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Hello everyone!

So a couple weeks ago my turtle fell out of her tank! See thread http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=36928&p=347965#p347965

I have decided to take advantage of the situation and make some changes to my setup. I have attached an image of my new stand. I am also changing from large gravel to sand in my tank.

So my big question is does anyone have any ideas on how to secure my tank and ATBA (beside tank) so my turtle can't get out again. I want to have the water level all the way to the top of the tank. I think I will need to make the walls higher on the nesting box. I plan on moving my lights over the box and removing the screen entirely so no UVB is blocked. I would like to remove the screen on top of the tank as well. I was considering doing some sort of acrylic walls that go above the tank. I want to have something that is really nice looking, but functional. Also just if anyone is wondering, I am in the process of making a curtain to go around the stand so everything is hidden and looks nice.

New stand
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2OPLQVuFuhDNDVkaks4cUFWRkU/view?usp=sharing

Old setup
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2OPLQVuFuhDLUNoSld0M192Nkk/view?usp=sharing

Basking area/nesting box
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2OPLQVuFuhDV1podmppYnRXLXc/view?usp=sharing

Egg crate or wire shelving (both can be trimmed and painted) are solid options. Maybe a plexiglass lid in the right side to keep the hoses in place and evaporation down. You might want to hang the lights from the ceiling or attach them to some wall shelving/plant hangers.

You can leave the ATBA top open, but if you have any other pets, or just for additional safety, some hardware cloth is fine. Acrylic walls look better, but you might not need it. Unless you can do something creative, I'd concentrate on simple and functional.

steve wrote:Egg crate or wire shelving (both can be trimmed and painted) are solid options. Maybe a plexiglass lid in the right side to keep the hoses in place and evaporation down. You might want to hang the lights from the ceiling or attach them to some wall shelving/plant hangers.

You can leave the ATBA top open, but if you have any other pets, or just for additional safety, some hardware cloth is fine. Acrylic walls look better, but you might not need it. Unless you can do something creative, I'd concentrate on simple and functional.

I will look into the Egg crate, but I am going to attempt some sort of plexiglass "thing" first. I have a friend that is good at plexiglass work/welding. Do you have any suggestions on where to get Egg crate if the plexiglass doesn't work out?

Any home improvement store should have it. Although you may want to ask for "light diffuser"--it's the same material, just a different name that the staff may be more familiar with.

Jeremiah wrote:Any home improvement store should have it. Although you may want to ask for "light diffuser"--it's the same material, just a different name that the staff may be more familiar with.

Thanks, I check it out this weekend.

I used a cooling rack from the kitchen aisle at Walmart. It's cheaper.

Plexi or wire shelving would look the nicest. Cooling rack is a good idea too!

Man, that looks awesome! Makes my set up looks really lame and boring.

Peva wrote:Man, that looks awesome! Makes my set up looks really lame and boring.

Thanks for the complement. I manged to do the tank stand, basking box and sand for probably about $150. That includes the curtain that I added, see attached picture. The driftwood was like $30.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14LwmYC8U7sktZ1vZVR-vXOtStEUw5G1U6Q/view?usp=sharing