I'm having the same issue. My buddy is getting to big. Im gonna have to make a bigger one and push it out a few feet from the tank and build some legs to support it.
I placed kitchen tile on it. Our turtle hates the way egg crate feels on his feet, but he loves kitchen flooring. We tried a similar design in the past and I saw him clawing at the egg crate in anger.
Recently a friend had a turtle that she was just supposed to watch (but it got abandoned. the owner didn’t come back). I took him in! I mostly had experience with snakes and bugs. this poor guy never even had a light for 3 years! and he was way too nervous to get on ANY rock. but this worked PERFECTLY. Thank you so much :)
i'm getting my first turtle ever and you're one of the most helpers ever you're just helping me on what I need for it and mistakes so I don't make mistakes
Im a new turtle mom (I adopted her from my sister because she couldn't take care of her.) And the basking platform is not great quality so I figured I would make one this tutorial is perfect!!! Thanks 😊
I've seen a few DIY basking-area vids since becoming a turtle mom. They have all been helpful but this one is the most organized and informative. Peep and Turbo say, "Thank you!" (Again :) )
I gots big turts... so I'll probably full my legs with sand, also get a couple T's that I'll make the ramp with. Planing on using screws to keep the ramp strong and adjustable
OMG just found your channel but wish I had a long time ago. You have some amazing content here and I especially enjoy the fun ''DIY'' parts! Subscribed, and going to watch your older videos in my free time. Keep up the great work! :)
I have two turtles also.and I was using a plastic storage crate for my Koi fish for them to hide like a cave.it did works they love,at first they were kind of scared.also of my Turtles i am using a wide blocks cement block for them to hide and on top of it a small crate for them to bask it did works also
You are the best. Got my first turtle on labor weekend of 2019. You, turtle girl... just help me so much a long the way. So much great info. Great video as always. Thanks
@@TheTurtleGirl how do I get my turtles to bask? I bought an over the top basking platform and my turtle do no go in there. I threw away the first platform I had.
@@TheTurtleGirl I just got my turtle yesterday and I just bought a 60 dollar basking area and it does not even fit my turtle. I wish I saw this video before but the damage has been done
I have a very large female turtle. Like 10+ inches that I want to make one of these for. My only concern is will the ramp hold her weight? Or the egg crate in general for that matter?
I built one of these for my YBS because she was simply too big for any other basking solution I've seen. My problem is that the ramp won't stay up, and she doesn't seem to be able to figure out how to get up on the platform. Any suggestions?
Great video! I hadn't seen you online for a while and then this one came up. I made a platform with a cover for a tank my "King Tuttle the Turtle" was in (large male RES.) Now I have him in a 110-gallon kiddie pool and made a platform out of stones - he doesn't like it, so I have been thinking of making him a new platform. I actually hadn't thought through how to make it free-standing, so your video helped a lot! Tut is quite mischievous though, so I will have to figure out how to keep him from moving it to the side of his "Turtle Cove" ... but I think I can do it by adding the elbows at the base of the legs and making the base hit the sides of the kiddie pool. Will let you know how it goes.
Hello! For a video suggestion, can you please talk about Musk turtles, because he never ever basks. I’ve watched your video about basking and how musk turtles rarely bask, but mine never does. Thank youuu
Thanks for the awesome info!! I followed your easy to understand directions and went right to the hardware store, got my supplies and went to work. Now my turtles have a basking area that can actually accommodate them which I found impossible to find at any pet store!! Two thumbs up!! 👍🏽👍🏽
Is there anyway I could make it so that it doesn’t have the legs and have it suction cupped I’m just scared he’ll get stuck in between the glass and egg crate
Not sure if you’ll reply BUT do you know if the turtle being on top of the egg crate for some time hurts them? I ask because to my touch putting my hand on it for like 10 seconds starts to hurt so I wonder if it hurts their shell or something ?
I have been looking and looking for a good turtle dock for a long time and never found anything right. Your video inspired me. I watched it, built it exactly as you described, and now my turtle is very happy. What a perfect custom dock. Thank you!!!
