Equipment Review and Discussion :: Basking Areas

[TurtleOwner123]

I was wondering if you could buy extra attachments to go on to the top of a tank like extra place for basking. Also what are the best kinds ok basking area homemade or the store bought ones. If you can't buy an extra part for a tank can anyone give me an idea on how to build one i have some idea but i am not quite sure.

[SpotsMama]

Check out this section:

http://www.redearslider.com/index_light ... ing_2.html

Also, try a search on "platform" or "above tank" or something. There are lots of examples on here of really neat dyi projects for above tank basking areas with pictures and instructions.

[Ellic]

The best tank set up I have used was to make a plexie glass tank top four sided that fit over half of the tank at the base of this structure I used lobster trap wire which is a rubber coated wire this was what the turtle climbed upon and due to the flexibility of the wire I was able to bend part of it down for a ramp this set up allows for max tank water usage as well as good drainage for your turtle so that they are not basking in a pool of water. the plexie glass addition was held together with the use of marine grade silicone and the wire connected with plastic electrical cable ties. My camera is currently loaned out , but I will submit a picture next week.

[Pizza]

The most popular and frequent store bought basking area here is the Zoo-Med Turtle Dock. It floats, it's very easy to set up (stick the 4 suction cups to glass), and doesn't take much space.

It works superb for small to mid-sized turtles (which most owners have right now), but for large turtles, it doesn't do the job. Even the largest size of Turtle Dock sold can only support a 5-6 inch turtle, any larger and it begins to sink.

For this reason, I have had a bad experience with it, seeing as my turtles are 7-11 inches, and it sinks all the way down when they climb on it. But for small turtles, it's a fine store bought turtle dock.

For homemade, may have made them, with many different choices of materials and designs (such as above tank blasking platform), but do a search. The most common, and easy to make basking areas are ones made of plexiglass or PVC pipes.

[RunninWideOpen]

I had the same problem with my turtle dock sinking. I've got two turtles, 5" and 6". I made some brackets out of stainless steel sheet metal that hang on the side of the aquarium and hold up the dock. It works great! Both of the boys can climb up there and won't sink. And since they're stainless steel, they won't corrode in the water.

When I have more time I want to make something similar to the turtle ramp on the dr.somethingansomething website. I'll let everyone know if it works.

[camee1991]

FYI...Just got off another forum and I asked the same ??? cause I have a 9 inch RES that sinks her zoo med dock ramp also...BUT someone uses a Magna Float (algae scraper, magnetic) and sticks it under the bottom of the suction area of the dock and it holds her 4 lb turt! I just bought the Magna Float from Petsolutions.com! Cleans your algae too...lol:)

Camee