Habitat - Indoor :: glue or silicone??????

[buttrflydreams06]

ok im putting mt baby turt in a bigger tank (20 gallon). but i want to build the basking area my self. i know i saw some where somebody used a glue to make there's. i was wondering what type i could use that wouldnt hurt my turt. or can i use silicone? will that be ok? any advise will be greatly apprieciated

[sonyj]

Try using aquarium silicone... what type of basking area are you building?

I've used hot glue before in the tank with good results but only to hold plants together, I'm not sure that it would be heavy duty enough to hold together a basking area.

[buttrflydreams06]

im using plexy glass and these little clear plastic rod things i found at a craft shop for the "ramp" and i havent quite figured out what im using for the actual basking area yet though i thought about using one of those floating rock things as a base but i figured it wouldnt work because of the prssure under it to float up especially if i put a little extra water. but i had to think about how to clean it too. so i started over at square one. so any pointers?

[missibsu]

If you are going to glue something permanent onto the walls of the tank, take this into consideration. Your water level is going to vary...as water evaporates, etc. Make sure that your ramp is easy to get on to and slopes into the water so that the varying levels won't affect it.

[buttrflydreams06]

i dont think i want a permanent basking area because eventually he will grow out of his tank. maybe something semi permanent. i dont know. ill figure it out. thank for the help peeps.

[missibsu]

Silicone can be removed with a sharp blade. So it is possible to get it back out when you are done.

[steve]

I would buy one instead. If you use silicone, make sure its aquarium safe. You can't remove silicone plexiglass what a sharp blade unless you don' mind it getting scratched up.

How big is your tank?

[missibsu]

Sorry, I guess I missed that it was a plexi glass tank...one would think I would have learned my lesson about skimming too quick.

[steve]

I skim plenty too... you don't know how many times I've had to edit my posts...

BYW, I think she wants to use plexiglass inside a regular glass tank, though I'm just assuming that now

[missibsu]

Ok, ok...Just buy one...it's a lot easier. Plus, since it isn't your permanent set up, buying something insures that you can remove it and put it in a new tank when you get one. Less hassle, easier to move. Sounds good to me

[Jessica313]

i agree with missi..

there isnt really any need to build a ramp of your own.. espically if its not your permantnt setup...

my turtle has a floating dock and he LOVES it.

these have any upsides as opposed to building your own basking area too because they take up little room and they float so it doesnt take up swimming space.

they are pretty cheap too, i think mine was like 11 or 12 bucks at petco

just something to think about

you'll probly spend more $$ on the materials to build your own then you would just buying one

[Sally]

Well, I just finished building my basking area. It took ALOT of time and money and doesn't look as nice as store-bought ones but on the plus side, I was able to customize it to my preference.

I don't know what material you'll be using but you might be able to make arms going up the side of the tank and over the rim to support it from the top. You can make it adjustable too by making the arms extendable. This will let you lower or raise the basking area for a new tank and for when your turtle grows. My basking area is well above the water level and extends a couple of inches deep into the water so there's enough there to account for water evaporation.

Aquarium silicon is the best thing to use- it's not permanent but you still don't want to use it on the tank as it'll probably leave a mark or some residue if you try to remove it. Make sure you use aquarium silicon and not the type from the hardware store which is toxic.

Good luck.