Glad I found you. I was given an adult red ear slider just last night. Because it was an emergency situation, I had no chance to prepare or research. All I have to put him in is a 17 gallon long tank with no accessories other than a filter. At least it's better than the bucket that was only about 4 inches wider than him that he has been living in for the past week. But I want him to be happy, not just surviving. I am also low income so I can't afford fancy accessories. I will save this video for when I can buy the supplies to make this. I also need help. I know he needs a bigger tank. Other than that, what else does he need? What is top priority? Any other advice would be awesome
we're like one of those reading lights work because that's the only basking thing I have and I'm really scared of my turtle doesn't have enough light to bask but I do have one of those book reading likes it's about bright like not that bright but I just wanted to let you know that I need help and is a red stripe turtle a good pet for 8 year old cuz I'm 8 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😫😫😫😫😫😫
I made one of these that sits on top of the tank. It's basically a box. My question is what should I use to heat it? Should I use a heating pad or rock? Or just use a light?
Hi! If I have a baby turtle and want to use an above tank basking area, how should I do it? Since baby turtles need the water depth to be six inches, will the ramp up reach the water, or should I buy a six inch tank?
Hmmm, maybe I would try making a false bottom on the tank, so you'd still have the full amount of water, but not have it as deep....it would have to have spaces...but not too big that the turtle might get a foot or something stuck...or you could just make the ramp really long...
My turtle is skittish. I made him one of these and bought a turtle topper without success. Is possible because he is too small? His shell is about 2.5 inches.
Hey honey ❤ I enjoyed this can't wait to see your setup! I use pliers to cut egg crate but honestly in the end you get the same results as far as sharp edges. Your method looks much faster!! 👍👍👍
Also instead of using light diffuser as the platform, you can use a piece of tile or slate. Just make sure it's well secured and wont fall, it holds heat better and looks better especially if you paint the tubes (with aquarium safe paint)
@@filmgirlLisa My suggestion was just to swap the plastic light diffuser with a piece of tile. Everything else is the same, just make sure you attach the tiles well and they don't move or wiggle. You can do that with cable ties at the corners, there are many ways to attach them but I don't suggest doing it unless it's %100 secure, if it falls it can injure your turtles.
@@filmgirlLisa That was a while ago I've changed things since. It's just a regular ceramic floor tile, I didn't drill mine I just secured it with cable ties at the corners, the tile should be a little bit bigger than the indent below it so there's no chance it can fall through. For holes I recommend using diamond coated drill bits, they are made for glass and marble and such, you can easily find them at most hardware stores. Depending on where you get the tile, some places can cut it for you, if not you'll need to adapt your design to fit a standard size. Good luck! One more thing, you never want your tile suspended, you always want something supporting it from below
I have a question if anyone can answer that will be great but I’ve had my turtle for 6 months and she wonderful but she getting a little big for her stone bridge for her to sun bath and I upgraded her to a new better place it’s make out of egg crate and she just won’t touch it at all she can climb it cause I used a shrimp to make her try it out and she was able to now it’s been up for a week and she just won’t go up there and it worries me cause she need to bath and all she does is spend time in the water someone help !!!
This video was so helpful! I moved my turtles into stock tanks and it's freakin impossible to find platforms. Now I don't need to scrub pillars of rocks every few days. Very easy DIY.
I Recently made a similar one, but it wasn't a basking platform, it was a bedding area so the top part has all plants for him to sleep on, instead of egg crate. It sat 2 inches below the water, so he can poke his head up easily for air whenever needed :) good tutorial.
i didn't realize it would be this easy and cheap to get the tools and make a safe turtle platform! i will be placing mine pretty high up, almost like a topper, but i will be using more egg crate on three sides as a fencing barrier, with aquarium safe glue! thank you for making this!
Do you think a 2-3 inch turtles feet would get stuck in the holes in the crate material?? For the moment, my turtle is tiny still so we're slowly building up to a full tank, but it's about 3/4 full as of now and his in-tank basking area will not work when I add the next few gallons!
