Egg Crate Basking Dock - DIY - Cheap - Only One Tool Needed!

[@mrglock22-]

Another awesome project! You’re more help to us new turtle owners than you may realize. Thank you

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Great to hear! Thanks for saying that :)

[@WadeTheLion]

@@LongLiveYourTurtleI have an adult red ear slider. What two bulbs do you suggest?

[@MyWayHome92]

I love this! I've seen a few egg crate basking dock videos but this is the first with an acrylic window and a lamp stand attached - it looks so good!

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Thanks! I wanted to add some new features I hadn’t seen online before. Glad you like it. :)

[@milissaellan6805]

Nice!! Yeah my turtle would be out of that in a hot second 😅 he's a major escape artist. I had to bungie down the clear top of his turtle topper because he kept pushing it up! But I love this, egg crate is so fun to work with. If you have a tiny drill bit, you can put holes in the acrylic for zip ties-- I did the whole escape-proof lid with just acrylic zip tied to egg crate (because I always glue things to myself, so I try to avoid playing with adhesives) 🤣

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Oh yes, for those escapers it is easy to just add eggcrate over the top, cutout holes where the lights are located and it would be escape proof! And yes, as long as you are careful, drilling a hole would be a cleaner/more secure method. Thanks for the suggestion as always! :)

[@lisarepasky5056]

How do you keep the basking area clean? Mine gets buggy and dirty from the water.

[@mannaislam4316]

This is really helpful, thank you

[@HC-ur9no]

18:15 How can we know if the microbio would be toxic to the tank inhabitants? I'm making an egg crate dock for my red eared slider, would "Zilla terrarium carpet" be toxic to my turtle?

[@RanLuo]

Same question here

[@travisfowler8345]

Just a quick helpful tip from an aircraft mechanic that typically has to self engineer fixes... for the ramp I will be using a quik trip straw cut into inch or so sections on both ends of the dock and attaching some 1/4in dowel rod to the ramp itself to make a pivot like point... and adding some small pieces of Styrofoam so the ramp can adjust to the water depth... you can attach the Styrofoam at which ever point on the ramp to adjust how much goes under water... Also please know im only about 5/8ths through the video so haven't seen the finish product just listening to points being made about the finish build for the ramp...

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Those are some excellent ideas thanks! I tried to keep it simple but I really like the foam idea. Thanks for the comment!

[@christinapabers6040]

That's so interesting. Can you send us a picture or can you post it on another social media? I'd love to see the alterations.

[@marisolko6142]

Thank you! I’ve been looking for a cheap diy idea! I had no idea there were something called egg crates. It’s a design i was exactly looking for.

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stephaniev8885]

@@LongLiveYourTurtle can the turtles climb out of it?

[@stephaniev8885]

@@LongLiveYourTurtle what bulbs do you use for the heat lamps?

[@ChrisMichaelFilms]

Thanks for the tips!!!!!!!! I love that plastic side you did. Beautiful!!!!!!! I think I would want to cover the top. My turtle Isa climber. I’ve seen him climb and it’s impressive haha

[@wolfshanze5980]

You overlapped the sides of your basking area, but I'm surprised you didn't overlap the back of your basking area... you could do that to prevent it from sliding forward into the tank.

[@KongLeeD]

Very nice. I did something similar except hanging the ramp outside of the basking wall to give more room for two turtles. Thanks for sharing. Appreciated that!

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Thank you!

[@a.watson2439]

Hello! What were your exact measurements (after cutting to size) for walls and floor? Thx!!🐢

[@lize5755]

My turtle won't go up and seems to be having a hard time.. also how do I ensure it doesn't slide off?

[@jenniferkowach2359]

Thank you for this video! Our turtle had out grown the platforms we bought and I couldn’t find anything affordable for a turtle his size. Thanks to your instructions I was able to build him a perfect new platform and he seems to love it.

