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Before I show you guys the pictures, most if not ALL of the credit for this design is to mrBean. When I saw his set up it was the perfect fit for the stock tank I've had sitting in my backyard for over a year now.

Originally I was going to make a pond outside but determined due to the close proximity of my neighbors it would be a disturbance.

I had a handyman help me build it because I don't own a garage, have the knowledge to do myself, or the tools for it.





My cabinet is 6 foot long and 4 foot wide. I can't remember how tall it is. In reality it's much bigger than I expected.






The top is solid with two large plexiglass windows on it. I installed a bathroom fan inside to keep the air from becoming stagnant while the top is down. The top was a necessity because of my two cats. They can sit on top of it and watch Sputnik come and go. I only have the top up when I'm home and in the same room.



Some views from the top of my stairs so you can see how ginormous it is.






I placed the heat bulb socket on a dimmer to more easily regulate the temperature. (Dimmer not shown)



In regards to the fan. The moving parts are on the outside of the tank, so there's no danger to Sputnik. Plus, it's really only on at night when he's asleep in the tank anyway.



House is still a wreck. Gotta figure out where to put things now.


Underneath. I bought an xp2 to help out with my xp3 in cleaning duties.


This is the other side. Food and other type things.


The official redearslider.com d.i.y. ramp!


Not before to long, I'll have sand substrate!


The sand is the zoo-med white desert sand.

Stock tank is 160 gallons. Bought it at a feed and supply store for 100 bucks.

Sputnik seems to like it. Though, I think he's a bit lonely now. He doesn't have the view he once had of our daily lives. I haven't seen him take advantage of the basking area yet. Just recently he's started climbing up the ramp and diving off, I think he really enjoys that.


Trapper - just because.



Comments and questions if you like. Thanks!

WOW! Looks great! Now I get why you had your other tank for sale. lol

Wow! Very cool! Great deal on the stock tank!
Love the idea of the lid for cat proofing! You'll probably want keep an eye on the basking temps for the first while... They might get warm in the enclosed space. Perhaps you'll want the fan on during the day as well?

Is that a real or fake star tortoise in that last pic of the tank? I can't tell if there's water in there or not

Very nice! thats huge for him!

Forgot to say, YAY to The Bean for such awesome inspiration! Now someone come make me one. LoL

Wow that looks awesome!!!

How long did it take you to make it? And what's that thing under the ramp at the top??

The only criticism I can think of is you might think of adding some sort of cage system surrounding the lights. It looks like the turtle can walk right up to them and touch them.

untsmurf wrote:Wow that looks awesome!!!

How long did it take you to make it? And what's that thing under the ramp at the top??

The only criticism I can think of is you might think of adding some sort of cage system surrounding the lights. It looks like the turtle can walk right up to them and touch them.

The ramp is a little bit elevated off of the sand, so I placed Sputniks first basking ramp under it so he could get down gradually. Turns out he doesn't use it and just plopps himself off the side. It's not so high that he free falls. He basically places his forearms on the floor and eases himself down.

The bulbs are currently high enough so he won't get injured. I can take some photos with the camera sitting on the sand if you like, to get an idea of the height.



To build it I hired a handyman to help me. He turned out to be a really nice guy. He charged me 20 bucks an hour but he had all his own tools and a place to build it in. Materials probably cost me 500 bucks. Plywood alone was 160 bucks!

We worked on it for a week and think it took 20 hours to build! (You can do the math).


The start turtle is fake: http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCatalog/ctl3684/cp18301/si1742014/cl1/galaxy_action_indian_star_turtle_orange__55l?&path=c3684-def-USD-16695%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q747572746c65~~nc3684-def-USD-18300%23%234%23%238&query=turtle&offset=

wow! it looks wonderful and i love the color stain you chose Sputnik is one lucky turtle

That ornament is so cool! I've never seen one that looks so real!

Sounds like you spent a lot of love in building Sputnik's tank ^_^

nice man but there is one thing i personally would have done differently to you. you sould have made the front of the box from one piece/sheet of timber. that way the natural grain of the wood stays intact and looks superb. other than that though i love the concept. i might build one myself after new year.