Habitat - Indoor

I have a question...I built an above tank enclosure for my turts. I was wondering what I can use to make it look more like a natural environment. I saw mulch bricks I was thinking of putting down. I used wood for the sides and corrugated cardboard for the bottom. I feel like its a bit too plain, and I've seen pictures that looked more natural look. What would you guys recommend I put down? Is the mulch a bad idea. I have a baby yellow belly slider I am putting in a 30 gallon tank for now I was wondering if the mulch would be good to make like a beach type of setting, maybe piling it up in one corner. What do you think?

I used Lizard tank cork decor - basically a sheet of 'something' that is covered with cork.

Do you have any pictures? It's a lot easier to offer our two-cents if we see it

I haven't had experience with mulch. The only advice I can offer is to keep in mind that anything you put in the basking area that is not "locked down" will probably make its way into the tank as your RES hops back in the water. So whatever you try, see if it expands in the tank, leading to the potential of clogging the filter.

no I dont have any pictures yet. Actually what I think it is, is lizard bedding. I was thinking the same about the stuff going back into the tank. Im not quite sure what I'm going to do yet, what I do know is that I have to keep all this under a minimum budget (i.e. like 20 bucks LOL) Im currently out of work hoping to hear back on an interview I went on last week. If that happens...im gonna go buck wild and do these guys right. there is a local event I am planning on going to friday where they sell aquatic supplies for cheap. Being that the budget is so minimal its making things so much harder. I was i knew someone local who may have some extra things lying around they could help with. I live in new york city. I will figure it out im sure I just gotta get my creative juices flowing again.

Yeah - sometimes we are out own worst enemies.
If your set up is sturdy and safe, then heck with aesthetics! The aesthetics are for us owners.
Save your cash until you can get what you need/want. Getting them comfy and safe is what really matters.

So keep those creative juices flowing, and don't rush it.
Honestly, it took me months and a zillion prototypes to get what I wanted (operative word being "I" - Penelope is completely unenthused over the decor....she wants the lights and ignores everything else. I think she appreciates the privacy, but other than that, it seems like she would be happy with something made from spit and cardboard (an old folks phrase)

PS- the Dollar Store and Goodwill provided wonderful things!

Another question I have is they seem to have a hard time getting up the ramp. I have the zoo med floating dock with two holes attached with zip ties to the basking area. Before it was kind of just swinging when they tried to climb almost straight down. I put a screw in behind it and that seemed to help for a bit but I dont seem them basking as much any more. Should I be concerned? I'm going to fix the ramp tomorrow one way or another.

Hopefully, someone else can give you more advice on that.

I had the same problem with my various attempts - I wound up supporting the far end on her favorite fake log.
You can try placing some food on the above tank basking area...catch their attention with their favorite treat, let them beg and follow the food to the new basking area. That was the only thing that got Penelope intrigued enough to crawl up.

Still, most of the time she sits on her skimpy Zoo Med dock waiting for the basking lights. Debating on removing it to break the habit.

Does the ramp have a shape incline? Can you post a picture of it?

After maybe three years of planning, I finally tackled making an ATBA for Gator

I have been spoiling him this year, with an upgrade to an Eheim Classic Canister Filter and the new ATBA.
For the past few years he was living with my family, but I was finally able to get an apartment that allows larger tanks. Gator's health has drastically improved since he moved in with me, and I'm so proud to walk out and see this setup when I feed him every morning

I do want to say this site and forum have been incredibly helpful to me over the past few years, I don't know how Gator would have fared without this resource!

The ATBA is pine and plywood, and the materials have cost between $70 to $90, excluding the tools I borrowed and the painting I have yet to do. I made a lot of mistakes, and I have no idea why, but its slightly uneven. Oh well! The exterior will eventually have a coat of semi-glossy paint, probably black. The top and front are screened, and the front door lift open on hinges by a handle. The door is safety-hooked shut on the sides. The back of the ATBA has a cutout for tubing and cords, and Gator is unable to climb through it. The basking area is one of those plexiglass ramps, suctioned to the side. At some point I'd like to decorate the interior with some vines, but for now it looks good. Yay

I would be careful about those lights sitting on top of the screen with out any support. Other than that very nice job!

Looks very nice! I'd try to have the UVB directly over his basking area.

Yeah I wasn't sure if I'd have to hang the lamps or not, but after a few tests I figured out that the screen is held on tightly enough to support them. It's just annoyingly stretchy! I wish I had other screening options.

UVB is now over the basking area

Gator took a few days to gather up the courage to climb the ramp, but now he's up there constantly.

Started work on the ATBA this weekend. I have the main structure built and got the first coat of paint on tonight. The top has a ridge around the inside to support eggcrate for the lid, and the front will be sliding 1/4" plexiglass doors. There is a ledge on the left hand side which will support the tile floor and a plexiglass ramp into the tank. The back wall of the ATBA is set forward 2 1/2 inches, which allows for the filter input/output, as well as a couple of 13" flourescent lights to light the water part of the tank. There is trim around the front and both sides that makes a lip around the tank and holds it firmly in place. I'm not usually all that good with finish carpentry, but I'm really pleased at how it is coming together. It only took a couple hours to get the main structure together. Thank god for nail guns.

Dry Fit:

First Coat of Paint:

Looks very nice!

Pardon my stupidity, ATBA? Is there something I'm missing about how this setup helps with basking?

Excellent photos by the way. Everything looks great.

That was just the dry fit to make sure everything fits. There is a lip around the left side of the bottom which will support tile for the ATBA floor, which will then have a plexiglass ramp down into the water. The lip is 1/2 x 3/4 pine. The front will have sliding plexiglass doors to make feeding easier, basking/uvb lights will be up top. and the lid will be eggcrate. With any luck I will have it finished and in place by next weekend.

Habitat - Indoor :: POST YOUR BASKING AREA PICTURES HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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