Equipment Review and Discussion :: Turtle Dock Problems?

[TexasJagsFan]

Has anyone had any problems with those turtle docks they sell at places like Petco, etc.

I've had one for about a year, it's sat in it's box unopened for that time period. I took it out of the box when I set the tank up last week. Last night a piece broke off from underneath spreading crap everywhere. So I took it out to examine it and when I was trying to take it out, there are two suction cups on the bottom, the little plastic piece connecting the two broke. Also I see on the bottom yet another piece looks like it's about ready to break off. Is this normal for them to fall apart this easy?

Thanks

[steve]

does it look like this one?



i used it for an hour or so and hated it. it did not fall apart but it was only a matter of time. it did look like some of the Styrofoam material dissolved...

[jenaero]

I use one of those and I have to replace it every few months. Not only does the algae get WAY out of control, which makes the tank stink, but it tends to fall apart after being in the water for a month or so. They're difficult to clean and the weight of my 2 actually almost sinks the large dock. Looking into constructing some kind of platform with pvc & tile. I think you should too.

[lydia_lady_fla]

I love my pvc dock with an under water river rock ledge and above water river rock basking area,green does grow on it some but easy enuff to wipe off and besides a little looks more natural to me. I have anchored water plants all around it as well. to me its pretty.

[jenaero]

Lydia, do you have any pics? I suck when it comes to stuff like that so I need all the help I can get

[marisa]

TJF, you could try corkbark for a basking area... I don't know how big your tank is, but there are little stools are sold at dollar stores that you could put a piece of slate/flat rock on... When my RES was smaller, I used a small plastic shelf with flat rocks on top for basking, and I made a plastic ramp for him to climb up to get on. It was easy to clean, didn't corrode and he had swimming room underneath.

[TexasJagsFan]

Yes it's that piece of crap. I only have a 10 gallon tank right now.

What do you mean a piece of corkbark?

[lydia_lady_fla]

jenaero I have not as of yet gotten any pics but my dock is built pretty much like therizman1. go to photo gallery post says reyna and orions set up I think, my tank and dock looks longer than those pics. but the building of it looks the same, stole the idea from this forum. my hubby built it and I love it, I have long river rocks and water plants all around the legs of the stand and a brown colored glass with plants in it underneath, my turt thinks its a cave.

[jenaero]

thanks. I'll go check it out.

[marisa]

TJF, you could just buy a piece of corkbark (don't know what tree it comes from), which is sold as many larger petstores (I've seen pieces at Petsmart). It floats, but can also be wedged in between the sides of the tank (not too tightly because it will expand a bit in the water) or suctioned to the tank for stability. Pluses are that it looks nice, it floats, is nonabrasive, is easy for your turtle to get on and is very natural looking. Minuses, are that it doesn't last as long as something made of plastic (but longer than that dock you had), will probably get some algae on it (not a real problem) and small pieces might flake off from time to time.

The basking area made from PVC pipe is popular with a number of members as well.

[TexasJagsFan]

Okay I'll look for that. I don't have room for a PVC pipe, but when I get my 29, I'll consider that.

[lydia_lady_fla]

a pvc dock can be made to fit any size tank,measure and cut to the size you like and with the right connections longer pieces of pipe can be added at a later date to make the frame work taller and/or longer, a rock or piece of slate from the garden center makes a nice basking surface as well,the pvc pipe elbows and stuff was made for around 10.00 pvc will not rot get water logged nor float once the rock weighs it down and the turtle can swim under it as well,plants can be tied to it or placed under it or under the rock. can u tell I love my dock

[steve]

i'll post a pic of my pvc platform when my brother returns my digicam

[lydia_lady_fla]

Steve I cant remember but I think it was ur dock that actually gave me the plans for mine?but as I said mine looks alot like theirizmans pictures.

[steve]

i made my platform only about 3 weeks ago. therizman had one too and a few others have pvc platforms as well.