General Care Discussion :: TURTLE DOCK

[hrly]

I have a red ear slider in a 55 gallon tank, I keep the tank a little over half full. She is out growing her large turtle dock. Can anyone give me suggestions on how to get her a dry place without using the floating dock. I want her to be up high enough to get under her basking light.
Thanks,
Hrly

[meltedspork]

You can make your own above-tank basking area, as many people on this site have done.

Two things though:
1) The water in your tank should be filled up as high as possible.
2) If your turtle has outgrown the largest size turtle dock, she is too big for a 55g tank. My turtle is 5 inches and fits very comfortably on the largest size turtle dock, so your turtle must be 6-7 or more inches. Your turtle needs a minimum of 10 gallons of water for each inch of shell.

[SpotsMama]

Cork bark makes an excellent basking area. Other options are acrylic docks and home made basking areas made with pvc frames.

The best solution for a (relatively) small tank like a 55 gallon is an above tank basking area. These are home made and can be very fancy or very simple (and inexpensive). The really neat thing about them is they let you fill the tank up with more water which give the turt more swimming room and keeps the water healthier. Here are some examples:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... sc&start=0

Be sure your light bulbs shine directly down on the basking area, be sure the turtle can dry off completely - top and bottom - when he/she's basking, and be sure he/she can't escape.

If you need more ideas for a very simple, inexpensive basking area, here's a clever example:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... 984#141984

I'd worry somewhat about a turtle's feet or nails getting caught in the holes in the "egg crate" in that last example.

[untsmurf]

To prevent nails being caught in the holes, you can cover it with shelf liner or a piece of plexiglas.

[sm02]

Cork, or a nice piece of floating driftwood. I also think you need a larger tank. If that sounds too expensive, try using a pond insert from a garden center as a temporary home til you can afford a tank. Your RES will be much happier

[Dein211]

stock tanks are nice i'm ( and i know i;ve been saying this FOREVER) saving up for a 110 gal stock tank for Rolo and its only 50 some odd dollars! plus if i can make a sort of stand with wheels cleaning will be super easy especially since they uaually have a drain.

[RaytheonLiszt]

ack! I wanted to use egg crate for a tank divider! What should I do now? Will my turt's feet or nails get stuck or will they hurt themselves? :-/

[JimmyJam]

ack! I wanted to use egg crate for a tank divider! What should I do now? Will my turt's feet or nails get stuck or will they hurt themselves? :-/

How big are your turts?

[RaytheonLiszt]

about a little more than 5 inches each...

[JimmyJam]

A little smaller than Crush, I think it would be fine as a divider. The spacing on the grate is only like 1/2" and your turtles foot itself is more than likely bigger than the opening. If you had smaller turtles I would say no.

[untsmurf]

As a divider, I wouldn't think it would be a problem. They shouldn't be climbing on it as it will be in the vertical position.