I have a bunch of turtles that my girlfriend and I care for in our pond. They are always struggling to find a place to sun themselves. One day I observed one trying to climb a floating log and barely floating, I knew I would take action.
Having previously attempted an elaborate floating island with dirt and plants that ended up being a failure, I decided on using the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle. I remember seeing a design of a wood platform here, I think it was Ken's, and I used what I remembered and came up with my own idea.
I apologize for not taking a photos of it during construction of the fished product on land, but here is an idea of it in the pond:
The turtles absolutely love it and will spend most of the day there. It only took a few hours to build and the main tools I used was a circular saw and my drill/driver.
I made it all with spare materials I had laying around. I cut a piece of t111 all weather siding to 2x2. Then I took some 2x4's and cut the ends at 45 degrees, making sure the length would match 24" for the insides of the cuts. I then cut another 2x2 piece of siding and cut it in half again so I would have 2 12" piece for the side ramps.
I screwed it all together with weatherproof deck screws so it would not rust. I attached furring strips on the ramps to aid the turtles in climbing up, making sure to grind off the screws that poked trough so as not to injure any pond residents. I took some pool noodles and cut them to size and lined the whole inside of the bottom with noodle pieces. I secured the pieces in with 3 3/4" nailing strips. Which also gave me a place to tie an archor rope.
I threw it in the pond and anchored in place. The next morning it was full of turtles. At some point I will probably stain it to look nice and so it doesn't rot too much, but we will see. I did not want to use anything pressure treated in the pond.
I hope you guys like the project. Build one for your turtles, they will enjoy it.
I built a wood floating log for turtles some time ago and the problem I had was the wood waterlogged over time and begin to sink. Extruded polystyrene foam board used for building you see in Lowes or Menards will last and not waterlog. The raft below has been left in the pond year around and this is starting it's 4th year. I hardened the surface with a heat gun but as you can see the turtles crape the surface off with use. A better idea would be to lay a rubber matting of some kind over the surface. The day before yesterday when we had a 60 degree day I counted three turtles on it. This morning it was below freezing. Last year I counted 11 turtles on it at one time. Frogs also like the island as do birds.
I may do this but don't make me promise. Buy a 4x8 feet Extruded polystyrene foam board 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick and cut it in half for a 4x4 square and taper the sides at a 45 degree angle. Then add black dye to the resin and hardener and lay one layer of fiberglass to the foam board. The black fiberglass will be warm as turtles like bask on. Double fiberglass a portion of one end for a rope and anchor to fasten through.
When I put out pallets for my FHM for spawning substrate, they eventually would sink. So my solution was to put some strips of the foam insulation in where the fork lift forks would have gone and screwed the insulation into place. Then the pallets would remain floating. Kind of a combination of what Kevin and John did. A combination of wood and floating insulation.
The baby newly hatched red ear sliders that claimed my forage pond as a home loved sunning on these structures. As well as numerous frogs. Did not think about putting any in my main pond (there is plenty of other FHM spawning areas) but might have to incorporate Kevin and John's ideas and make a specific turtle float for my main pond. Put a little ramp around making it easier for the turtles to crawl aboard.
Turtle Island is finished. About 4 hrs. Rug $19, Foam $32, Glue $6. Total $57 not including tax. The rug is tough like a door mat. Good buy. Painted the pink ends black for looks. I used a spray paint that would eat the foam.
Canyoncreek I did put a small hole in the corner of the carpet and attach 550 parachute cord to an anchor. I put the island in the pond early yesterday morning when frost was on the ground and I took the picture at 1 pm when it was much warmer. This little guy looks like he just stepped on the moon. One small step for turtles and large step for turtle kind.
The foam island I previously made has one line and anchor now starting 4 years old and does ok. The parachute cord has 550 lbs of breaking strength and the polypropylene carpet is very strong and has a heavy edge around the outside. Today and tonight should be a good test as we are in a severe wind and rain area so any weakness might show up.
