Habitat - Indoor

Hey everyone,

I've got a pesky problem. I've got a 90-gal tank (48" x 18" rim) with two RES's (roughly 5" long) and I supposedly have to keep the water level pretty high to keep my Fluval FX5 working properly (at least per the manual). For lighting, I have two lamps resting on top of a metal grated screen (one for warmth, one for UV).

The problem is the basking platform. I have this acrylic kind that sticks to the wall of the tank with suction cups (the brand is Kordon-Oasis Novalek, Sz Large. If it helps, here it is on Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZHboms).

Now that my turtles have gotten bigger, it just will NOT stick to the wall of the tank, no matter what I do. The turtles are too heavy. If I clean the tank thoroughly and the suction cups and stick them carefully etc, it will stay, but as soon as the turtles climb on it, down it goes.

It's a nice basking platform, if I could figure out a way to stick it to the wall that works and won't hurt the turtles in any way. (Maybe gluing it with some kind of epoxy? But would that hurt the turtles or my chances of ever re-selling the tank if I need to?)

Replacing it with an external (on top of the tank) basking thing would require me to figure out a whole new lighting system and screen for the rest of the top of the tank, and I don't know of any external basking platforms big enough for such a large tank.

Anyone have any bright ideas? My turtles need to bask!

Thanks very much!

I am beginning to run into the same problem and look forward to the replies.

Epoxy putty is one way to go, I guess. I've read some members' thread that they have used it for attaching basking ramps and platforms to the tank. Can you post a picture of your current tank set-up? Thanks.

If you want to continue using that platform, I would try replacing the suction cups. Before you use them, carefully wipe down the glass with rubbing alcohol. You might be able to add additional support via strong magnets. I think the aquarium glass cleaner type has been mentioned before. Example: http://www.amazon.com/Gulfstream-Tropic ... B0002568ZO (this might be a good item to examine at a local pet supply store).

The next other type of basking area would be a simple cork wedge. I really like them and they won't leave any marks on the tank. You can also look into a PVC/tile platform BUT that would likely leave small scratches on the glass over time.

Thanks, guys. Dumbork14, here's a photo of my setup. The water level isn't normally that high, but it's usually 2/3 to 3/4 full typically. The basking platform is off to its side on the right where it fell.

I am skeptical about buying new suction cups...could they really hold the weight?

Oh, and Steve, those magnets would work through both the acrylic and the glass aquarium to hold it up? It seems like they would have to be so powerful!

UPDATE: Steve, I really love the idea of the cork bark that you can wedge into the glass. Would something like this work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Virgin-Cork-Bar ... 3f2470e1bc

(TullyStuff, the seller a lot of people recommend, doesn't have any cork on ebay right now.)

Suction cups in water tend to lose their abilities over time, so replacement is a good option. That piece does look good, it's worth a shot. You can also look into local florists and specialty shops to see if they have cork. I have not personally tried those magnets, but they are probably strong neodymium magnets.

Hey guys,

An update here. I bought replacement suction cups and they lasted very little time before they, too, failed.

I also read more about wedging cork bark into the tank as a basking platform, but a few people said they ended up expanding and, over time, cracking their aquariums and causing them to leak (this in a 90-gallon tank = no good!). :-/ I'm on a budget, so replacing the cork every three months isn't an attractive option, either.

So I contacted K&J Magnetics. They sell the big neodymium magnets, coated with plastic for aquarium use. They even have a page devoted to aquarium magnets: (http://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=aquarium) and the problem of leverage: (http://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=leverage).

The problem (other than that the super-strong magnets I'd need probably at least four of would be $25 EACH!) is that the basking platform's ramp is so long, making it much easier for leverage to pry the magnets off the wall.

The engineers at K&J said if I could rest the bottom of the platform on something, I might still be able to use the magnets. I bought the large 90-gallon tank so the turtles could have plenty of room to swim, and the water level is too high to rest it on the bottom of the tank. (Can't make the water level much lower or the filter output will be exposed, splashing water everywhere.)

**SO THE QUESTION IS**:
Any suggestions for something I could put in the tank to rest the bottom of the platform on? I guess I need something about 12 - 16" tall. Not sure how to find a tall narrow sturdy rock with a flat top, which would be ideal!

Maybe just look around the park for a couple of huge flat-topped rocks? OR--is there some man-made object that wouldn't harm the turtles?

I have not seen cork expand to the point to breaks glass. Glass will also have some flexibility to it but I haven't seen people over do it except one person on YouTube. I also keep my wedge at a slight angle, so there a small slope. It'll also last more like 3 years than 3 months. Mine will have to replaced due to my turtle constantly nipping at it, not due to expanding or cracking.

Cheapest/Strongest solution? That would be a PVC and tile setup.

How about a PVC support? Mine is here, I got the idea from devilduck.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34431

Or if you can drill a hole in the platform and hang it with zip ties or fishing line from the mesh cover.

Habitat - Indoor :: Turtles too heavy for basking platform suction cups

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