Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i got my RES kermit a zoomed turtle dock and she sank it, i was going to get the bigger one but my friend told be his 6inch turlte had a large size that went under when it was usung it so i decided against that, i stuck a milkcrate in teh tank for the night so she'd have something to climb out on, and today im going to work on making something better for her
if anyone has pictures of there basking spots that would be a big help, my turtles eight and a half inches long and i'd like to make something that doesnt take up alot of water space

I don't have pictures of it but I can describe it pretty well for you. I use two

Sorry about above...accidentally hit the wrong button.

Anyway, I cut pieces of plexiglass to the sizes I want...one larger rectangle for the platform itself, and a longer thinner one for the ramp. I affixed the two pieces together using aquarium silicone. It is a very flexible joint, just meant to keep them together. I drilled holes through the plexi on the sides that would be making contact with the tank. I also used a sharp knife to put a small hole or slot in the outer part of suction cups. (The part sticking out where a hook would be.) I attached the suction cups to the sides of the plexi using zip ties. I didn't want to use metal hooks or wire because of the possibility of rusting in the tank. I also attached to the surface of the tank some of that rubbery shelf liner made by Rubber Maid so that when climbing up the ramp, the turtle would have traction. This was attached by smearing a layer of silicone down and then pressing the shelf liner into the silicone.

Before drilling or attaching suction cups, make sure you figure out how many you can squeeze on to a side. I used a medium size cup and was able to 7-8 per side touching the tank. When you put the finished ramp and platform in the tank, make sure the silicone has completely cured (several days) and that you push it into the corner and side of the tank well. Definitely build it for a corner...that way you can get suction cups on multiple sides. I can push down on mine with several pounds of pressure without it budging a bit. If you need more details, let me know.

right now i have a peaice of plexi glass with four holes drilled into it hanging from the screen by zipties with a scrap peice of bamboo curtain secured to it and hanging into the the water for her to climb up, but i am looking for a better way to secure it, its pain to get into the tank when the dock is hanging from it

so the way yours it setup is with holes drilled along teh ende of teh plexi and the suction cups , tied on with zipties are above the dock, or below the dock? ,or are they between the dock and the tank wall?

The suction cups are between the plexi and the tank wall. They sit centered and perpendicular on the edges. It's not completely perfect but it does the job. I tried suspended platforms too and yes, they were very difficult to deal with.

thanks alot, i'll see if i can stop at the hardware store and get some suction cups and see if they'll work for me