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I've left the original post below, I didn't want to start a new thread for this. Creating a new basking area for Spots has been postponed. Over the weekend I had an emergency with one of my other pets, my parrot, Zephyr. Today, he passed away. I am heartbroken beyond words. He had a rough life, and he fought hard.

Anyway, i removed Spots from the tank today, and she is in the dry dock bin until I can fix her tank. Currently for her basking area I have two bridges sided by side on a PVC support ala devilduck. You can look up my past posts to see pictures. I've taken everything out of the tank and removed most of the water. The rest of it will come out tomorrow if I have time, if not, maybe Thursday. Once it and the filter are clean, I can either put it all back where it is with the way it was set up, or I can move it and try to set it up with the wooden loft structure as a basking area.

This is where I need help. I'm having a hard time moving forward with decisions or making these plans happen faster because of the situation with my parrot. Before it was a matter of time and availability, now, obviously I am dealing with overwhelming grief. But I know I have to get it done because Spots needs the right environment.

So...a)put it all back the same way or b)move it and try to make a new basking area?

My concern with the current area is, it is small for her, and it's awkward, takes up space in the tank, and I'm afraid she'll be able to climb out if I keep the water level high enough for her to get onto the bridges.


Original post:
I have been trying to come up with a quick way to give Spots a better basking area. I don't want to do anything elaborate bc she's in a 55 gallon that I'd like to upgrade. But we're moving this summer, so I'm going to upgrade after we move. I was looking through all the basking area pics, and it made me think about a wooden structure we already have but aren't using, and I am wondering if I can make it work for now. It was originally built as a loft for a guinea pig cage. We don't have gp's anymore. I can't remember how tall it is, so that part may need some work. Also, I need to figure out a ramp, and how to waterproof the basking surface. And then the sides have wire storage cubes tacked on...I don't know if those hole sizes are too big to be safe, but I could replace them. Here is a picture of it. What do you think?

It looks nice but I think a determined RES would be able to climb that. A smooth surface, usually glass or plastic is normally used. I like the ATBAs that have a simple dock on or near the top, and just some acrylic around to prevent an escape.

I still need to measure it, but it's going to be short. The wire shelf pieces were 14 inches so I think it's going to come out at close to 40 inches tall, and the top of the tank is 53 inches. Aside from being able to climb it, the holes in the wire are big enough she could stick her head through. I could weave some fake plants through, or replace it with diffuser. And there are a couple of ways I can block her access off the side and top. I just can't commit to anything custom built for the current tank.

The rectangular top part is 17 inches tall, and with the legs, it's 47. So basically, I'd have to elevate it 22 inches to get the bottom even with the top of the tank.

I think when it's wire, they will try to climb it. It would need to be extra secure.

Bumping this up...

Has anything changed? You still want to have an attached basking area?

Well that's what I'm eying to figure out. Would it be better to keep it status quo, given the cons of the current set up, or would it be better to change it, not knowing exactly how to do it right now?

If you're planning on upgrading soon and Spots is comfy basking in the current setup, then I would hold off.