Equipment Review and Discussion :: Basking Area

[sarah]

I am hoping you guys can help me with this.
We are getting a new tank (still 10 gal) and I am going to get rid of the gravel. Then I'll need a new basking area though. So, what can I use?
The only store in my town in Wal Mart. No pet stores and no other stores at all within 3 hours. (lol)
Can I make something?
I have 2 weeks exactly to get something so please help.

Also, I was going to add a few river rocks to the bottom and there will be a fliter and all that good stuff but is there anything else she'll need?
She's about 3 inches.

[jenaero]

I'm no good with building a basking area, I'm sure others will chime in on that. I just popped in to tell you that 10gal is too small for a 3 inch turtle. The rule of thumb is 10 gal of space for each inch of turtle. He'll need a 30gal minimum. You may want to go even larger to save money later on.

[sarah]

I know.
I am going to buy him a tank once I start working this Summer but for now I have no job (except h/s which I don't get paid for:)) My parents are buying it and trust me, I had to talk them out of a fish bowl! lol
I feel bad...but he is thriving in his little environment with the minor changes for now.

[Spookster]

Setting up a proper habitat for a turtle can be quite expensive. You have to realize that your turtle is going to grow to be 9-12 inches in shell length. It will need a large tank or pond. If you go with tank whether it be glass or acrylic you should get at least a 90 gallon tank.

As for a basking area when they are small you can buy those floating dock ones. My turtle is a full grown female who I have in a 90 gallon glass tank. I built an above tank basking area out of wood and other supplies I got from the hardware store.

[sarah]

Okay, again, I am not the one buying the tank and am therefore quite obligated to except what I get for now.
The turtle was "rescued" so to speak and I admit I wasn't ready for the expense but I'm working on it so can we please quit guilt tripping me?

Will they sell a floating dock at wal mart?
How big of a turt can it hold?

[cam722]

There is some bit of info you may wish to pass on to your parents, that in the long run buying a bigger tank will cost less money. It saves on multiple upgrades..

Maybe there's some way you can work out a deal with them by doing more chores or something around the house to work off the expense of a bit larger tank? Have you shared this website with them? Just thinking of things that would work on me.. as I'm a parent .. lol.

I don't think anyone is trying to guilt trip you btw, just offering suggestions and advice. You can only do the best you can do and no one expects you to be able to do more than that.

Oh btw, I don't believe walmart sells floating docks. They don't sell much in the way of turtle supplies. You'd have to go to a bigger pet chain store or a local fish/pet store to find one. You can also order them online... and the cost is usually significantly less even with the shipping and handling. Keep us updated on how things go with the new habitat

[Spookster]

Yeah getting things online is a good way to go in mosts cases. Pet stores I've found have a considerable mark-up. Buying online carries a cost of shipping but in many cases is still lower than the outrageous prices pet stores charge.

Three places i've ordered things from are

www.drsfostersmith.com
www.bigalsonline.com
www.4littlepets.com


For basking platforms:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/N ... 006+113872
http://www.4littlepets.com/index.asp?Pa ... egory=2012
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/cat ... ry_id=4070

[sarah]

Have any links for a larger plactic aquarium?

[sonyj]

No links for a large plastic tub, but a suggestion. Next time you are in a larger city/town where there is a Sam's Club check for a Sterlite storage bin. I found one there here while back that was 44 gallon for $14. It would have made the perfect place for a turtle habitat if I had needed it, and I almost bought it anyways.

[marisa]

Can't speak for how good their prices are, but for links you might take a look at www.reptiletubs.com