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hey for my above tank basking area i want somthing for for bottom of the basking area and i was wondering about wood chips. but if that won't work please list some other ideas! thanks

Wood chips will probably get tracked/pushed back into the tank by your turtle and can clog the filter and generally make a mess. Most people opt for something that will be warm like a tile or a few have used some sort of artificial grass... just make sure it's not too abrasive.

A piece of cork bark would probably work. Not little pieces but one big sheet.

umm ok..... but if i end up using wood chips it wouldn't hurt my turtle would it?

Personally I wouldn't use them because I think splinters would come off as the turtle crawls around on it.

You also don't want to run the risk of him eating the chips. Corkbark is a good cheap alternative if you're worried about cost. If convenience is the issue, most basking spot materials can be picked up at any supply/hardware store (and are cheap as well).

Tiles are like two bucks each, and you don't have to replace them.

if you make a above resting area that hang over the side of the tank you could make it deep enuff where if fillied with sand she (if female) could lay her eggs as well

I posted this recently about wood chips/mulch... "Certain types of wood (particularly the oil in them) can irritate the skin and sensitive membranes. There's also concern about the source of the wood and whether or not it has been chemically treated (pesticides, coloring agents, scents, etc) or contaminated. Lastly,I wouldn't want wood chips in the water since they might be eaten or clog the filter."