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is there anything u could use to create a basking area for hatchlings?
like clay for instance, or is that toxic?

i know steve uses pvc pipe and creates something to put a type of tyle on. Others build boxs to put above the tank so they can fill the whole tank with water and let them bask above the water. there are tons of pics in the photo gallery of other types of setups.

If they're small, it's easier to buy one. And TNTurtles is right, I'm using PVC (white plastic pipes) for mine.

Check these out:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/pro ... t_id=33180

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... catid=8809

www.thatpetplace.com still has good prices on their turtle docks too.

I'm planning to make my own basking spot out of foam (the stuff used for those cheap coolers and coffee cups). Is this stuf toxic in the first place or will it cause any harm in case the pieces chip off. Should I have to cover the foam?

i dont really recommend using foam..... it could easily be eaten by your turtle which will probably be harmful....

Not recommended!

I use a shower organizer in my tank with shelf liner, a rock, and some plastic "breeding grass". It has suction cups and is easy to clean.
Here are some pics:
http://redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=
http://redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=

Stay away from the foam---your turtle could easily choke or become impacted if he eats it. I use corkbark--no muss, no fuss (but not the cheapest material if you want a good piece).

I personally thought that the shower organizer was a clever idea. The turtle is cute too . I think I'll go ahead with the corkbark though, design it like the zoomed floating dock I have right now. Do you think stores sell suction cups? Maybe I can stick it to the wall without it floating all over the place and getting damp.

Oh yeah, I just covered the bottom of the tank with rocks, it just looked gross with the bare tank bottom littered with stool. I want to put some ghost shrimp to get what the filter doesn't reach (so far they do well with the fish tank), but I'm afraid the turtles will eat them. Some of the rocks have little dots of paint on them, is this toxic?

I used a locker shelf (not the collapsable kind) with flat landscaping rocks laid on top of it. The height of the shelf is perfect for the depth of the water and I placed a couple of thin rocks between the shelf legs and the side of the tank. It created a cave for her and she loves it. There is a picture in the gallery, the topic is "Here's Tilly!"

Also, you can buy suction cups at teacher supply stores. They usually have little hooks on them, but you could probably remove them.

Good Luck!

The suction cups are available at walmart too! In the craft section. They do have the metal rings on them, but they are easy to pop off...not so easy to get back on. Anyway, if you did it right, you could probably even drill some holes through it, like the zoo med docks.