Hello Turtle girl! I just made the ramp it was such a fun project! I think I might have build it too long. Do you think it will be dangerously hot? The temperature is now all the way up to 95 degrees. Do you have an email address?
I just got from a friend a red ear turtle about 8 inches and I have a water tank 50-60 gal I don't know anything about filter setups, please help whit info about what kind of filter to use for it
I just got my daughter a baby red ear slider. I'm trying to watch all your videos so I cansetup up the perfect tank. He is in a plastic tub fora day or two. Will he be fine?
Totally made a version of this last night! Thank you so much! One question, my turtle keeps trying to eat the zip ties? Any chance he will be able to break them?
Hey I got a question I just got a baby red eared slider and it's not eating I had it for 3 days ... u think it needs to get use to his environment before he starts to eat??
My poor turtle is too big and heavy for his dock now. This video pops up.
Perfect timing.
What a coincidence lol 😂
I wish I saw this before I just got a 60 dollar basking area that my turtle does not even fit on
I'm having the same issue. My buddy is getting to big. Im gonna have to make a bigger one and push it out a few feet from the tank and build some legs to support it.
Instablaster...
This is great! I have been looking for one big enough. my red ear slider is 54 years old and still going strong
hope it goes well for you Susan! that's incredible that your turtle has been around that long!
you deserve atleast 100,000 subscribers because your videos are amazing and are extremely helpfull to me
Aw thank you!
Fr
NO
1000000 subs
@@Covid--md5fr yeah
RIGHT ON.. i have a baby snapper, you've been a BIG help,, thank you.!
Alysha?
I placed kitchen tile on it. Our turtle hates the way egg crate feels on his feet, but he loves kitchen flooring. We tried a similar design in the past and I saw him clawing at the egg crate in anger.
I made it! It's awesome! Thank you!!
Recently a friend had a turtle that she was just supposed to watch (but it got abandoned. the owner didn’t come back). I took him in! I mostly had experience with snakes and bugs. this poor guy never even had a light for 3 years! and he was way too nervous to get on ANY rock. but this worked PERFECTLY. Thank you so much :)
i'm getting my first turtle ever and you're one of the most helpers ever you're just helping me on what I need for it and mistakes so I don't make mistakes
Me too
Just made this platform for my turtle and he LOVES it!!!! Perfect idea!!! Highly recommend this for all you turtle parents!
Im a new turtle mom (I adopted her from my sister because she couldn't take care of her.) And the basking platform is not great quality so I figured I would make one this tutorial is perfect!!! Thanks 😊
I've seen a few DIY basking-area vids since becoming a turtle mom. They have all been helpful but this one is the most organized and informative. Peep and Turbo say, "Thank you!" (Again :) )
Thank you so much!
6:12 why was that actually kinda satisfying i-💀💀😭😭
It sounded like Minecraft when your breaking blocks
Its Rookie OMG YES-😭😂
I gots big turts... so I'll probably full my legs with sand, also get a couple T's that I'll make the ramp with.
Planing on using screws to keep the ramp strong and adjustable
Omg do you know how satisfying it is to see you cut the eggcrate 💗💗🌈💕💞💝
I’m going to be doing this for my turtles. They are too heavy for their floating basking and this is going to be perfect
great diy video. thank you for sharing. peace, love and blessings
OMG just found your channel but wish I had a long time ago. You have some amazing content here and I especially enjoy the fun ''DIY'' parts! Subscribed, and going to watch your older videos in my free time. Keep up the great work! :)
I have two turtles also.and I was using a plastic storage crate for my Koi fish for them to hide like a cave.it did works they love,at first they were kind of scared.also of my Turtles i am using a wide blocks cement block for them to hide and on top of it a small crate for them to bask it did works also
You are the best. Got my first turtle on labor weekend of 2019. You, turtle girl... just help me so much a long the way. So much great info. Great video as always. Thanks
Hey Turtle girl! 🙂 I wouldn't be able to do this myself without this amazing video. Thank you! Can you make a video of you using it?
