Turtle Basking Dock/Ramp DIY Build

[komodo182]

Hello everyone,

As many of you know, I am not really skilled when it comes to DIY. I am great at trying though haha.
I have two turtles that I took in from customers when I worked at Animal Essentials. The male is fine with his dock, but the female rips her docks off the tank.
I have tried the zoomed large turtle dock, but several times a day I need to put it back on. I tried an acrylic ramp, but she ripped that off as well. I have pictures of the two things. I was debating about just siliconing (pretend that is a word) the acrylic ramp to the tank, but I would have to have the turtle out of the tank for awhile so it could dry. She is in a 70 gallon tank that is 16 inches wide. If anyone has any ideas on what I can do for an easy ramp that will say for her that would be great. I live in an apartment and do not have the tools to make one myself really. I was also debating getting some glass cut for myself and making a ramp that does not suction to the side of the tank.
I am hoping someone on here can help me with ideas. Thanks
-Tom

[Willhopp]

If the water is as shallow as it seems in the picture, you can easily go to a pond store and pick up some flat sandstone or slate real cheap and make the ramp and basking area. The turts will not be able to move the rock and you'll have a natural basking spot for them. You could make the whole thing with 3-4 small pieces depending on your construction. A local koi pond place near me charges like 12 cents a pound (not sure what that would be in Canadian money).

If you choose to fill the tank higher, you could make an above the tank basking area out of a sheet of acrylic using Joey's method for bending acrylic (torch) but I'm not sure if that's as affordable for you.

[komodo182]

The water is about 14-16 inches deep. I don't think a rock will work too well.
I have no way of designing an out of tank basking area or I would haha.

[RBrown]

here's a awesome setup check out his channel!!!





http://www.youtube.com/user/BauriBob?feature=watch

[kracken]

When I had my turtle, I used the turtle topper, it's very sturdy and the turtle loved it.

[Willhopp]

You'd be surprised how long sandstone and slate can be, I built on for water 20 inches high once.

[komodo182]

Rock-I would be afraid of cracking glass over that one and weight.
Turtle Topper-looks to small from what I saw on eBay. It would not fit the tank.
Great Video!

I think I may do a PVC thing like in the video, but put egg crate in the center of it.

[RBrown]

Rock-I would be afraid of cracking glass over that one and weight.
Turtle Topper-looks to small from what I saw on eBay. It would not fit the tank.
Great Video!

I think I may do a PVC thing like in the video, but put egg crate in the center of it.

I think the turtle topper is for 55 gal tanks

[komodo182]

I think the turtle topper is for 55 gal tanks

It is. my tank is larger than a 55.
I think I will be trying to build something tomorrow thanks to that video

[DavidNZ]

I have to agree that the PVC Pipe platform might be your best bet. maybe just try suctioncup it to the glass as well and see what happens.