Habitat - Indoor :: Basking area ramp

[Litch]

I am currently working on a above tank basking area for Raph and would like some ideas on what to do for the ramp. What marital as well as a manner of attachment. Currently the "box" is made mostly of particle board with a plexiglass "window". The plan is to use some quick drying cement to coat the bottom board to add texture and make it so that it will be water tight. Raph is ruffly 13 inch long and around 15 years old (not too sure, only had her for about 5). My original though was to take more plexiglass, add holes or silicon grips and screw it to the bottom board then cement it tight but I am not sure if it will work cause I have no heat gun to add the bend. Any advice?

[devilduck]

I've also used plexiglass bent on an angle with heat worked fine. I made the mistake of gluing on some "reptile" felt that get too moldy. If I were to do it all over I should have used cork bark.
You can also check out the link in my signature for a easy inexpensive basking ramp made a light diffuser.

[EdieOnline]

I used a "plexi like" product called lexan. I'm 2 months in and everything is holding up perfectly still. I also used outdoor carpet from Home Depot, not reptile carpet. About 2-3 inches of it is always submerged and I have no mold and hasn't broke down. If interested, check out my post.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=36594

[Litch]

My current problem is that she is so big and her claws are long, the silicon I used for her to grip is gets torn off. I'll use that rubber liner for Kitchens but last time I used it she tore that up as well. I need something that won't give mold or such a place to grow but will still let her climb up

[Jeremiah]

Maybe you could drill some holes in the bottom before cementing, and zip-tie some egg crate through it? Just make sure the piece is long enough that it extends into the water a few inches.

By the way, I've never used cement with turtles, for fear of plastron damage.

[steve]

I think Kansas used some sort of adhesive gripper for his ramp.

[Kansasslider]

Steve is correct. I used non slip bathtub tape on 2 ramps. It works great.

[Litch]

I might give that a try. Right now I used a strip of drawr liner coated in silicone for added strength

[Kansasslider]

It works very well. You can get it in clear, whit and black. Maybe other colors also?

[steve]

Silicone won't adhere well to Plexiglas. Maybe use thin strips of plexi with plastic cement but of course this would be permanent.

[Kansasslider]

Silicone won't adhere well to Plexiglas. Maybe use thin strips of plexi with plastic cement but of course this would be permanent.

I'm not sure about plastic cement. A better option would be acrylic cement. Its what they build acrylic tanks with.You can buy it at Tap plastics. A great web site for all your plexi/acrylic needs.
http://www.tapplastics.com/product/repa ... cement/130

[steve]

Ah, you're right. I couldn't think of the right product. Would pvc cement work too?

[ljapa]

Superglue actually works well on plexiglass. It clouds it, but if you're using it to hold down climbing material, that shouldn't matter.

[Kansasslider]

In not sure about PVC cement. It might.

[VeipaCray]

Why not just drill a bunch of holes in the ramp itself for the turtle to grip onto for climbing? No worries about glue / solvent or anything getting nasty for cleaning.