Habitat - Indoor :: Help: Tank ATBA Suggestions? (pics inside)

[royboy1388]

Hi,

I have two red eared sliders. Shellmo who is 7 months old and Snoopy who is about 6 years old. I used to work at a pet store and someone left them in a 20 gallon tank outside of the store in the morning. I felt bad and decided to take them home.
They are currently in a 40 gallon TruVu Tank and i wish i could afford something bigger. Any suggestions on how to make the most of out my tank? I was thinking of building a second level on top my the tank out of plexiglass as a basking area. Has anyone tried this?

Thanks,
Roy

[GoGoCharlie]

I think theres a thread loating around that shows the different ways people have build thier basking areas.

I think they called em "ATBAs" for A.bove T.ank B.asking A.rea

One way you could increase your filters capability is by adding ghost shrimp to break up waste, and duckweed to soak up toxic chems. The duckweed is a very tiny invasive floating plant and while MY turtle eats it faster then it grows (doubles daily), i dont know if others will as well, but its a cheap sorce of vegetation. The only downside is that some dont like the layer of green leaves floating on the top of the water.

Theres also a plant that i cant recall the name of, but it grows un the gravel. it looks like tumbleweeds when you buy it, or when it breaks lose. And it can sometimes get in your filter, wich dependant on the type of filter, can requiring more constant changes.

[royboy1388]

Is there a link on how to build an ATBA? I really need ideas on how to build one for my tank. =)

[steve]

There are few good examples... how would you rate your building skills?

[royboy1388]

Hey,

I never tried building anything except legos when i was younger so my building skills would be a 2 out of 10, lol. I could do it as long as it isn't too complicated.
I can't think of any ideas for the ATBA for my tank. =/

[steve]

Probably the easiest thing to do would be to find a container that would sit inside the rim of your tank. That should offer some stability and you can secure and add lights with something like a Repti-Clamp Lamp. For the basking area, a nice piece of bark near the top would do.

[royboy1388]

Hi everyone,

I put off the ATBA project because of school. I have until Monday to create a suitable ATBA for them. What can i use to build the enclosure? Where can i find the glass, plexiglass or other material to build the enclosure?

Thanks.

[VeipaCray]

Your local hardware store will have everything you need. Common materials are wood, sheet acrylic (plexiglass) and light diffuser. Most large hardware stores will cut wood and acrylic for you if you ask.

Cork bark can be had at some pet stores.

[vear]

Did you look at the sticky on the subject?

[theartbook35]

Hey,

I never tried building anything except legos when i was younger so my building skills would be a 2 out of 10, lol. I could do it as long as it isn't too complicated.
I can't think of any ideas for the ATBA for my tank. =/

People have built basking docks out of legos. This could work to your advantage!