Hi! 😊
@@TheTurtleGirl how do I get my turtles to bask? I bought an over the top basking platform and my turtle do no go in there. I threw away the first platform I had.
@@TheTurtleGirl I just got my turtle yesterday and I just bought a 60 dollar basking area and it does not even fit my turtle. I wish I saw this video before but the damage has been done
You literally uploaded this at the right time I’ve been looking for a video like this for a few days!
Thank you for awesome video this is very helpful for me
You take care of your turtles very well that your work tells you do perfect for them , good and you also looking so cool in this dress
I'm building one right now for my red ear slider.
Hey just subscribed!!! Love your vids... really helpful especially for my Terrapin, Floppy. Thanks for the tips... Keep up the good work!!!!
You teach better than most of my professors 😅
This is a helpful video, I might try this in the very near future :)
Looks pretty easy. Seems like you could camouflage it with plants and rocks with aquarium friendly glue
Does the egg crate not hurt their feet?
I have a very large female turtle. Like 10+ inches that I want to make one of these for. My only concern is will the ramp hold her weight? Or the egg crate in general for that matter?
Upgrading to tubs this weekend. Have to build a couple of these🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢
Any issues with the turtles eating the plastic egg crate on the ramp? Can you cover it in reptile carpet?
I built one of these for my YBS because she was simply too big for any other basking solution I've seen. My problem is that the ramp won't stay up, and she doesn't seem to be able to figure out how to get up on the platform. Any suggestions?
Great video! I hadn't seen you online for a while and then this one came up. I made a platform with a cover for a tank my "King Tuttle the Turtle" was in (large male RES.) Now I have him in a 110-gallon kiddie pool and made a platform out of stones - he doesn't like it, so I have been thinking of making him a new platform. I actually hadn't thought through how to make it free-standing, so your video helped a lot! Tut is quite mischievous though, so I will have to figure out how to keep him from moving it to the side of his "Turtle Cove" ... but I think I can do it by adding the elbows at the base of the legs and making the base hit the sides of the kiddie pool. Will let you know how it goes.
Does this eggcrate material float?
Hello! For a video suggestion, can you please talk about Musk turtles, because he never ever basks. I’ve watched your video about basking and how musk turtles rarely bask, but mine never does. Thank youuu
Musk turtles hard ever bask
Thanks for the awesome info!! I followed your easy to understand directions and went right to the hardware store, got my supplies and went to work. Now my turtles have a basking area that can actually accommodate them which I found impossible to find at any pet store!! Two thumbs up!! 👍🏽👍🏽
Is there anyway I could make it so that it doesn’t have the legs and have it suction cupped I’m just scared he’ll get stuck in between the glass and egg crate
Great video, keep it up 👍😁
I want to know what you think of my tank?
Use heavy duty scissors to cut it and then use the sides of the blades to scrape the sides of sharp plastic.
Can u make more videos about hatchlings plz and thank you
Thanks for the suggestion!
i have a baby red eared slider and it is not eating the food sticks is that normal?
my musk turtle has small feet, could he get stuck?
Not sure if you’ll reply BUT do you know if the turtle being on top of the egg crate for some time hurts them? I ask because to my touch putting my hand on it for like 10 seconds starts to hurt so I wonder if it hurts their shell or something ?
Mine looks a lot like this except I have a stone tile attached at the top.
I have been looking and looking for a good turtle dock for a long time and never found anything right. Your video inspired me. I watched it, built it exactly as you described, and now my turtle is very happy. What a perfect custom dock. Thank you!!!
We're did you get your milk snake
I love your channel! Thank you, these are so helpful :)
Glad I found you. I was given an adult red ear slider just last night. Because it was an emergency situation, I had no chance to prepare or research. All I have to put him in is a 17 gallon long tank with no accessories other than a filter. At least it's better than the bucket that was only about 4 inches wider than him that he has been living in for the past week. But I want him to be happy, not just surviving. I am also low income so I can't afford fancy accessories. I will save this video for when I can buy the supplies to make this.
