Habitat - Indoor :: Eating the Zoomed turtle dock.

[Rubicon]

I have a XL Zoomed turtle dock and my male RES is biting away at it. I left them in the care of my grandparents for a week, and in only a week there's a decent size area missing.

Is there anything I can do to stop this or do I need to construct one of plexi/acrylic?

[Raphulk]

take out the zoo-med dock, and start feeding your turtles some calcium (cuttlebone) works best found in the bird section of your local pet stores, or petsmart/petco

[jenaero]

I had the same problem, but I still use the zoo med dock. I make sure cuttlebone is offered regularly and they've stopped eating the dock. Haven't had a problem now in a couple of years.

[Rubicon]

What is this cuttle bone you guys speak of? Also can it touch water or will it start to dissolve?

[papoopeepoo]

cuttlebone is the bone of the cuttle fish, it's a great source of calcium. You can find it in nearly any pet store (in the bird supply section). In larger chunks it floats, and the turtles shouldn't have a problem chomping thru its soft texture. I feed my turtle a head sized piece once a week. He usually tears it up within minutes.

You can get visual directions on removing the bone backing (which can cause digestional cuts and other problems) here: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18320

[steve]

You can pick up an acrylic basking area, no need to make one

[Rubicon]

cuttlebone is the bone of the cuttle fish, it's a great source of calcium. You can find it in nearly any pet store (in the bird supply section). In larger chunks it floats, and the turtles shouldn't have a problem chomping thru its soft texture. I feed my turtle a head sized piece once a week. He usually tears it up within minutes.

You can get visual directions on removing the bone backing (which can cause digestional cuts and other problems) here: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18320

Now could I put a large piece in the water or will it dissolve? Or would they just destroy it right away too?

[papoopeepoo]

i wouldn't recommend putting in a piece that would serve for more than one serving. First, your tank cleanliness is at stake. Second, you don't want your turtle to ruin its dinner! haha

[Chrisbarnett]

You could just put the whole thing in there if your turtle doesn't eat cuttlebone like it's going out of style like mine does. I have to moderate the amount of cuttlebone I give him.

[cchipres]

My turtle does eat the cuttlebone.~~~~

[CB]

My turtle desn't eat the cuttlebone.~~~~

mine either
cb

[grem89]

soak a peice in that water that comes in tuna fish cans. let it sit a couple hours and then give it to ur turt.