All Turtles Message Board

hoover05 · Level 3 Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 137

Hi, I have one RES and I was thinking about making a pond for it this spring/summer. I know the weather has to be right.
I have a problem though... See, my 'yard' is all concrete stuff or similar stuff... I don't have any dirt!
I was wondering if anybody has any ideas as how I could make a "floating" pond since I can't dig a hole?
I was thinking of something such as a rubbermaid but she would also have to get out of it to bask. Any tips/ideas?

I'm just thinking for the future, thats all Smile

Thanks!

-Hoover

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1197

I have seen some very cute ponds made from the kids plastic swimming pools. I had one at one time. Here is what I did Just make your basking area right in the middle and use a wide board across one side to create shade for part of the day. I also floated a piece of 1x6 so the shade would be there even as the sun moved. I covered the top with chicken wired so the neighbor cats couldn't get to my babies but I had a tent type pole comming from the basking area. We designed it outside the pond (so you aren't trying to stand in the pond)and used fish epoxy to keep it together so it couldn't fall on the babies. It was made with a base of bricks. (those weren't epoxied or it would have been to heavy when you need to take it out to clean it) They formed a square with a small opening for a thick dowel to fit inside. I got the dowel at the hardware store. Then on the bricks I placed smooth topped river stones so the turtles shells wouldn't be harmed, these I epoxied together around the pole. I needed the pole to give height to the chicken wire so the turtles could bask and not get stuck in the wire. The wire also keeps them from escaping the pond.

Anyway this is how I did it. There is a picture of another setup that is a little different I'll see if I can find it for you. And maybe someone else can share some ideas too.
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deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1197

Here
http://www.allturtles.com/msgboard/viewtopic.php?p=38165#38165
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hoover05 · Level 3 Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 137

Thanks Deesygirl!
That gave me a few different ideas. My yard isn't very wide though, and a kiddy pool might be a tight squeeze (I live in the city Sad

) However, my yard does get PLENTY of sun so I wouldn't have to worry about that. But shading and stuff like that I would.
This is what I'm thinking... please let me know what you all think! Smile

I could probably get a kiddy pool from my grandma because she had one for my younger cousins and then they got a little too big for it and they got a bigger pool.
Anyway, I could probably place this by the corner of my yard. Near one end is a cement wall. I could leave a couple feet of space inbetween for a nice basking area. I could get bricks or something similar to build up the basking area so it is near even with the kiddy pool and cover them with a small layer of dirt so it doesn't get really super duper hot.
Then, around the outside of the bricks and the rest of the pond, I could probably place wood around it so she can't get out.
Oh and around the basking area, the one side would be against the cement wall so she couldn't get out that way. Then, I could place more boards and such so she wouldn't fall and hurt herself.

Does that sound OK?

Oh, by the way... I do not really have to worry about predators since I live in the city. I do have a lot of neighbors but no cats or anything except for down the street more. I may put some wiring overtop just incase though. Also, for shade, I could probably place a board overtop of the one section of the kiddy pool.

What kind of filters could I get for the kiddy pool or an outdoor pond? I do not think my current one would work as it has trouble keeping up with my turtle in a 10 gallon tank. Laughing

(I know, I'm working on getting her a bigger tank... believe me!)

If you have any other ideas, please share them as I'm not sure yet what I am going to do. lol.

Thanks!

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1197

Oh dang it I forgot to tell you about filters. Ok first thing ge tsome bio balls to help keep the bacteria in balance. I get a big bag for about $16 and they have lasted for the last 4 years. I keep them in all summer and dont wash until I take it apart in the fall. Keeps the pool at a perfect balance. As for a filter I use a pond one. They are cheaper than a fluval type and they are made for the waether so they can safely set outside. I got super lucky on my kiddy pond and found a small swimming pool type one. Ya know the canister type ones for the small doughboy type pools. So I put the intake inside the brick area, Deep inside so the suction couldn't hurt the turtles. Then I got it primed with a bit of diatomatious earth and away we go, easy as pie. I had found this at one of those discount stores for $5. It was great. I still have it and I use it as a back up or as a pump when I want to drain out my big pond fast. So keep your eyes out you never know what you will find. I also hit the garden centers in the fall. Kindda late now but keep that in your memory banks for next year.

OK back to your idea. You need to remember that turtles can dig and climb. They have been known to climb chain link and dig out from under fences so what ever you do you need to make sure the area is secure. I would also worry about the turtle dragging the dirt into the water. I tried something like that and it was real messy. That is why I went with a middle basking area, well the mess and the dang cats. I really hate cats. Cats and turtles do not mix. Ok back on topic here. In town you still have to worry about the birds. When I lived in Sacramento and we had Hawks and Owls. But most of the time you never see them. Also if your turtle is smaller even the crows, sea gulls and the magpies will try to take off with them. They just pick them up and then drop them to break open their shells. They are smart critters. So a cover is definatly in order. Oh and make sure the pool is still in good shape. Sometimes they break down after time. I was getting about two years out of mine. And make sure it is the hard plastic type. The ones with the soft bottoms the turtles can dig their claw through and tear. Then you end up with all these little slow leaks. Ask me how I know. Rolling Eyes

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