I also need help. I know he needs a bigger tank. Other than that, what else does he need? What is top priority? Any other advice would be awesome
Egg crate or light diffuser. good job as always.
Ah yes, light diffuser! That was the other name for it....I couldn't remember haha
What is your thoughts on styrofoam wrapped in the plastic adhesive wrap?
we're like one of those reading lights work because that's the only basking thing I have and I'm really scared of my turtle doesn't have enough light to bask but I do have one of those book reading likes it's about bright like not that bright but I just wanted to let you know that I need help and is a red stripe turtle a good pet for 8 year old cuz I'm 8 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😫😫😫😫😫😫
You are one of the FIRST you tubers I watched before I got Willow. Thanks for your help! :D
I made one of these that sits on top of the tank. It's basically a box. My question is what should I use to heat it? Should I use a heating pad or rock? Or just use a light?
Light
Thank you Turtle Girl!!
Hi! If I have a baby turtle and want to use an above tank basking area, how should I do it? Since baby turtles need the water depth to be six inches, will the ramp up reach the water, or should I buy a six inch tank?
Hmmm, maybe I would try making a false bottom on the tank, so you'd still have the full amount of water, but not have it as deep....it would have to have spaces...but not too big that the turtle might get a foot or something stuck...or you could just make the ramp really long...
You can make a longer ramp
Just use zip ties so you can easily grab a shorter or longer ramp and attach it with no trouble.
Thats what i would do🤷 lol
@@TheTurtleGirl Thank you so much!
My turtle is skittish. I made him one of these and bought a turtle topper without success. Is possible because he is too small? His shell is about 2.5 inches.
Love your videos what do you recommend feeding a 3 inch yellow belly slider right now im feeding it pond sticks
I would feed a variety of pellets...you can also start introducing some vegetables :) kit.co/the_TurtleGirl/aquatic-turtle-food-kit
Hey honey ❤
I enjoyed this can't wait to see your setup! I use pliers to cut egg crate but honestly in the end you get the same results as far as sharp edges. Your method looks much faster!! 👍👍👍
Lol coool but I made my turtle a basking platform with legos, like big fat ones that are not edible
Also instead of using light diffuser as the platform, you can use a piece of tile or slate. Just make sure it's well secured and wont fall, it holds heat better and looks better especially if you paint the tubes (with aquarium safe paint)
For sure! You could even just put the tile on top of the eggcrate.
how did you build the ramp?
@@filmgirlLisa My suggestion was just to swap the plastic light diffuser with a piece of tile. Everything else is the same, just make sure you attach the tiles well and they don't move or wiggle. You can do that with cable ties at the corners, there are many ways to attach them but I don't suggest doing it unless it's %100 secure, if it falls it can injure your turtles.
@@kinnikuzero Hey thanks! What kind of tile did you use? Was it tough to drill holes in the corners?
@@filmgirlLisa That was a while ago I've changed things since. It's just a regular ceramic floor tile, I didn't drill mine I just secured it with cable ties at the corners, the tile should be a little bit bigger than the indent below it so there's no chance it can fall through. For holes I recommend using diamond coated drill bits, they are made for glass and marble and such, you can easily find them at most hardware stores. Depending on where you get the tile, some places can cut it for you, if not you'll need to adapt your design to fit a standard size. Good luck!
One more thing, you never want your tile suspended, you always want something supporting it from below
O, and you can find that egg crate stuff closer to the pvc with the ceiling stuff at your hardware shop
Hi i love your videos and keep up the great work you deserve more subscribers.
I have a question if anyone can answer that will be great but I’ve had my turtle for 6 months and she wonderful but she getting a little big for her stone bridge for her to sun bath and I upgraded her to a new better place it’s make out of egg crate and she just won’t touch it at all she can climb it cause I used a shrimp to make her try it out and she was able to now it’s been up for a week and she just won’t go up there and it worries me cause she need to bath and all she does is spend time in the water someone help !!!