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Glad I could help! :)

[@edoliva3264]

Is there a reason why the ramp is in the middle of the basking area. It seems to me like the 2 sides are too narrow for an adult turtle to walk around comfortably. Why not just build the ramp off to one of the sides, leaving more room to navigate on the opposite end?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Since this was for a 40 gallon tank I made it large enough for a turtle I’d house in it. You can size the ramp however you want! Just keep in mind this is thin plastic with little structural stability. If you make the ramp larger your side legs will be thinner and they were already a little flimsy. So just check that everything can hold as you go! Thanks for the comment!

[@JasonSmith-qx3zh]

Question how long should you leave those lights on for the turtle!

[@Ness-oc2hw]

You are brilliant! Thankyou for this clear instruction of how to build a turtle basking dock! I’m Going to the hardware store now, thanks again!!!

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck!

[@SusieQtvang]

Thanks I can't wait to make my own basking deck!! Excited and my turtles will love me!

[@thabridge7092]

Thank you so much for this!!! It’s been crazy trying to find something practical and so economical. 🎉🎉🎉

[@sngs9565]

You deserve more subs! Truly for help for beginners! Thank you very much, LLYT!

[@tamraberry4165]

I made the crate for my nine month old slider, but I can’t get her to go up the ramp. I’ve tried to put some dried shrimp on it. She does get to and eat it. I’ve even put some at the top of the ramp I’ve even put her in the ramp under the light but I just finished it last night so maybe take time but it needs suggestions. I would appreciate feedback.

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

As long as the basker is similar and ramp isn’t crazy steep then your turtle just needs to get comfortable with it, sometimes it can take up to two weeks!

[@LisaSpangenberg]

Looks great but I have a ninja turtle who would totally climb out of that. I used a clear plastic storage container for the dock zip tied to egg crate as a base. I glued small rock tiles to the bottom and she stays in because she can’t climb the plastic. Also used egg crate for the ramp. I also cut my egg crate to fit inside the lip of the aquarium rim and that way it doesn’t slide around.

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Yes this design had no cover. Glad you came up with some additional mods to make it even better! So cool!

[@jeremyboucher200]

Two years later; anything you would have or have changed on this design?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

While I have moved on from this one, I think just getting a larger vinyl tile or using carpet over the entire top would have been ideal. The little sample pieces eventually come loose.

[@robertnemec7849]

Just finished this build. Great tutorial. Only thing I’m worried about is my RES is missing his front right leg and I’m hopeful he can climb the ramp. Love your channel man.

[@anitaramireznegron9289]

Can your turtle climb the ramp okay?

[@milkncerial]

I made one of these for my turtles but they haven't shown an interest in wanting to go above the tank to bask yet. Do you have any tips or suggestions on what I can do to make them feel more comfortable wanting to bask on this dock?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Just give them some time, and maybe space! It’s a journey that will take some courage especially if this is their first above tank basker !

[@syafrilfauzi6305]

Great video, i have a question though, i want the basking spot to be hanging slightly below in the aquarium, it is durable enough if i put some hanging tools in the egg crate?

[@anitaramireznegron9289]

Mine hangs about 5 inches into the aquarium. I use large S hooks, with a large curve that hooks on to the aquarium edge, and a small curve that hooks onto the egg crate. 5 on each side. I use a large piece of grass carpet to cover the part of the hook that you can see inside the basking area.

[@UtukushiDAE2007]

Thanks for tbis great idea. Ill try to make one for my 4 mini Ts

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Nice! Good luck :)

[@GCProjects]

The basking dock looks so tidy and beautiful ❤

[@roaan01]

they can climb out of this kind of enclosure as long as the get a good footing area, which the grid provides

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Certain turtles (acrobatic ones) could. Especially larger ones. But you can easily use leftover egg crate to create a cover if you need it, just cutout a hole where the lamp will be as the egg crate can melt. Thanks!

