General Care Discussion :: My turtles dangerous new hobby?

[Billy Black]

I have this kind of basking platform:

www.petdiscounters.com/mc_images/produc ... d_3070.jpg

(geez, that's a lot of turtles for one tank...)

But anyway, my turtle likes to swim through the little black bars underneath the platform. The part in between the bar and the glass, which is probably about an inch of space. He used to be able to swim through no problem, but he must've grown a little, since he's now having trouble squeezing himself through. Sometimes he has to back himself up to get out, which he seems to have a lot of trouble with. But he still seems to enjoy this hobby, since he does it constantly some days.

I'm afraid that when he gets a bit bigger, he's going to become completely wedged in there. And I might not be home to help him out.

Is there absolutely anything I can do to prevent this? Has anyone else had this problem?

[SpotsMama]

Yes. Lot's of people have had this problem/concern. It's a good basking platform but it is possible for a little one to get stuck.

But there are things you can do. Don't use the underwater suction cups - that will allow the plastic bars to move more easily. Also, someone turned the plastic frame upside down so the horizontal bar was above water. That sounded like a good idea.

[Crazymansun]

Haha, it's weird, RES seems to like to put themself into some tight space underwater.

[Muirner]

I did the turn it upside down trick, but that will only work for a short time longer. They still go between the vertical black bars. At their current size it isnt an issue. But as time goes on it may be.

To keep them out of that area i decided that what they were looking for was an in water resting place. SO i went out, and got a Tetra Water Wonder 4 pack for 13$. They have these "easy connect bases" so i took the plastic base that you bury under rocks off, and got a medium size suction cup, and it fits nice and snug. I put some plants on each end, just under water level. This gives them a "resting" area, as well as a sleeping area, (if they arnt on the dock)

[cprcheetah]

That's one of the reasons I made Zeke an above tank basking area, he wouldn't leave his dock on the wall of the tank and he's 7" so he has an above tank basking area. Much Much more relaxed in his tank now.

[Billy Black]

Ok, I'm going to flip the bar upside down, and I'm also going to look into getting something for him to hide in/rest on. I've been meaning to get something like that for a while now, but every time I see something, I think "no, he'll probably be able to get stuck in that". There doesn't seem to be anything with a wide enough opening, even for a tiny little turtle.

[SpotsMama]

It should be ok if you turn the bar upside down and don't put the suckers on the underwater part.

[DanielRES1180]

Yeah, I agree with just sticking the bars above water and leaving the underwater bars without suction cups.

Haha, it's weird, RES seems to like to put themself into some tight space underwater.

I know, isn't it. In the old tank I had my turts in, the basking platform was a giant aquarium rock that was level at the top. It had a little space the width of a credit card down towards the base, and one turtle would wedge himself in there just for kicks I guess.
My turtles also wedge themselves between the bars of my basking dock (a Zoo-Med dock). But the suction cups underwater don't stick that well and sooner or later the bars are loose from the bottom.

[Muirner]

Billy - Look into fake plants, if you get them attached to a suction cup you can put them on the side walls, this will be a "resting spot" and they wont get behind the bars as much (at least mine stopped)

[xsavingsaturdayx]

muirner where can i buy suction cups and how can i attach them to the plants?

[Muirner]

I'll take some pictures tomorow of how i did it. And show you a new picture of my tank.... EIK that means i need to find more rocks so it looks nice...

It's really easy i promise. 1 picture should show it.

The clear things on the bottom slide right out.. And then a medium sized suction cup (can be found at the hardware store. Just slide the metal ring off) and then attach the plant by pushing on. Bring one with you to determine the size. Then group a few together and arrange.. i'll take pics tomorow.

Why can i not get this image to link? I just dont get it, i can do it on every forum i'm part of...

[xsavingsaturdayx]

thanks muirner!

[mkoby]

My baby does the same thing! A couple of days ago I had to take him out to rearrange the tank. I put him back on the ZooMed dock because I have never seen him up there. That silly turtle would not turn around and enter the water. He insisted on going through the top bars on dry land just like he does under water. It was so funny to watch. He kept crawling on the glass until he turned himself sideways and fit! As for a hiding spot, my Squirt likes to try and crawl under the heater. He sticks his head under and I think he has the idea of I can't see you so you can't see me! I also have a live plant that he likes to sleep in. He's in there a lot!

[Muirner]

my turtles will chill in my amazon sward, but sleeping it is harder. They can sit on leaves but those are very easily moved. So i put in the fake plants because with the amount of plant there it will suppor them... For now.. Just because turtles come up at night for air i wanted to make it as easy as possible.

[Muirner]

xsavingsaturday, i will be attempting to post pictures in the photo section, check it out.