Habitat - Indoor :: Making an Above Tank Basking Area HELP!

[dawilliams2011]

Hello All.

I have a 3 yr RES who is about 5.5 inches in length. He has outgrew his cork bark basking area and I would like to build an above tank basking area (ATBA) for him. I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

I've have search this forum and YouTube but I haven't really found any DIY tutorials. I was thinking about using Plexi Glass and putting acquarium carpet on the platform. I would like for the basking platform to look nice but it doesn't have to be perfect.

Please give me instructions on this posting or post links to other postings or YouTube vids.

Thanks Turtle Talk people!

[VeipaCray]

How you build the ATBA depends on a few things. 1. Budget. 2. Tools that you have access to. 3. Your skillset when it comes to building things.

Have you seen this thread? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15260

I also have a build thread linked in my signature. I used wood, acrylic and tile for my atba.

[dawilliams2011]

My preferred budget is around $50-75. I have my buddy who is very handy helping me. Therefore, my skill set is pretty good.

Thanks for the link, but I did see that. It just has pix but no "how to's." I checked out your thread but it doesn't really show how to construct the ramp and connect it to the platform and how to connect the platform to the walls.

[VeipaCray]

As for my ramp... it's just a piece of acrylic (plexiglass is a brand of acrylic) cut to size. I drilled holes in 2/3rds of it to allow the turtle some grip. I heated the acrylic with a propane torch and bent the angle into the ramp.

My basking platform is a cheap ceramic tile from the hardware store. It was cut to size and just lays in the inner rim of the tank.

The ramp is epoxied to the underside of the tile.

The "walls" of my ATBA aren't connected to the basking platform/ ramp at all. The hood for my tank is one piece and that just sits on the top of the rim of the tank. The platform & ramp is a second piece and that just sits in the lip of the top rim. The whole thing is two pieces.

[ytse411]

VeipaCray - what do you use for your "walls"?

I too have a bent piece of acrylic, but it's too steep - I've always glued aquarium stones on it for grip, which is a PITA. Never thought about holes!

[VeipaCray]

The "walls" of my ATBA are wood with an acrylic window inlayed in the front for my viewing.

I went with holes because they are easy to clean. Take the ramp out, hose it off and you're done.

[sflemin2]

I plan on using Plexiglas for mine..do they scratch it up??

[happycamper]

I find the plexiglass section of my ATBA usually looks kinda grimey, because Sheldon splashes so much getting off his dock. Most of mine is made of wood.

Really easy to make, here's a thread with some pics.

[sflemin2]

Ug thats what I was afraid of. I wanna be able to see them up there

[happycamper]

I think partial plexi but mostly wood is ideal because you can still see them from certain angles, but it gives them the comfort of privacy while basking.

[sflemin2]

Thanks