Usually it takes them a while to adjust to the new basking area, I'd give it at least another week.
I've made an above basking area for my turtles out of egg crate
Nice!
Frick I am going to cry I just ordered one and it came as I got the notification on this video
Wow 21K Subs, that’s crazy. I remember when you were at 1000 subs. Keep up the good work!
Ayyyy you're an OG
@The Turtle Girl, I am, and I’m happy to see all of the improvements since then!
right on! very helpful video👍🏼👍🏼
Bravo love the idea thank you young lady
Do you put anything on top of this like artificial grass or a mat?
Do you have to sand the eggcrate for the ramp? or just as is?
I made one but all it does is float what am i doing wrong
I know this is late but can you make an easier version? I’m like really cheap and the pandemic is costing my to stay home.
Thank you and stay safe! ❤️
This video was so helpful! I moved my turtles into stock tanks and it's freakin impossible to find platforms. Now I don't need to scrub pillars of rocks every few days. Very easy DIY.
I just saw her video after this one
Where did you get 19 👎s does it offend anyone?
I Recently made a similar one, but it wasn't a basking platform, it was a bedding area so the top part has all plants for him to sleep on, instead of egg crate. It sat 2 inches below the water, so he can poke his head up easily for air whenever needed :) good tutorial.
That's really cool! A resting area is a great idea!
सुरत में यह crate कहा मिलेगी दीदी?
i didn't realize it would be this easy and cheap to get the tools and make a safe turtle platform! i will be placing mine pretty high up, almost like a topper, but i will be using more egg crate on three sides as a fencing barrier, with aquarium safe glue!
thank you for making this!
Love your videeos even if i dont have a turtle
Second! Is that an accomplishment...
Oh yeah! 👌🏽
GREAT EXPLANATION VIDEO :)
THANK YOU FROM ISRAEL :)
you are most welcome!
Wait, u live by yourself?
What turtle is in the thumbnail? Anyone know?
Diamondback terrapin :)
Thanks guys!
Fish are my specialty😂trying to get much more familiar with reptiles and amphibians😂
Do you think a 2-3 inch turtles feet would get stuck in the holes in the crate material?? For the moment, my turtle is tiny still so we're slowly building up to a full tank, but it's about 3/4 full as of now and his in-tank basking area will not work when I add the next few gallons!
Did this one, but they do not last long, they break after a few months, need something more long lasting
hey david, have you seen my plastic bin above tank basking area?
Hello Turtle girl! I just made the ramp it was such a fun project! I think I might have build it too long. Do you think it will be dangerously hot? The temperature is now all the way up to 95 degrees. Do you have an email address?
what is the type of turtle you have the white spotted one?
Diamondback terrapin 😊
I just got from a friend a red ear turtle about 8 inches and I have a water tank 50-60 gal I don't know anything about filter setups, please help whit info about what kind of filter to use for it
I just got my daughter a baby red ear slider. I'm trying to watch all your videos so I cansetup up the perfect tank. He is in a plastic tub fora day or two. Will he be fine?
Totally made a version of this last night! Thank you so much! One question, my turtle keeps trying to eat the zip ties? Any chance he will be able to break them?
Does anybody know if the inside of the tubes will accumulate a lot of poop and dirt? Do you remove them for cleaning when you clean the tank? Or how ?
Ok I have a question
I already have a platform made from PVC and eggcrate, but the legs slide and cause it to collapse sometimes so I will try your design.
I have some questions regarding my baby turtles. What’s the best way to message you?
My turtle is huge and too big for all basking platforms. Thank you for this, I’ll try to make one she can use!
Hey I got a question I just got a baby red eared slider and it's not eating I had it for 3 days ... u think it needs to get use to his environment before he starts to eat??
Yep! Just give it some time...it might take up to a week or two.
@@TheTurtleGirl it won't die from not eating? That what's I'm really worried about
How do you keep it from floating around?
Put it on the top of you lid so that it sits on the rim of you tank
All I need is a ramp to help my 18 inch slider get up on his basking rock. Any suggestions?