are in the water when I am home, also when my kids are home from school. I have a huge basking dock, but I may get the acrylic one like Spotsmama, just for a better ramp access to it. I am currently using the zoomed as a lower dock to climb on to the bigger one so maybe they are not getting a good grip. I think later today I will like a box with towels and just let them out to dry off. Thanks to you all!!

[DavidY]

Yea, I'm probably going to do the same for my female. I always see the little males basking but I've only actually seen her bask once.