Photo Gallery :: XXTRA LRGE basking dock anyone???

[camee1991]

Yeah he is very handy with power tools (but not with making docks..lol) I could save this and show him. I dont quite understand...but thats why I BUY platforms....lol Thanks for the info! I will show him!

And as for one I could BUY for the meantime...if anyone has ideas?! lol Thanks!!!

[untsmurf]

Holy craptastic that's a big turtle She looks very happy though

[industrial_girl_2000]

Oh my gosh, what a beautiful girl! I can sympathize with wanting to get a bigger platform....I still have the same large dock for Sheba & honestly if she was any bigger I'd be in the same situation as you.

I can't remember exactly when it was, but a while back someone built a basking dock out of PVC pipes (with some kind of acrylic piece on top for the turtle to sit on). It allowed the swimming space underneath but was still a very stable dock. I would imagine you would have to fill the pipes with some sand to keep it down (or whatever) but maybe this is something you could investigate at your local home-builder's store.

[marisa]

Corkbark. A nice big piece of corkbark.

[SpotsMama]

Here's another vote for corkbark

[industrial_girl_2000]

GreyGoose had a good idea for a basking platform. Read this:

http://redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6143

[camee1991]

Thanks ya'll...and Gooses' idea WAS cool, but I dont know if I want to glue something to the tank.... thinking about that.... and corkbark? Will that just float around everywhere? Is it stable enough for biggun' to get on and bask and move? I guess I havent ever seen cork like that before.

I seen the post of the piece of corkbark in the pond.....but it looked like a "log"? Is that right? And how does it NOT tip?

So many ?'s.....but I really DO thank You and Tobi girl will too!

[SpotsMama]

Hi - the corkbark in the pond was Spot's. It's not a log, it's just a sheet of bark that's slightly curved. It's thick - maybe two inches - and very buoyant. He wouldn't come close to sinking it. I think it's about 18" by 10" wide, or something like that.

I think Steve uses cork bark in his aquarium. I think he said he cut it to fit the diminsions of the aquarium and wedged it in to keep it from floating around. But it would be best to hear from him how it's working out!

[camee1991]

That sounds really cool, but how do they get on without a ramp? This may sound strange...but to a turt who has always had a ramp.....?! lol

[industrial_girl_2000]

Corkbark. A nice big piece of corkbark.

Marisa, where do you get a big piece of corkbark? I would like to have some handy just in case Sheba ever needs it (!).

[SpotsMama]

Spot's cork bark was from an online place called Black Jungle. Steve likes a place called LLL reptile better.

[camee1991]

Cool....I will look at both of these places also! Thanks Spots!

[steve]

The large piece I ordered from Black Jungle was only about 16" long. It's described as 13-18" on the site for $12.99. Their piece was very thick and a bit dirtier than the one I got from LLL Reptile, whose piece is described as 19-32" and is $16.99. The piece I received from them measures about 25".

If your tank is only about 18" wide, then I would call your order in to make sure it was at least 20" long. That way you can put it an incline inside your tank.

[camee1991]

Steve, I looked on both sites and the only corkbark I could find on LLL site was flatish stuff...and on the other site Spots metioned was the half moon shaped corkbark...that I suppose would hold weight better?

Also...Do you just wedge it in between the sides and end of the tank? And your turt just gets on at the low side and walks up to bask? Does she like it? And does it get her enough room to move around?

I just dont wanna get it and have her sink...or not be able to get on...or not be able to turn around like she loves to do. Ya know?

Info?! (Would love to see a pic if you have one with the bark Steve...if you wouldnt mind...)

[steve]

Black Jungle also sells "flat" pieces but I don't think it makes too much of a difference. I'm not sure which one SpotsMama bought.
I don't have direct experience with the cork in a glass aquarium. But I would get a piece that is slightly wider than the tank. If it gently pushes against the sides, it would help keep it i place. You can use suction cups from a hardware store (remove the metal hook) and use it to keep the bark in place. I'm not sure how strong those magnets are, but if they can hold up Kristen's Sheba, then they're pretty strong