Basking spot
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 10:39 pmYour red eared slider turtle needs a place that he can haul out of the water and completely dry off under his basking light. Drying off (basking) prevents shell rot and raises the turtle's body temperature, allowing him to properly digest food and efficiently metabolize the vitamins in his diet. UVB rays (mentioned in the post on Lighting) let your turtle make use of the calcium and vitamin D3 in his diet.
Commercial basking platforms like these can be used
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441806023&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030170&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1113273454657
or, if you're a little more creative than I am, you can make your own out of a milk crate, vinyl tile or corkbark. Just make sure any materials you use are non toxic.
Commercial basking platforms like these can be used
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441806023&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030170&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1113273454657
or, if you're a little more creative than I am, you can make your own out of a milk crate, vinyl tile or corkbark. Just make sure any materials you use are non toxic.