Opinions on this basking platform?

[Whyitsdonut]

So I'm getting a juvenile leatherback tomorrow and he's going to start in a 20 long tank until he is bigger.

I found a sweet deal on a 5'x2'x2' Viv and I jumped on it. My only question is the previous owner built a basking platform in it that seems pretty high up to me. It sits about 14 inches off the bottom and about 10 inches from the top. Is this safe or should I cut it out and build him a lower one?

The last owner used rocks to let him get onto the ledge in the back and used rocks to he could make it from the ledge to the platform. If I keep it I'm going to build a staircase for him to get up there which I feel would be safer. Let me know your thoughts!

Pic: https://imgur.com/a/yfZXz4Z

 

[KarrieRee]

First off how long has this tank been sitting- you would want to sterilize it w/ some F10 to kill whatever is left in there for parasites bugs etc.......... I dont know what was housed in there before-- I am assuming another bearded dragon -- also what watt of bulb was used for basking - you can always put the correct wattage in there like 75 100 etc but you need to take the actual basking spot temp w/ a Infrared heat gun - you can get those from Walmart Home Depot Lowes etc............ do you have your lighting for this tank? But before you put him in there you want to clean it good--- this is the type of lighting you should have a Reptisun 10 T5, or the Arcadia D3 12% or 14% T5 tube, both of which are very good. You will need a T5 light fixture also. you can find those on http://www.lightyourreptiles.com -- the staircase you mentioned would be good to get to basking spot - so you can always play w/ bulb wattage like I mentioned before---please ask if you have more questions thank you
Karrie

 

[Whyitsdonut]

First off how long has this tank been sitting- you would want to sterilize it w/ some F10 to kill whatever is left in there for parasites bugs etc.......... I dont know what was housed in there before-- I am assuming another bearded dragon -- also what watt of bulb was used for basking - you can always put the correct wattage in there like 75 100 etc but you need to take the actual basking spot temp w/ a Infrared heat gun - you can get those from Walmart Home Depot Lowes etc............ do you have your lighting for this tank? But before you put him in there you want to clean it good--- this is the type of lighting you should have a Reptisun 10 T5, or the Arcadia D3 12% or 14% T5 tube, both of which are very good. You will need a T5 light fixture also. you can find those on http://www.lightyourreptiles.com -- the staircase you mentioned would be good to get to basking spot - so you can always play w/ bulb wattage like I mentioned before---please ask if you have more questions thank you
Karrie

OH yeah it's going to be a few months before he goes in here. It's going to be properly sterilized very thoroughly before that. I do already have the correct lighting for it just wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be too high for him

 

[Gormagon]

With a platform that high, make sure there is something below softy enough to keep him from hurting himself if he decides to jump, "they are daredevils". They make a nice bonzia tree that would be a great addition to help with this.
Something like this
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/14139181788663625285?lsf=seller:8064,store:13793109822592794043&prds=oid:1060241605407475483&q=terrarium+decor+large+bonzia&hl=en&ei=wLqFXJHFN-GcjwSYzbjwAw&lsft=utm_source:google,utm_term:5131664,utm_medium:cpc,utm_content:*CATCH+ALL,utm_campaign:*GSC+-+Low+-+CATCH+ALL&utm_medium=cpc&lsft=gclid:EAIaIQobChMI-bWN5_j44AIV2rbACh3Zbwb_EAQYAyABEgKrMPD_BwE

 

[KarrieRee]

I've seen that at PetSmart
Karrie

 

[Gormagon]

I've seen that at PetSmart
Karrie

Peaches loved hers, she even slept in it, I miss her funny antics, LOL!!!

 

[Whyitsdonut]

With a platform that high, make sure there is something below softy enough to keep him from hurting himself if he decides to jump, "they are daredevils". They make a nice bonzia tree that would be a great addition to help with this.
Something like this
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/14139181788663625285?lsf=seller:8064,store:13793109822592794043&prds=oid:1060241605407475483&q=terrarium+decor+large+bonzia&hl=en&ei=wLqFXJHFN-GcjwSYzbjwAw&lsft=utm_source:google,utm_term:5131664,utm_medium:cpc,utm_content:*CATCH+ALL,utm_campaign:*GSC+-+Low+-+CATCH+ALL&utm_medium=cpc&lsft=gclid:EAIaIQobChMI-bWN5_j44AIV2rbACh3Zbwb_EAQYAyABEgKrMPD_BwE

Awesome I'll check that out! I'd like to keep the platform if possible.