Habitat - Indoor :: Need help with new Basking Platform

[cutepanda86]

Hello all!

The time has come to upgrade Sheldon from her 40 gallon to her 75 gallon tank. That being said, I'm trying to upgrade her basking platform but before I try something I want peoples' opinions.

Does aquarium sealant work on PVC and Plexiglass? I was thinking of creating a stand inside the tank with PVC legs and a Plexiglass top and ramp. Thing is the Marineland Aquarium Sealant I have (purchased for a botched attempt at a previous basking platform for the 40 gallon), says it would hold some plastics and doesn't mention Plexiglass. http://www.petsmart.com/featured-shops/marineland/marineland-silicone-sealent-zid36-2431002/cat-36-catid-800723?_t=pfm%3Dcategory

Anyone use something else for their Plexiglass setups that is not harmful for aquatic life?

[steve]

You don't need to seal PVC, and if it's going inside a tank then you might not want any sealant (so you can take it apart). Silicone won't hold Plexiglas, but you can drill some holes and use zip ties to hold Plexi. It might be too "light" and float, so layering tile over it might be better.

[cutepanda86]

I was thinking zip ties would be my only option. I was also thinking of filling the legs with rocks for added weight. Tile like floor tile?

[steve]

Yeah, ceramic tile is good. Really cheap too. What else is in the tank? Is the tank new-ish?

[cutepanda86]

Not the self-adhesive kind though right - in case it gets wet.

The tank is brand new - I bought it while PetsMart was having a sale back in January or February. Just had to wait until after my surgery and after the weather warmed up so I could get it out of my folks' basement. I'm trying to figure out how to get my decorations that currently reside inside the basking platform made from a critter carrier inside the tank so it isn't so boring. I'm trying to avoid sand and rocks though, which might be difficult.

[steve]

I think the kind they use in bath tubs, but there are other kinds but I can't recall if there are reptile-specific ones out there. Usually the rubberized version. I'm not sure if it matters to you, but I have a few scratches on the glass bottom of the tank, where the PVC meets the glass. Why are you trying to avoid sand?

[cutepanda86]

Ok I could see that. I wouldn't imagine there would be reptile-specific tiles out there but I suppose you never know.

Good to know about the PVC and the glass. I'll have to see if I can come up with something that can attach to the bottom of the PVC to try to avoid it.

As for the sand - I'm concerned about the weight. The intention of keeping the basking platform inside the tank gets rid of the need to fill the tank all the way up with water and then have the weight be too much. I live on the second floor and not on the first floor. The tank when full with the stand weighs (per Marineland) 750 lbs. Sand just adds to that along with anything else I put in the tank and I don't want Sheldon visiting my downstairs neighbor.

[steve]

The tape usually comes in clear, grey, white or black. The scratches were from me moving the platform with the tiles still on. It's pretty heavy with just a few tiles on it.

As far as I understand, sand is only a little heaver than water.

[cutepanda86]

Ok, I'll have to look into tape as well then. Quite the laundry list I've got going...

Sand may be something to consider as I imagine that I will eventually move out of the apartment. My big concern is trying to get something good put together for Sheldon's basking platform and getting her to like it. She really handles change poorly. I know that that happens with turtles but considering how cranky she was when we went 40 gallon and moved her to the apartment, I'm not ready to jump in with both feet, so to speak...

[steve]

Well, there's always cork. My favorite

[cutepanda86]

Cork wrapped PVC? Hmmm....

Thanks for all your input Steve. I really appreciate it.

[steve]

Wrapped? Did I miss something? Cork tubes are easy to find, but I'm not sure we're talking about that

[cutepanda86]

lol I was teasing about wrapping the PVC in cork to prevent scratching the bottom of the tank.

When you said cork, I'm assuming you mean a decent sized piece of Cork Bark.

[steve]

Ah, that's what I get for posting so early

How big is Sheldon now?

[cutepanda86]

lol No biggie. I appreciate the help.

Sheldon has gotten quite big although admittedly, I haven't measured her.

My "little" Sheldon