How to Make a Turtle Dock

Though aquatic turtles spend most of their time in the water, they, like many reptiles, need to occasionally bask on dry land under a good heat source in order to keep their internal body temperature up. These platforms are commonly referred to as "turtle docks" in the pet trade and are available for purchase, but if you have the patience and tools and don't mind a quick trip to the hardware store, you can make your own very simple, very effective turtle platform.

Things You'll Need

• 12"x12"x2" sheet of untreated wood
• 4 PVC pipes, 2" diameter, at least 6" high
• Silicone adhesive (commonly sold as tank sealant)
• Heavy book

Instructions

1. Glue one end of each PVC pipe to each corner of the bottom of the wood sheet using the silicone adhesive.

2. Set the wood on a level surface with the PVC pipe legs sticking up in the air.

3. Place the heavy book atop the legs so that it presses them down.

4. Allow adequate time for the legs to dry in place.

5. Set the dock, legs down, into the tank. Press the legs deep into the gravel so that they fit nice and snugly.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use virtually any type of wood for this application, including some that may look more naturalistic. Make sure that the water level is high enough so that the turtle can crawl up onto the dock but not so high as to cover the dock's surface. You may need to cut the wooden sheet in order to fit your tank or get a larger one, as ideally you want it to be flush with the tank's glass walls.

• Never use treated wood in your turtle tank, as chemicals could seep out into the water, potentially causing problems for your turtle(s).

References

• Red Ear Slider - Custom Platforms