Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, Ive been looking for a nice basking spot for my 5 pet turtles who share a 55 gallon tank, there all between 2.5" and 5". I've been using bricks for now but they seem to have trouble climbing on them and i dont want them to get hurt or scratched. Anyone know of something good to use for basking?

Thanks

well, i would love to hear some great responses to that question aswell. I think its a problem that plague's all turtle owners until they find a solution that suits them. As of now, i have a pile of rocks, with a big rock on top. On each side there are two 'ramp' rocks leading up to it, so my painted can walk up and not have to climb. I also have some corkbark floating around, that he loves to just rest on (although he's too big for it now, it sinks as soon as he gets on it).

Alot of people use bricks, maybe you could use bricks to get the right height, and then but something on top of that that wouldn't be as difficult to climb. Some people use plexiglass, and i don't really know anything about that. I wondered about making something myself, but i wouldn't know what glue (or plexiglass) would be safe to be used in an aquarium. Another option is driftwood, but be very careful to sterilize it. I would probably boil it then dry it out, i think most people bake it though. I hear it grunges up the water though, and that stuff starts to grow on it (probably a sign of a healthy ecosystem though).

Anyways, those are the most popular ideas. It's not very easy to come up with something that works for everyone though, so i suggest a carefully stacked pile of rocks!

K!LOS

p.s: I'm second to post!!!

Well...1st off...you might want to get a bigger thank... but then............................

for basking spots i use slate, flat rocks, and some corkbark and some driftwood

Im sorry but what is corkbark and where would you be able to find it? Thanks

>>Hey guys, Ive been looking for a nice basking spot for my 5 pet turtles who share a 55 gallon tank, there all between 2.5" and 5". I've been using bricks for now but they seem to have trouble climbing on them and i dont want them to get hurt or scratched. Anyone know of something good to use for basking?
>>
>>Thanks

A basking area idea: Partition
I started by silconing a plexiglass partition towards one end of the tank. This partition should be as tall as the water is to be deep plus approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inches. After allowing this to cure for a little over 24 hours I filled the "land" side with aquarium gravel. You can fill this most of the way with rocks and bricks leaving a border in front and about 2 1/2 inches to the top and then fill it the rest of the way with gravel. This uses less gravel but is undetectable from outside the tank.
Now add a layer of aquarium gravel in the "water side" approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep. Some people recommend against gravel in the main tank area due to cleaning problems but I believe it creates a much more natural environment.
Now add larger rocks for the turtles to climb on and use either large rocks or bricks to build an access ramp for the land area. I always like to add a large branch or piece of driftwood to allow the turtles to suspend at the surface of the water without having to get completely out on land.
Another Basking Idea:hanging tupperware
I have a little trick for a basking area that also allows more swimming area but isn't as difficult to make.
Take a Tupperware dish approximately 2 to 3 inches deep and about 6 to 8 inches square. Put 4 holes in it so it can be suspended from the top of the tank. You can use wire or coat hangers to hang it.
Fill the pan with aquarium gravel. Now hang the pan so that it is completely underwater. Yes completely under water. You want the top of the pan about 1/2 to 3/4 inches below the water surface. Now get a couple of bricks or flat rocks to place towards the back half of the pan. If you get the height right, the turtles can swim right onto the front half of the "platform" and step right up out of the water onto the bricks or stones.
I hope that makes sense.
This allows for a basking area and swimming space underneath.
Another Idea:cork bark
You can go to your local pet store and get some cork bark. These usually come in strips about 4 inches wide and about 13 to 18 inches long. Buy a few of these and cut three pieces to the same length as the tank is front to back. Probably better to cut them just a hair long so they can be wedged in place. Place one all the way to one end of the tank, whichever end you want the basking area to be. The bottom of the piece of bark should be level with the surface of the water. Now place the second piece against the first so that you have a platform approximately 8 inches by whatever the tank size is. Now slide the third piece up to the second but instead of keeping it level, slant it so that it is half under water and slant up to the level pieces.
This creates a ramp that they can swim right up on and just walk right onto land.
Now for my basking platforms
I was looking at my aquariums one day and thought about how much space my basking areas were occupying.
I decided I would design a new basking platform that would allow the same basking area but not take up as much tank space.
What I came up with was a plexiglass box suspended on aquarium tube columns.
I added a ramp for easy access and put it all together with aquarium silicone.
UPDATE 12-27-01
I have redesigned my platform and have gone to an aluminum design.
The aluminum platforms will never rust and are sturdier then the plexiglass platforms. The new ramp design is also easier for the turtles to use.
I added a strip of aquarium background around the main tray for aesthetics and a rubber bath mat to the ramp for improved traction.
I hope to market the aluminum platform in the near future.
partition

hanging tupperware dish

corkbark

platform

plexiglass platform 1

plexiglass platform 2

Aluminum platform 1

aluminum platform 2

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Jimmy (draybar)

go here to see my habitats and some of these basking areas in use.
Draybar

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Jimmy (draybar)

I'd say we have the king of turtle platforms! I might just make that hanging tupperware platform. Wouldn't the coathangers rust or add unwanted polutants into the water though?

K!LOS

>>I'd say we have the king of turtle platforms! I might just make that hanging tupperware platform. Wouldn't the coathangers rust or add unwanted polutants into the water though?
>>
>>K!LOS

Yes, they can rust but the coated ones take quite a while to rust and they are pretty easy to change. Not to mention the fact that everyone has more coat hangers then they know what to do with.
So, my suggestion would be to make a set that works for your application and then make two or three sets to match. Just watch for any signs of rust and change when needed. A little rust in the water isn't harmfull. Now, if you were to throw a few pieces or steel in the tank and just let them rust until gone then you might need to worry, otherwise pretty safe and easy to change.
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Jimmy (draybar)