Habitat - Indoor :: New basking spot - turtles refusing...

[rockyntrixi]

I just made a beautiful basking ramp, but my turtles are now refusing to 'bask'. Is there anything I can do that will encourage them to try it out????

....by the way it is super cool. ;]

I will post pics... :]

[Lantic]

Theres really nothing you can do except give them time.

[BullDog]

How long have they had the new one? It can take them a couple weeks to get used to it. Make sure your basking temp is 85-90, and the water temp is 78 for hatchlings, or 74-76 for adults.

[rockyntrixi]

Its only been 2-3 days so, not that long at all. The 'floor space' of the new basking spot measures 24 inches x 48 inches and their old one was 18 inches x 12 inches, so there's a lot more 'open space' for them to get used to.

[rockyntrixi]

Here's a link to my 'turtle/basking ramp'...


http://s731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/rockintrixi/


If anyone wants to know 'specifics', I'll post instructions on how it was made.

Thanxs everyone for posting on this website. It helped me when it came to finishing this ramp.

take care!!!

P.S. Photobucket put a few of my pics on another page, so 'click' page two to see more pics. :]

[theartbook35]

Wow, that is a very cool basking area.

What I did with my less than desirable basking spot (makes tank cleaning hard, will be removed soon), was I bought a cloth and plastic vine and just wrapped it around the edge of their spot. They seem to really like it. A few river rocks will pick up the heat too, and my turtles enjoyed cuddling up to those for extra warmth. I keep my basking spot at 85 degrees (the water is 75) and the rocks don't pick up enough heat to cause any burns.

[rockyntrixi]

Guess what all!!!!

My Rocki Road is finally 'baskin' again!!! As soon as one of them started to sun, the other followed through (Rocki wouldn't let him up through the hole, soooo no sunning for her - better luck next time!)

-rockintrixi

[trudykurz]

that is really cool! I would love to see instructions on how you built that and the materials that you used, I want to build an ATBA for my turt. Beautiful job!

[rockyntrixi]

I made this with:


2 - 4ft x 2ft x 3/4in pieces of wood (bottom & back)
2 - 2ft x 2ft x 3/4in pieces of wood (sides)
2 - 2in x 4in x 8 ft pieces of wood (legs)
1 - 1in x 4in x 2ft craft wood (for front - to attach latches)
1 - 12in x 3in x 3/4in piece of wood (for front to 'steady' bottom to cross beam)
2 - 24in x 18 in pieces of plexiglass
1 - Large turtle ramp
1 - Roll of plastic 'pet screen' (in the 'screen' section at home depot)
3 - Medium door hinges (2 for plexiglass front doors) (1 for connecting turtle ramp underneath to bottom of box)
2 - Medium "locking" hinges (for legs - the locking hinge prevents the legs from accidentally being bumped and coming out from under the box)
8 - Medium "L" brackets
2 - Latches (to keep plexiglass up)
1 - Plastic floor runner (you get it at home depot by the foot - works well)
2 - Rolls of background (2ft x 48in.)


So, I took all the wood and connected them together using "L" brackets (no cutting needed when putting sides and bottom together). I didn't create a top since the box is so tall that there's no way they can climb it. The only wood I had to cut was the front brace and middle brace (between the 2 plexiglass front pieces).

Then, I cut a hole in the bottom, connect the turtle ramp with hinge to bottom. I had to put 'pet screen' on the turtle ramp (using twist ties) so that they can climb the ramp. After that, I attached plexiglass for the front using door hinges (so that they can freely open) and then put two latches the top brace on so, that when the plexiglass is closed they stay closed. Lastly, I put lock hinges to the bottom of the box for the legs and then attached the legs.

I put the background on the sides and then put the 'floor runner' on the bottom (to make it easy to clean) with a hole through the 'runner' for the hole in the wood. Since my turtles like 'pet screen', I decided to put a piece of it on the bottom on top of the floor runner for them to 'scratch' their claws on.

I hope that makes sense....lol....I guess it is harder to write than do...If you need more explanation let me know...

P.S. I forgot....since it is wood, I put aquarium sealant around the hole up through the bottom to keep the wood somewhat safe.

[trudykurz]

Thank you very much for the detailed instructions. I may need more explanation as I build this! I had a basic idea of what I wanted but I was really having difficulty figuring out how to attach a ramp. I am printing your pictures to use as reference. What size tank do you have this on? BTW your turts are really cute!

[rockyntrixi]

I have this on a 55 gallon tank, but made it 24 inches wide, so that I can put it on a 125 gallon tank (in the near future). I am still not completely happy with the 'door hinge' idea that I used on the ramp since they are having a hard time 'climbing' it. I want to figure out how to make that part detachable (the 'ramp' from the box'), so that it is easier to remove it if I want to take the whole thing off the tank and clean it.

I'll try to take a few 'pics' of some of the small details like of the top clasps, etc. I love the fact that I took the time to make the front 'easily accessible' with hinges and clasps....and I love the fact that I didn't have to 'cut' much wood for this project (I don't have alot of tools... :[ ).

Good Luck!

[trudykurz]

I have the opposite problem. I have all the tools to cut the wood I was just struggling with the angle of a ramp and how to attach it, as well as how to keep it stable on top of the tank. I've been worried that the whole thing would crash to the floor if one of my dogs bumped into it. Thank you so much for all your information and help. I am finishing up the tank stand right now and will start on this project in the next few days. I'll let you know how it goes!

[rockyntrixi]

What size tank do you have???

With the 'ramp angle', I have thought of taking a "L" bracket and bending it to the angle I wanted (45 degree angle). Let me know how things are coming along....I'll be back on Tuesday...and will take more pics to post up in photobucket, as well....I'll try to get them on sooner (tonight maybe) for reference sake...Good Luck!

Oh yeah, make sure you cut the hole big enough for the size of your turtles...mine are quite large...so....first 'cut' didn't work out that well....lol

[trudykurz]

I only have a 40 gallon breeder tank. I'm looking for a much larger one. My girl is 7" long and I know this is not the best setup for her but she was found in a 5 gallon tank last September on the back porch of a house so she is in much better conditions now. That's funny what you said about the L bracket, I thought about that also. But it would have to be stainless so it doesn't rust. And you are right, it would have to be bent to a 45 degree angle to accomodate the ramp. I had planned on building an enclosure to cover the top of the tank so I wouldn't have to worry about her getting into the basking area or escaping from it if that makes sense. Thank you so much for your help and I love the pics!

[rockyntrixi]

Yes, if you make it as large as I did, it will 'cover the tank'. I am still having some trouble with them 'adjusting' to the larger basking area. They come up on it usually once a day, but not for a long period of time.....lol....I just looked over and Rocki is up there right this second!!! YEAH!!! My littler turtle (Trixi Monkey), does just like her name is: "Monkey see, Monkey do". She can also climb like a little 'monkey' too, she used to 'climb' the side of the tank to 'escape' (which isn't an easy feat).

Good luck, and I'll try to take pics of those latches for tomorrow to post on photobucket. I'll 'post' here to let you know when there 'up'.