Hi I just got a red ear slider(8 inches) and I have no idea what to use for a basking spot that doesn't take up room. Anybody got any ideas for a turtle this large? Thanks
red ear slider
- Thread starter stingray94
- Start date
You should have really sorted this out before buying the animal, but at least your trying to sort it out. What do you mean use a basking spot that doesnt take up room ? :S It's going to but it must have one anyway LOL. Whatever bulb you use is going to take up space... or do you mean a rock or something similar for the actual turtle to lie on? You could use a completely dry end or a large rock/log but it must be completely dry. Hope this helps 
I did sort this out before buying the turtle, well I thought I did, I bought a turtle dock, the large one and I didn't know that it wouldn't support the weight of my turtle. By a basking spot that doesn't take up much room I mean like something above the tank that I've seen pictures of or something that floats and the turtle can go underneath it. I don't want to stack rocks because than the turtle can't go underneath it and it takes up a lot of room.
your turtle would honestly do better with a whole area to get out on but failing that get a mad shaped log that allows it to climb out and bask but also go under the log or something, use your imagination whilst picking it
how large is your tank? I suggest using a large plastic storage bin from walmart for large turtles...much cheaper and easier to deal with.
For a basking spot for mine, I always used a flat piece of slate rock on top of two bricks.
For a basking spot for mine, I always used a flat piece of slate rock on top of two bricks.
Maybe a strong, hollowed out log? I don't know. I use a flat rock (not slate, though) leaned against another rock so there's space behind the bottom rock. the space is a little tight for my turtle, but i suppose you could support it with two rocks, one on each end, like a table.