Penn-Plax Turtle Topper Above Tank Basking Platform, 14-in

$49.99 (-48%) Chewy Price
$96.99 List Price
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About This Item

Details

  • Provides a unique spot for turtles to bask on top of their tank
  • Because the Turtle Topper sits on top, you can fill the tank completely so your turtle can enjoy swimming throughout the entire tank
  • Made to support the weight of multiple or larger turtles without sinking, which helps keep them dry as they bask
  • Two mounting rims are included to attach clamp lamps for optimal basking
  • Fits most tanks up to 55 gallons

Instructions

Size

FAQ

Learn More About Penn-Plax From Our Team of Experts

Questions & Answers

32 Customer Questions


Will this fit on a 55 gallon long aquarium

Answer by AnnetteFeb 16, 2026
No 👎 I have a 55 gallon and brought this and it's way to short.

Anyone have this ? How do you keep your tank covered as well as having this ?

Answer by ChewyDec 14, 2017
From customer reviews a lot of customers leave the other side open, the turtle won't be able to jump out unless there are other items closed to the sides for leverage.

What heat lamp and bulb is recommended for this?

Answer by ChewyMar 05, 2018
The Turtle Topper is designed to be used with two (2) 5.5" clamp lamp fixtures (not included). A good general guideline is to use a 75 watt basking/heat bulb in one (1) fixture and a 5.0 compact UVB bulb in the other fixture. Always research the specific requirements of your turtle.

Is there any way I can make it easier for my turtle to get onto the platform? I have a 1 year old yellow bellied slider and he’s tried to get onto the platform multiple times but it seems to be too steep for him.

Answer by ChewyJun 14, 2018
Based off reviews from other customers, they have tried turtle safe grip and shelf liners on the ramp and it made a huge difference.

4.2
Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars
223 Ratings

191 Customer Reviews



Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Closetsamples on Aug 11, 2018
Top 50 Contributor

Bella seems to enjoy it

Setting up the Penn-Plax Turtle Topper Above Tank Basking Platform is super easy. It comes with instructions that are rather easy to follow, however, it is pretty

Setting up the Penn-Plax Turtle Topper Above Tank Basking Platform is super easy. It comes with instructions that are rather easy to follow, however, it is pretty self-explanatory. One thing I didn't pay attention to, though, is the size. I forgot the size tank we have (which is larger than the standard turtle tank since we had found a great deal on it). So when this came in, we had to make some modifications to be able to use it on our tank. My husband ended up making a make-shift support for our platform to sit on for the turtle. once he did that, the topper was ready for Bella to use. As other customers have said, the tank does need to be rather full for the platform to actually be used. Luckily, Bella seems to enjoy having a full tank of water rather than having less water as she enjoys swimming around in. Ever since we added a small tank heating pad, she has been a lot more active so a full tank is great for her. She didn't get on her platform immediately, as she was swimming around. However, after a while, when she was ready to rest, she made her way to check it out. Getting up the ramp didn't seem to be an issue for her and the platform has plenty of room for her to stretch out and relax (if that's what turtles do). While I do think the platform could be a bit more sturdy, it is overall well made and something our turtle seems to like. Plus, it looks pretty cool on top the tank. Definitely recommended for all the turtles for sure!

By Closetsamples on Aug 11, 2018
Top 50 Contributor

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Kristina on May 2, 2025

75 gallon tank

I have a 75 gallon rectangular tank, the topper fits great! My red eared slider is 5 years old, and about a 11 inches long completely stretched out from tip of

I have a 75 gallon rectangular tank, the topper fits great! My red eared slider is 5 years old, and about a 11 inches long completely stretched out from tip of his nose to the tip of his beautiful claws. this fits him comfortably, but I don’t know if 2 of him would fit at the same time. Might be a little cramped.

By Kristina on May 2, 2025

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Tavian on Jun 13, 2018

Overall Amazing

I have a 20 gallon tank with one female adult RES (about 5 inches) and installment of the basking top was really easy. It only took her about 2 hours before she

I have a 20 gallon tank with one female adult RES (about 5 inches) and installment of the basking top was really easy. It only took her about 2 hours before she tried climbing on. Except I saw that I had to fill the tank to the "maximum water level" indicator on the ramp, because any less she wasn't able to climb on. I didn't expect the tank having to be so full but regardless of that she gets on fairly easy and has plenty of room to bask. It does get very noisy when they climb in and out fyi I didn't expect that either which I should have, but still a great product.

