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I am SOOOO Excited! I have been drawing out and looking all all of your WONDERFUL Basking Area ideas and I have come up with my own design and made drawings, measurements, and TONS of research online for an inexpensive approach to go about it. What I found out is #1 - Petco, PetSmart, and those commercial stores are SOOO expensive compared to shopping online.

So- I am actually about 78% done but here are a few pics before I put it all together. I have a LOT of time to go over this - I am currently not working because I just had back surgery so everything is delivered to the house and I sit and work at the table. Determination!

New Tank:

This is the first day I set up the new tank (before my RES was in a 2.5 gal tank-- I didn't know better!!! Then I found this site! ) This is by far not the final arrangement of things. This is from stuff I already had or was nice and inexpensive. I want to do black pebbles 1/2-1" in size for the bottom and I would like some real wood and get rid of the little stuff. Keeping plants though. Who knows.

Initial Designs:

Closest first drawings to the actual thing that I built. Its a mini type tank in the back corner of the actual tank (on top).


This is the dimensions I finally decided on.

Outline of Basking Area:

Well here is the framework of the basking area. Can't wait to show you what it looks like now, but I don't want to ruin the surprise. It should be very soon though and I will post a step by step as well showing pics on how to do it. It was a lot of work but it was really fun. I'm quite impressed if I don't say so myself!! hee hee I didn't realize I could really do it.

Working Away... I can't wait to show you the rest. Really would like your comments on it. Suggestions, changes, your own experience on building your own!

WOW!! THATS AWESOME!! I can't wait to see the final version!!! I can't imagine working with an awesomely shaped tank like yours!!! I could barely get mine to fit on my plane old rectangle tank!!!

Sweet!!! Hahaha A mask I never were masks when I have working with stuff like that!!! Only masks that cover your entire face!!! Well anyhow good luck!!!

Awesome.. I thought I had to be creative with a bowfront basking area... can't wait to see the final product.

N4784N R4613 wrote:WOW!! THATS AWESOME!! I can't wait to see the final version!!! I can't imagine working with an awesomely shaped tank like yours!!! I could barely get mine to fit on my plane old rectangle tank!!!

OMG It was so easy in my head. It was also easy up until you get to the front where you have those two angled corners. AHHHHHH I almost threw the whole project out the window but eventually I made it work. Cutting Plexiglass perfectly isn't exactly like baking a cake.

looks good!

That's a very odd shaped tank, do you know how many gallons it holds? It looks like you're well on the way to having a beautiful setup! Post some pics of the finished product.......

That is an odd tank, but I love it! I can't wait to see the basking area.

Haha yes it is a very odd tank. It is 43 Gal. I am getting extremely frustrated with how I am going to set up the top part of the tank.



I have a 30" Light (24"bulb) that is pretty skinny. However it is about 3" high and when put in front it sort of covers part of the basking area (from a view perspective) but there is no where else to put it. Then this awkward open area on top that I would like to be covered. I'll either have to get a customized 1/4 thick plexiglass to cover it or who knows. It is hard to work with though.

I found the tank on craigslist. I paid only $75 for it plus the stand. After thoroughly cleaning it, I have to say it was one GREAT BUY. I have been looking for them online and they are over $600 for this shaped tank. It is quite rare.

hey osh, thats a def a great deal on that tank!!..i woulda been all over that.

lookin forward to seein the finished setup...good luck!

Well, not done yet but that is where it will sit and if you look closely you can see the ramp below the light. More to come when the rest of the parts come in on Tuesday!



And Manuel's response to interrupting his basking...

Mommy have food?

looking really good, he is gonna have a lot of swimming area

Such a cool tank! I LOVE the shape!

Ok getting there... had a few problems with the ramp but I'm in the process of fixing it. It was too steep before. Carpet finally came in and the little branch thingy. Got that in. Getting closer!! It should be done soon!

That is looking really good.