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Above tank basking area

PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:29 pm
by kmichael55
Hi! I haven't been around for quite some time and have finally got to the point where I have internet access and enough free time to come back to Turtle Talk! Here's the deal... in the move into my new place, my UVB light fixture broke, so my current setup is sans UVB. Since this obviously needs to be rectified and I've always wanted an above tank basking area...why not attempt to do it now?? I've got pics of my current setup with just the lone basking light and zoomed dock below. (It's kinda cloudy since I've been moving stuff around and partial water changing) Its a 29 gallon with an airhead pump, undergravel filter, hang-on/waterfall filter, heater, large enough rocks that they can't swallow and a few rosie red minnows that they lost interest in. I want to put in an underwater light once the basking area is in since I tend to maximize the basking area shutting out light to the tank.
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I need suggestions...

What do I use as the ramp leading up to the above tank basking area?

It needs to be closed in so they don't jump off...I've seen mesh/wire cage type attachments for reptile cages, think this will work?
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How does that affect my light fixtures? Can I just lay a florescent tube fixture or cfl bulb/clamp lamp fixture on top of one of these or am I going to need some sort of bracket holding it above the wire?

Other option is to build a frame out of wood with a window in front so I can admire their basking poses. I've seen this one done on here before...wondering how much more difficult that would be (my boyfriend has got the handy man power, I'm just planning)

Either way, there needs to be a floor/area to bask...what is the best material? I want to give them more space than the zoomed dock. (I have 2, maybe I could use both somehow?)

Suggestions please!!! What am I not considering? (a lot)

Re: Above tank basking area

PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:12 pm
by steve
They will probably be able to climb on that mesh. My favorite idea of an ATBA uses a cork wedge and some plexiglas for the barrier, similar to one by octpusgirl8 on the first page viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15260&start=0

Re: Above tank basking area

PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:19 pm
by kmichael55
OOh didn't even think of the climbing... man there is a LOT of information on here about ATBAs! I'm having trouble getting up and doing the things I need to do away from the computer lol

So many options...this is going to be quite a project!

Re: Above tank basking area

PostPosted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:44 pm
by kmichael55
So I downloaded google sketchup after reading some of the posts in the basking area sticky, I'm excited to start designing and building. I know I want to do a plexiglass ramp, and will either drill holes or apply river rocks with silicone a la gray goose... Im wondering how quickly plexiglass gets algae-y so close to the lights?
I'm thinking for the basking platform a ceramic tile rested on the inner lip of the top...but does this get too hot? (or is it an advantage that it gets hot?)
And probably will have boyfriend construct a wooden frame with plexiglass front, I really like the looks of those! especially with an interesting background/plants...yay :)

Re: Above tank basking area

PostPosted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 1:26 am
by steve
Wait.. so which style are you looking to do? If you do a frame, check the one by Breigh and Inspctor403.