Finnished another basking area

[02476lisa]

Just finnished my 3rd basking area.My turtles each have their own tank with basking area now ;D

this is the new one




and the two i built a while ago

[turtlegirl]

They look really good. How do you make them? I am sure many forum members would like instructions so thyr can make something similar for their turtles. Do they have a glass front?

[02476lisa]

Thanks :-) the front is made from a Perspex sheet.it costs about £16 for a sheet from b&q.it costs roughly £30 for the Perspex and wood and I use a zoo med turtle dock for them to walk up.i screw it to the platform base.i wasn't sure if it would work but it holds just fine :-). I'll post detailed instructions on how I build them tomorrow

[02476lisa]

Ok so if anyone would like a go at making one yourself,you need a sheet of perspex for the front and the basking area,a couple of tiles on the basking area for grip ,some strip wood for the frame and a sheet of hardboard for the back and sides.I also used a zoomed dock for the ramp,but you could try using something else instead.I prefered it as it is already made to be in water.

Measure up your tank and cut the stripwood slightly longer then the true measurements so it fits over the tank.cut your hardboard back and sides and fix the wood strips to the bottom,leaving about an inch gap,so it gives the basking area an edge so it wont slide off the tank if knocked.Then cut your perspex to fit the front.Its easier to work with if you cut it using a jigsaw.Carefully drill holes through the sides and the bottom edge and fix this to the front of the wood strips.Cut another sheet of perspex for the basking platform.Use a piece of stripwood and cut to fit from front to back where you want your basking area to be and fix the perspex in place using a little aquarium silicone.You can then either use a small piece of perspex or a couple of short pieces of wood to fix the basking area in place.If using a zoomed dock,drill 3 small holes on the bent side of the dock,and screw the wood or perspex in place.Then fix it to the strip of wood that you fitted for the basking area.It will bend and possibly snap if you dont support the basking ramp out of water as its quite heavy,so its best to have the tank full of water ready.Once the basking ramp is in the water it is stable.If using a strip light for the uv bulb,fix two extra pieces of wood on the back for the light holders as i have done with mine.Then you just need to place your tiles over the perspex basking area and fix your thermometer in place.

I think i have covered just about everything.I hope it gives a rough idea of how i built mine.If anyone is unsure,please ask

[turtlegirl]

Thanks for posting detailed instructions. I'm tempted to have a go later on and treat mine to a super basking area like yours

[02476lisa]

I hope i explained it ok,the picture should help with the instructions
If you do make one please post a picture,would be great to see

[secdean02]

thats some serious turtletopia!

[02476lisa]

May 15, 2012 18:17:12 GMT secdean02 said:

thats some serious turtletopia!

Thanks! ;D