I'm a longtime turtle owner who decided to make my own premium basking platform for my shelled family members. I've made a few for friends in the community, and now I'm selling them online. This is a high quality, aquarium safe platform with bumpers to keep the tank from moving side to side and a support for the ramp to ensure bigger turtles won't break it.

I started with the basic PVC design - four legs, a platform and a ramp. You can find other people on Etsy selling this design. I wanted something that looked nicer than white PVC so I did a lot of research on aquarium safe options. I found a spray on coating that cures into rubber, which means that it's completely neutral and safe in aquariums. I have a pleco who enthusiastically rasps at the stand regularly and doesn't flake off any of the coating, and it's withstood all of the bumps from clumsy turtles swimming around!

Once I found the coating I wanted, I decided to improve the base design by adding cross beams on the side with bumpers to hold the platform in place. Given that it's a platform on stilts, a basic platform will have a tendency to move when larger turtles are mounting it. These bumpers eliminate that problem, keeping the platform centered and away from the sides of the tank.

Next, I wanted more support for the ramp so that it wouldn't break under the repeated stress of a larger turtle climbing it. An angled joint solved that problem nicely, giving it the support to the ramp so that it doesn't fold when a chonky turtle climbs on! Originally I made these with a slate tile on top for the actual basking area. I've changed course on this after a few of them have cracked in shipping. I realized that vinyl floor tiles make a fantastic basking area. They hold heat fairly well, are textured for turtles to grab on, and there are no sharp edges!

I'll be making these as the orders come in, because every turtle tank is different. Tell me the specifications of your tank (Depth x Width x Height) and tell me how far from the top you'd like your turtles to bask. You'll want to make sure they can't climb out!

I'll create your custom platform, allow time for it to cure and be aquarium ready, then safely and securely pack it for shipping and send it to you. It will be shipped with the top portion assembled securely and the legs ready to insert. An instruction sheet will be included as well as superglue if you decide to secure any of the joints. This isn't necessary unless your turtle is an especially rambunctious and large specimen! Finally, please send pics to me so I can see your new platform in action!

I look forward to working with you to make a new home for your shelled friends.