Habitat - Indoor :: help with basking spots

[divinity]

please help I'm getting my turts next week and I still havent got a basking spot. According to the advice from other members floatinf platforms aren't good. I was wondering if this product can work

link = http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp

it says For frogs, newts and turtles. Filter combines filtration and decoration. Designed for easy placement in any corner of your aquatic terrarium -- ideal for shallow water terrariums with 4 - 6 inches of water. The powerful 90 gallons per hour pump provides three-stage filter performance (mechanical, chemical and biological) to keep your aquatic environment healthy. Filters up to 55-gallon shallow-water aquatic terrariums.

but to the top its 8 inches tall can my hatchlings crawl to the top? as a basking area?

please help

[missibsu]

Floating basking areas are actually recommended. The link that you provided doesn't work, so I'm not sure what you were looking at.

Here is the dock that I use http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... 36842&Ne=2

Some people have had problems with these, with the material breaking off in chunks. I've never had this problem, but those who have were able to return them for a better product.

[steve]

Divinity, that link didn't work for me... can you repost it and describe your tank for us?

[divinity]

k its a 55 gallon tank and i'm getting 1hatchling. link= http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_ ... 35927&Ne=2 its a filter /decor/slash basking spot I wonder if the hatchlings are gonna be able to get to the top

[missibsu]

If you read the explaination, it says for shallow water, not greater than 4-6 inches of water. With a 55 gallon tank, you are going to want more water than that. With a hatchling at first, you may not want to fill it completely, but I think you should still have more than 4-6 inches of water. I'd still do the dock that I recommended in the link above, or browse the photo gallery for other options. There are other docks out there that are more practical than that. The top doesn't look very big and it's won't take long before your turtle is too big to fit up there.

[tissigirl]

I use the same one that Missi uses. My turtle is probably one of the largest here (5 1/2 inches or so last time I measured him) and it works for him. It's getting a little small now the larger he gets, but it still works for him. I have heard some people on here have issues with them, but i've been using it for over 2 years now with no problems. I've had to keep the bottom suction cups very clean or they don't work, but that's really no big deal.

[tissigirl]

Oh, and the other good thing about this dock is that it's not too expensive. So even if it only lasts a couple of years it's not going to break the bank to replace it.

[GPRenegade]

I would reccomend a seperate dock and filter. The one you posted looks tobe pretty bad quality, I'd read the reviews before considering buying it.

[SpotsMama]

I've used the floating dock that Missi uses too for several years and it's been good. HOWEVER, I don't use the suckers on the bottom which would be under water. The suckers at the top which are out of the water will hold the dock in place. Not having it anchored at the bottom allows for some movement in case a little turtle gets stuck between the dock and the glass so he can escape. Otherwise it seems kind of dangerous to me.

[missibsu]

My bottom ones don't stay attached because the turtles knock it loose. SpotsMama is right, they don't have to be used. With two four inch turtles, mine is secure!

[tissigirl]

With my turtle I have to use the bottom suction cups. When they get dirty and don't stick anymore Mr. Turtle has trouble getting up on it. Granted he's over 5" long so he's pretty heavy. Smaller turtles may not have this issue. Once he gets on the dock it's fine, it's just getting up that's the issue without the bottom suction cups.

[SpotsMama]

My "little" turt's probably bigger than yours, tissigirl, he's over 6". Even the super size zoo med dock was sinking under his weight, so I got another smaller dock, cut it up in pieces and glued the pieces to the bottom of the big dock with aquarium silicone to give the big dock more buoyancy, and it works!

[missibsu]

You know, I think it's interesting to hear people like you, SpotsMama, talk about a 6 in turt that sinks the dock. I can get over how a 6 inch turt would sink the dock, but not 2 four inch turts...doesn't make sense to me. Have any thoughts on that one? I didn't take a physics class in college, lol.

[SpotsMama]

It's probably Spotty's big ol' heart of gold!

Seriously, Spot's not only long, he's thick too. I don't recall him being thick when he was a four incher. Probably adds to the volume of turtle and therefore the weight.

I didn't take physics in college...but I did in high school.

I know one way to tell - we could weigh our turtles and compare. Spot's slowed down for the night right now so I'll do it tomorrow.

[missibsu]

I'll have to make a note to do that. I've got a lot of stuff going on right now, but I'll get to it!