Habitat - Indoor :: Ideas for a new (larger) basking dock

[kidzncatz]

"Tubby" has outgrown his basking dock (which is the Zoo Med LARGE floating dock.) I have been all over the web and can't seem to find anything larger than what I have. Tubs is so heavy and big that he cannot fit entirely on the dock anymore and I am concerned he is not getting to dry out properly. Are there any extra large commercial docks that I might not be aware of? Or is there a relatively simple way to build one myself? I'm not sure of the milk crate idea as I would need a way to enclose the ramp area- I'm afraid he might try an escape.

I thought about adhering a piece of plexiglass inside the tank for a more permanant fixture but am unsure about what kind of adhesive to use. At any rate, ANY ideas you all have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance your your help.

Amy

[SpotsMama]

When Spot got so heavy he was sinking the large Zoo Med dock, I got another dock, cut it up in pieces, and glued the pieces to the bottom of the original dock to give it buoyancy and it works.

There's a clear acrylic platform by Foster Smith (FosterSmith.com or other turtle supply providers) that some are using. It looks real nice. When Spot's dock gets too skanky and I have to change it out, I'm going to try one of those.

Some of the handy types have devised neat platforms using pvc pipe and tiles. If you'll use the search you can see them.

People have come up with a lot of creative solutions for the tubby turtles. They should pop up in a search.

Good luck!

[missibsu]

Using plexiglass is a possibility, although it can make cleaning difficult because it is permanent. You can use regular aquarium glue. See http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6372 for some ideas.

I've heard someone mention using a second large dock to reinforce the second one. So you would remove the suction cups and place two docks on one set of poles. I don't know how well this worked.

The other thing that you can do is build a moveable platform using pvc pipes and some non abbressive tiles. There are pictures in the photo gallery of this method as well.

Here's another option that people have used. Some people have extended the walls a bit further or even enclosed these to prevent escape. http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... 18&start=0

[marisa]

You also might consider corkbark as a possibility.

[industrial_girl_2000]

There's a clear acrylic platform by Foster Smith (FosterSmith.com or other turtle supply providers) that some are using. It looks real nice. When Spot's dock gets too skanky and I have to change it out, I'm going to try one of those.
Good luck!

I have the largest acrylic dock by Foster Smith & it does work for Sheba, but under her very heavy weight, it slid down the glass a bit (suction cups slide because of a tiny bit of algae.....grrr!!!) & I had to readjust the plaftorm every few days. One thing I found that helps keep it from sliding down the wall is to buy an _extra-large_ 2-piece magnet cleaner & put it underneath the bottom edge of the platform (below the piece of plastic with the suction cups....I'll try to post a picture soon to show you guys). The magnet cleaner I have is made for cleaning up to 350 gallon tanks, so it is made extra-strong for the extra-thick aquarium glass of very large tanks & sometimes is hard to use because it is strong. I have been using the magnet to help support the basking dock for the last week & so far it is *definitely* helping & the platform hasn't slid down at all. I am thinking of getting a 2nd magnet cleaner to give it even more stability!

[kidzncatz]

Thanks so much for your responses & ideas. I'll keep you posted!