Habitat - Indoor :: Plexi Glass Bottom for above tank Basking Area

[Curly333]

I built an above tank basking area and use plexi glass for the bottom to allow light to get through. My concern is that my turtles don't seem to be going beyond the ramp. I know that they don't have a concept of glass, due to the constant tries to escape the tank, so should I cover the plexi glass with something? Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions as for what to use as a bottom?

[Spookster]

I would suggest putting a large stone/slate tile piece in there. It retains heat from the basking light more like what they would have in the wild when they crawl onto a rock near a pond. I have a 12"x12" dark slate tile that covers most of my basking area.

[marisa]

I would also not just have plain plexiglass for them to bask on. Aside from perhaps not being comfortable with the transparent surface, if they bask on the smooth plexiglass it will be harder for their plastrons to dry off. Providing a surface with a little texture would be good. You could use slate like Spookster mentioned, corkbark, some people have even placed the gripper material that's used on shelves (I don't know how well that's worked, though).

[steve]

How do you have it setup? I've seen some nice platforms with tile fitting into the top bevel of a tank's frame and that resolves any support issues.

[RunninWideOpen]

i used double sided tape and put astroturf on the "plexiglass" bottom of by basking areas.

[Curly333]

The plexi glass sits in the bottom of the tank frame. I know slate and tile will work but neither of them solve the problem of lighting the area of the tank under the basking area. Thats the reason I used plexi glass in the first place.

[RunninWideOpen]

you may have to forego the idea of trying to light the tank with the basking lights.

you could try laying something on the plexiglass temporarily for a few days and see if that is why they are not climbing all the way up. it may or may not be. turtles are very often shy baskers and may not bask for a few weeks after you get them. but, they may just see nothing there to walk on and think they'll fall through as well. experiment.

how long have you had them?

[Soze82]

Where did you guys buy the plexiglass?! I want to do a plexiglass above tank basking area!!

[RunninWideOpen]

i actually used an industrial grade, clear plastic, not plexiglass. but, home depot and lowes sell a similar clear plastic back with the windows. they may even cut it to the sizes you need.

with a properly reinforces frame, that plastic would do really well.

[marisa]

A regular hardware store often sells it. The local hardware store here cuts it as well. Neither the Lowes or Home Depot nearest me will cut pieces.