[@roaan01]

@@LongLiveYourTurtle I have 2 female res both aprox 2 years old, crafty climbers. even with the lid they still try to climb out and try extra hard which some times leads to them landing on their back. my suggestion, white sun board that blocks all the out side view and reflects heat back to turtles when they are basking. Let me know what you think. Cheers!!

[@braysmom091]

Love this build!! I've been trying to figure out how to incorporate a nice sized basking area for my 110 gallon pound tank. Any suggestions?

[@christinapabers6040]

Thank you for this design. You are really good at thoroughly describing things and I appreciate that.

[@kristinalombardi2800]

Thank you for this thorough tutorial! I feel confident I can actually do this for m turtles!

[@garya274]

Great vid. Very thorough. What do you do for light underneath the basking area? Thanks!

[@nestergomez3269]

And chance you can provide me a link to your dome light and stand. I use a 100W MV bulb.

[@Beto71333]

Wouldn’t the turtles climb out?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Maybe! Depends on the turtle. a cover using the techniques in the video can easily be made. Just be sure to cut out an area right under the basking bulb so the plastic does not melt!

[@WONDERFULREPTILES]

very nice good job

[@kiciacoldspring1621]

Awesome. My weekend project now! Thanks.

[@LuisVillanueva45]

Pretty cool!! You should make them and sell them

[@LuckeyClover]

He'll yeah, I think ima go for some cheaper white egg crate, but I'm planning on lining the outsides of the crate with bamboo, and have 3 sides with windows, I'll get some fake vines and we've em through the crate to give it a more jungle forest vibe and maybe have fake grass floring and have some stone to a platform so they can go a bit higher towards the light if they desire to, just to give the crate a bit more dimension, I don't want it to look like a box ontop of my tank lol😂

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Sounds awesome!

[@raidenarmstrong1642]

Hello sir can I elongate its Width?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

You could but I wouldn’t go much further unless you add some support or add a second layer off egg crate as it is not very strong or stiff.

[@raidenarmstrong1642]

@@LongLiveYourTurtle my tank width is about 60 cm but online in my country only 30x15x0.8 cm pieces of egg crates are available

[@Sara-wb8zb]

So small so real so beautiful 🤣🤍🤍

[@allisonburick2215]

I recently made one of these for my turtle... how long do you think is reasonable for my 3yr old turtle to figure out how to climb up and out?

[@anitaramireznegron9289]

You can use egg crate edges around the top about 4 holes wide. If your turtle does happen to climb, it will be stopped by that edge. I have that around mine because she's a climber.

[@m.d.bishop1244]

Prices have gone crazy I have all this in my cart from Amazon minus the glue and glass and it totals $145 before tax. The egg crate alone is $70 for a pack of 2. This include lamp $22 and bulb $27. But buy once cry once.

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Right? Even DIY is expensive! Check out this video on a semi DIY that actually might be a little cheaper! Thrive Elevated Basking Loft Full Setup and Review! - THIS IS IT! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p16vaWaZqb2Ze5I

[@AA-Ashley]

Thank you for this tutorial!

[@wendybutterworth7541]

I have a 12 inch red ear slider. I have a basking inside the tank, but making one one top. I use a sidewalk (water resistant tile) as the base. Do I need to double up the egg crates to be stronger or should it support her. I currently am not using reptile carpet for the ramp just egg crates? Is that a no no?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

You may need to add some support under the basking platform as that’s a large turtle. For the ramp it all depends on whether your turtle can climb just egg crate. Might be trial and error for a larger turtle like that, good luck!

[@sarafike288]

This is amazing! I have been struggling to find a ramp that helps my big turtle. She weighs a good like 8ish pounds. She always weighs the ramp down and has trouble getting up. Thank you so much! I have a double dome too!

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Long live your turtle!

