Habitat - Indoor :: Bricks for Basking Area!!!

[Laineestar]

Is it Safe to use bricks for a Basking Area? I have a ton of these but i wanted to find out if they are Safe to use? I wasn't sure because of the Edges?

Thanks,
Lainee

[SpotsMama]

I used some old bricks for part of a basking area in my turtle's pond and haven't had any problems. The bricks were old and had been rained on for years so I felt pretty confident any bad chemicals had washed out/off them. The bricks I used didn't have sharp edges. They were sort of rounded. If your bricks have sharp edges you might smooth them off before using them

It would be very important also to be sure the bricks couldn't have any chemical residue or concrete or other dust on/in them that would contaminate the water.

Also, you must be sure that there's no way your bricks could fall over in the water and hurt the turtles, and that there are no spaces between bricks that your turtle or your turtle's head could get stuck in.

[fishandcandy]

I wouldn't use the bricks in an aquarium.
I think there's something about them that will effect your water quality. I can't remember for sure...
Also, they'll take up a lot of swimming room.
I don't think either of these would be an issue in a pond, though.

[marisa]

I've been told that bricks can leach arsenic. They can also be abrasive to turtle shells.