Habitat - Indoor :: ATBA idea/question

[shedreamsinred]

Anyone ever try using an acrylic riser for their ATBA? (http://thefixturezone.com/acsqri.html) It seems like a really easy way to do the walls, to me. Just pick a riser with the width dimension of your tank, turn it sideways, affix a piece of tile or some egg-crate to the bottom, and ... make a ramp? Am I ignoring some huge basic problem, because I didn't think I'd seen these being used and I am definitely going to look into it if there's not some obvious reason why this would suck.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I looks like they have acrylic on top i don't know if thats like glass and blocks out of UV rays or not. Does it?

[shedreamsinred]

I wouldn't be positioning it so that there's a top. It would be on it's side so that the three sides would make up the borders of the ATBA, without a floor or top. I would leave it open top and clip lights on the sides, and probably use a tile for the floor.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Oh sounds good.
Does the tile scrape the bottom of their shell?

[shedreamsinred]

Oh sounds good.
Does the tile scrape the bottom of their shell?

I don't know, I've seen a lot of people using what looks like ceramic tile for the floor of their basking areas. Anyone have any opinion on this?

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Yeah i have seen allot of people use it.
Also i see some people using carpet but wouldn't that trap moisture under there shell while they bask?

[Spike 7.62]

I just ordered a piece, so I'll let you know

-Spike

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Ordered a piece of tile or carpet?

[shedreamsinred]

Or plexi? I found a site where those pieces are like $20 instead of $50 btw.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Thats also a good option i see allot of people using that.
And allot cheaper.
Which ever one you want there both great items to use.

[jozzep]

Or plexi? I found a site where those pieces are like $20 instead of $50 btw.

Yeah that stuff is expensive! I built canopies on all my tanks, so i don't need it.The canopies cost me half the price these pieces of plastic would have cost me.

OP....You can buy a small piece at home depot for cheap and put it in the front where you can see inside, and use wood for the other sides.Also being that it's clear, i think the turtles may feel uncomfortable to get close to the sides.

[untsmurf]

I didn't use something like that because I didn't realize they existed. We used plexiglas as part of our atba, but only on the front door, the other sides were made using wood.

And as long as it's a smooth ceramic tile, it won't scratch the turtle's shell. I've never had experience with the reptile carpet because i was afraid it would mold over time and that it wouldn't hold any heat so it wouldnt create belly warmth for the turtle

[TartarugaVerde]

i went to home depot and bought acrylic and wood and made my atba for like $30, with all the accessories i got from the pet-shot etc...
uvb rays needs to have free access to your turtle, some mesh will block the rays, some acrylic and glasses too...
I had acrylic on top of the tank, but is not strong enough.. so i have wood and acrylic on the sides, i will put turf over the wood this week