[@rodgerward2327]

how long does that reptile carpet last? I would imagine that it would get moldy/algea if it was always submerged since it meant to be absorbant? or has it been fine? would you recommend any other materials too like the coconut fiber reptile carpets too?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Mine lasted a long time (over a year) before it started getting gross. You can always dry it out once in a while to help slow the process. With this design it is easy to replace too. Thanks for the comment!

[@BlackBarbie228]

I have a 21 year old female red eared slider and my dad took care of her all of her life. I’m new to reptile care and I know she isn’t in the proper environment. What is the best basking area that won’t rust ? I saw a lot of comments about the thrive elevated basking area saying after a few months it rusts bad

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Hmmm, that is tough! The only other commercial product is the Penn Plax Turtle Topper. I have a review in my channel, check it out! Good luck!

[@marie22213]

Great demo.! Gave me alot of ideas 💡

[@chingpongionglong]

This is amazing! Simple yet elegant, bravo! One question tho, how much weight do you reckon the bottom crate will hold? I’d love to modify it so it can contain a lil bit of smooth rocks and riversand.

[@anitaramireznegron9289]

I built one, not as elegant as this one, and put a double bottom because my shellster weights nearly 3 lbs. That will give you support.

[@chingpongionglong]

@@anitaramireznegron9289 wow, 3lbs?! Mine’s ”only” about 1lbs 🤗 I’ll keep that in mind. Tnx!

[@A.TAYLOR]

I was looking for a video to make my own! Thank you so much! 🖤🐢

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Glad I could help!

[@mastro8686]

I am going to make this and have a question. Why did you not put it in the groves where the light would go? Is the outside better?

[@frostyham]

I'm guessing you wouldn't because you can't guarantee those plastic grooves will hold the variable weight of your basking area, though in most cases I bet they probably would. Just speculation, obviously I'm not the guy that made the video.

[@Kamoopsipooh1990]

I have a larger female in a "hospital bin" right now. Will this hold???

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

It should! If not just used two layers of eggcrate and attach them with small zip ties. Good luck!

[@cometkatt]

instead of floor tile could you use the fake grass like you did in the other video?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Yes you could but be careful as your turtle might try to bite at the grass and tear it up. I would test that first!

[@BlackBarbie228]

Also, can you show you attach this egg crate to the larger tank like the 75 gallon?

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Hi, maybe a good video for the future! Noted! 75 Gallon has similar dims, only slightly wider, so this should still work!

[@carmenzarojas-reese7729]

you are very creative, it is an excellent idea and looks very beautiful.

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Thank you so much 😊

[@GALINCOM]

How do you keep the ramp clean of Algae etc

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Never have too much of an issue and if it is it doesn’t look half bad so I just leave it. Light is what grows it so minimize light and it should disappear!

[@rosemarydavis9347]

Love this idea. Saves a lot of money.

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

👍

[@erinbianco2905]

Is zoomed brand ok for the carpet

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Probably, just make sure it doesn’t have additives!

[@lavernseegert2719]

That Looks great

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Thanks!

[@HITMANPegas]

$60 - $ 70 is not cheap. I saw one on Etsy for $22 and I don't have to travel or waste my time building it myself. Still, it's a good video. How did you install that window? Did I miss that?

[@sherivm]

I love my egg crate basking area. Your build definitely pointed out some modifications that I will be adding to mine😁 Tip: I have a top on mine with a cut out hole for me to easily access inside the area should I need to… my RES (Mr. Greenie) climbed the sides of the egg crate and fell out😲 luckily he survived, he’s also full grown but it could have ended pretty bad. I have a tile covering the hole now but I said all that to say that having an open top with the easily climbable sides might not be the best option🤔 but still great build !!!!

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Great tip! Yes, incorporate a cover of your turtle can escape for sure. This build can easily accommodate an egg crate lid using a similar method that the build used. But yes, a hole is good for optimal light penetration and minima risk of melting the plastic. Thanks for the advice! Glad you found some mods from the video.

[@DTPxWildcat]

bro what it doesnt fit inside the lip? why wouldnt you want it to set in?