By Tavian on Jun 13, 2018

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Rachel on Feb 22, 2018
Top 500 Contributor

Exactly what I was looking for

We rescued two older water turtles who had never been given a swimming area even though they should have been living in water, so I wanted to make sure they had

We rescued two older water turtles who had never been given a swimming area even though they should have been living in water, so I wanted to make sure they had a larger land area available if they needed or wanted it. I really like how this one is built and how it fits on my 55 gallon, leaving just enough space for a 20 gallon lid to cover the open area. I also didn't realize it had an underwater platform, and the turtles are always using that. I don't know if they've found their way into the upper platform yet given we have only had it a couple of weeks, but I am sure they will given time. The price on this was fantastic, I am very happy with it!

By Rachel on Feb 22, 2018
Top 500 Contributor

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Leotmnt on Jun 8, 2017

Turtle Topper is perfect!

I couldn't be happier with the Turtle Topper. My girlfriend and I have a midland painted turtle in a 55 gallon tank and wanted more swim room since she is near full

I couldn't be happier with the Turtle Topper. My girlfriend and I have a midland painted turtle in a 55 gallon tank and wanted more swim room since she is near full grown. The Turtle Topper solved all our problems! It fits perfectly on a 55 gallon tank. It's top is great for mounting clamp lamps. The underwater resting dock is our turtles favorite part. The ramp was tricky for our turtle to figure out but after two days she can get up there whenever she wants. The ramp also allows her to use it as a slide and dive into the water. She has fun with it. Overall, great product and a must for owning an aquatic turtle!

By Leotmnt on Jun 8, 2017

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Frankie on May 22, 2020

I was skeptical

I received my topper and wasn’t sure it was going to be worth the purchase. The unit itself is very slick plastic, so I was concerned about how easily my 20 year

I received my topper and wasn’t sure it was going to be worth the purchase. The unit itself is very slick plastic, so I was concerned about how easily my 20 year old red slider would be able to climb up the ramp. It says it fits “up to” a 55 gallon tank. While it does fit the 55 gallon I have, I was worried the ramp wouldn’t be submerged enough. Well, Frankie proved me wrong all across the board. He climbs up that ramp like a champ and he loves basking in it! We always see his little head popped up over the side watching us.

By Frankie on May 22, 2020

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By manbearpig6232 on Apr 18, 2020

above tank basking platform

This item arrived perfectly and easy to set up. I knew I was going to need to modify the ramp as my turtles couldn’t quite go up the ramp I used repti-carpet and

This item arrived perfectly and easy to set up. I knew I was going to need to modify the ramp as my turtles couldn’t quite go up the ramp I used repti-carpet and poked some holes into the ramp and zip tied it and now it’s perfect. Also I knew it wouldn’t fit on my 40 gallon breeder tank but a DIY custom egg crate lid holds it just fine and it looks and works great only 4 stars because the ramp is very steep and not easy to climb up for turtles

By manbearpig6232 on Apr 18, 2020

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By CocoandCrush on Sep 15, 2019

MyTurtles!

Awesome construction made of a plyable molded rubber, I purchased the black one; easy assembly together in less then 5 min. Turtles COCO & CRUSH took to it in less

Awesome construction made of a plyable molded rubber, I purchased the black one; easy assembly together in less then 5 min. Turtles COCO & CRUSH took to it in less then a day!! There living it. My female, COCO, has an 8 in shell and Crush he’s my lil guy, a 4” shell fit together nicely ( he’s in love with her, lol) anyways DEFINITELY RECOMMEND for anyone looking for a nice “ condo” for your turtles. Oh did I mention THEY LIVE IT?? Haha. Be blessed and turtle on!!

By CocoandCrush on Sep 15, 2019

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Kristi on Feb 21, 2018

AWESOME, I Would Absolutely Recommend!

I have two turtles and I was nervous to buy this at first thinking that it wasn't going to fit my tank. I have a 20 gallon tank and this above tank dock fits perfectly!

I have two turtles and I was nervous to buy this at first thinking that it wasn't going to fit my tank. I have a 20 gallon tank and this above tank dock fits perfectly! My turtles love it. It allows you to fill the tank all the way up so the turtles have more room to swim. Before this I just had a floating dock and one of my turtles would way it down a lot so this work perfectly keeping him out of the water while he basks. I would highly recommend this for any turtle owner.

By Kristi on Feb 21, 2018

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Poison on Aug 17, 2020

Poison in the Penthouse

Best Topper Ever. So. we named our Slider Turtle "Poison" to caution visitors from trying to pick him up. We placed a sign on the tank that read, "Don't touch,

Best Topper Ever. So. we named our Slider Turtle "Poison" to caution visitors from trying to pick him up. We placed a sign on the tank that read, "Don't touch, Poison! ". (Thus his name.) He soon outgrew the 30 gallon tank so we relocated him to a 55 gallon tank. Wanting to give him more space to explore we purchased this Turtle Tower. It took a few days for him to feel safe enough to climb in. We placed a rubber carpet on platform for him to grab better. So so happy we purchased. Tanks!

By Poison on Aug 17, 2020