General Care Discussion

Hi everyone,
I posted this on another turtle forum as well but figured, the more people read this, the more help I can get! :wink:

I need your help in figuring out how I can make a DIY ramp for my turtles' basking deck? Reason being is that the cooter (who got plump over the last week -we have them now since ~3 weeks; they're both barely 2" big) manages to get onto the basking deck (it's an Italian brand, Haquoss, can't even find much info online about it ..) it takes her [for now we treat her as if she's a girl] several attempts and I honestly have the feeling many times she gets discouraged and swims away and stays in the more shallow water of the other faux rock area (where the UVB light doesn't reach though!)... The YBS is half the size of her (shell wise in height) and has no problems getting on the dock, so I was thinking of making something myself. (I've seen ZooMed has some nice docks where the ramp submerges into the water -which would be ideal and I'll probably get it, but mail takes ~2-3 weeks to get to us, so I need something for the meantime!)
Also, she's very shy/skittish and often when she just managed to get onto the deck and I pass the aquarium, she rushes back into the water and I hate knowing that she struggles so much to get back on. (Her shell looks like a Pyramid and I've heard some say that it's also possibly caused by not enough UVB light, so I'd really like to help as much as I can for her to get onto the basking deck!)

Right now I used the biggest leaf of a Romaine lettuce that I could find and kinda propped it like a ramp, but it's obviously not very stable and eventually Shelly (the cooter) will have eaten it up and I'll have to remove it latest by tomorrow again.

So, my question is, what can I use that I'd possibly even have in the house? I assume it must be something with a slight grip for her tiny claws?

I'd appreciate any idea! Thank you!

Here's a pic of the aquarium (it cleared up by now; it was taken 1-2 days after we got the big tank) -the light fixture will be improved soon too with a ZooMed 18" aquarium hood. The dock isn't very visible, sorry..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/F ... tch009.jpg

Just taking a shot in the dark here, but wood? Actually i heard tree bark works good too.

Yeah, I guess that'd work.. I'd only also have to order it as the 2 pet stores that are here in our area don't have any of that. (One store didn't even have any basking decks or other turtle items..)

My husband said he could probably fix something onto the existing deck we have.. something that goes a little further down into the water like a 'ladder', with something put on top that gives 'grip' for the turtle's claws..
Thank you for your input though!:)

I'm still curious to hear others' opionions too!

Anyone?

I would just change basking docks as the floating kind are very limited in there usefulness. If I had to try something temporary, maybe some shelf liner attached with zip ties.

If you want to make a new one, you can use pvc pipe, fittings and tile to create a platform. Or you can silicone a pane of glass in there to create a leveled basking area. Cork bark works great and looks very nice in a tank.

If you're willing to buy one, look into an acrylic dock or a resin platform... images below:

The pyramiding might be form a lack of UVB, calcium or from irregular feedings.

Thank you, Steve! I appreciate your input!

I use the acrylic one... works like a charm.

To give a quick update; after lowering the water level, the deck automatically lowered in an angle due to how the suction cups are attached and Shelly has no problem whatsoever now anymore to get on!

*yay*

General Care Discussion :: DIY ramp for basking deck? My cooter needs help to get on!

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