turtle knowledge needed?

Question

what do i need for an outside pond?i dont want my turtle to always be inside and i no thay do better outside.please help with some good ideas for my turtle ponds!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Keeping a RES outdoors offers a greater range of opportunities to create a more natural environment. It may be a more satisfying experience to observe your turtles as they would behave in the wild. Watching your RES with legs and neck stretched out basking in the sun would make the effort worthwhile. Expect the initial start-up costs to be greater than an indoor tank and this will require added effort and creativity. You will also have to commit a fairly reasonable amount of space to build this habitat. A complete functioning outdoor pond will require less maintenance overall and can house more adequate nesting and basking areas. Costly UV bulbs will be replaced by unfiltered sunlight and there should be greater areas for your RES to explore and swim around. Water filtration will still be an important facet of your turtle’s care and a water heater is recommended as well. Your RES should be in good health when introduced into a pond while hatchlings should be raised indoors until they are strong swimmers and adaptive hunters.

The materials used in the foundation of custom ponds vary. Outdoor ponds can be made from preformed shapes, pond liner, poured concrete and durable containers such as stock tanks. The amount of effort, expense and time will vary with each individual pond. Stock tanks and preformed ponds could also be partially in-ground or completely above ground. Since there will probably not be any future upgrades, a habitat that is 120 gallons may be suitable for one adult female and 200 gallons for 2 adult sliders. It is important never to overcrowd an environment because that would lead to aggression, harassment, injuries and increased waste load.
Note: Whether indoors or outdoors, or alone or not, mature females need access to a nesting area to lay eggs. Please read more detailed information in Basic Care > Nesting
Outdoor Pros and Cons

Here are some of the positive and negative aspects of having an outdoor habitat for your turtle.

Pros
Generally less expensive equipment required, however, startup costs may be significant
Takes up no space in a residence
Turtle in a more natural environment
Possibly less stressful for turtle
Less maintenance required
Opportunity to view or observe your turtle naturally
Cons
Takes up space in yard
Predators are a regular threat
Usually less interaction with your turtle
Less regulation of basking and water temperatures
May be more difficult finding an escaped turtle
May have to be brought in during extreme weather.


Where you live will play a role in how effective your pond will be. If you live in an area where there are native populations of wild sliders, then you should have little concern about weather conditions. If you live in areas where it is slightly warmer or cooler than a slider's preferred temperature range, you may still be able to have a successful pond provided there is enough shade, water heating and water depth. A submersible water heater is a necessity and inexpensive safe guard to prevent unexpected cold-water temperatures.

If you reside in an area that experiences cold winters, you should be prepared to bring the sliders inside during those times. It is extremely difficult and dangerous to hibernate RES in captivity and never recommended here under any circumstances. In addition, artificial ponds usually do not have the depth and materials that allow for successful hibernation. It is not recommended to attempt hibernation since RES function well without having to hibernate. And since your turtles may not be outdoors when winter arrives, you may want to take measures ensure that your pond, heaters or filters do not become damaged during this time.
Predator Proof / Escape Proof

Turtles have inquisitive personalities so expect them to roam around their provided area. Obviously, an outdoor pond would not be under constant supervision, which is why it would require the ability to prevent any escape and keep potential predators out. A low fence or brick wall is a good choice in making sure that your turtles will not be able to climb out or burrow under. Avoid any material on the ground and fencing that might get a RES caught or cause an injury. A screen covering will be beneficial in protecting your turtles from predators that are adept at climbing or flying. Smaller RES are especially vulnerable, and a basking one might easily get snatched. Ponds in wooded areas might require greater protection. Birds and dogs are potential predators while raccoons are aggressive ones.
Pondscaping

Live plants help oxygenate the water as well as help remove contaminants such as nitrates. They offer shade in the water and help decrease algae growth. Sliders may use the plants for hiding and nibble on them when in between meals. There are many varieties of aquatic plants (floating and submerged) and marginal plants that may be considered. Aquatic plants float freely on surface and some submerged plants may be partially rooted. Marginal plants are rooted in the substrate or in special containers underwater.

Aquatic plants that are safe to use and which may be eaten are Amazon Swords, Anacharis, Duckweed, Nasturtium, Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce and Water Lilies.
Additional Considerations

As with any tank, the larger the pond, the better it is. Pond designs offer more variety that brings wider lengths and depths compared to aquariums. Depending on the type of pond you are establishing, you may want to have the pond raised a few inches to prevent flooded materials from flowing into the pond. Stones can be used to help create a border for this area, allowing easier access into the pond and partially removing debris on the plastron. Custom made ponds can offer inclined bottoms that allow easier exits as well as access to shallow water.

While the basking area should receive a good deal of sunlight, other parts of the pond ought to have a permanent shade. Multiple basking areas can be made and different types should be considered. Smooth, flat rocks and logs may provide more natural areas for basking. Aquatic plants such as duckweed, water hyacinth and water lettuce can provide some additional cover and privacy. A lack of a waterfall or fountain might require an aerator to increase the oxygen levels in the water.

Answer 2

If its a large turtle, get a pond about the size of an average dining room table. Small turtle, just get a pond thats about 3/4 of that size. Make sure the turtle has lots of room to swim around in. Use underground water circulation and filteration systems. And I would suggest atleast 3 turtles. Take the turtles out from time-to-time and check their health. Clean the pond with special drops (you can buy them at a pet supermarket, petco, petsmart, etc.) every so often. Feed the turtles 1-3 times a day depending on the portion of food, and the size of the turtle.


Thats what I'd do. But I'm sure there is some other stuff. Be sure to ask someone at the pet store who specializes in reptiles, or research

Answer 3

You need to make it at least 3 feet deep to live in. Winter chill and ice require a pond to have leaves and mud in the bottom for the turtles to bury themselves in deep enough so that the water doesn't freeze solid. Provide a heater and filter. Otherwise place a schock of straw in the water with the top out so it can't freeze there and oxygen can get in. If you live in Calif. or Florida you don't have to worry, even Las Vegas gets freezing in winter. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Your turtle pond needs a mate for your turtle.

Answer 5

I also have a 50 gallon tank with 2 youthful person purple ear sliders and a million infant purple ear slider. the element approximately purple ear sliders which you would be able to desire to remember is how they stay in a organic habitat. purple ear sliders stay in ponds or creeks, or lakes the place they are underwater lots of the time, and that they sense extra guard to have the skill to submerge besides. the sole time sliders pop out of the water in nature is to bask out interior the solar and capture some rays. In end, i do no longer think of that's amazingly smart to in easy terms have a water dish on your turtle. you could relatively inspect filling up your tank a minimum of three/4 of how up and having some sort of floating rock or log (so you might purchase at any puppy save) so as that your turtle can bask below a warmth lamp. The basking spot on your turtle might desire to attain a minimum of ninety 3 tiers F. i do no longer propose to place you down or be impolite, yet while it bothers you to might desire to attain in water to snatch your turtle then in keeping with threat a turtle isn't the puppy for you. Turtles are fairly grimy pets and can start to reason very undesirable odors because of the fact their water isn't taken care of correct. in case you do no longer replace their water as frequently as you could it could start to create salmonella from their feces and your turtle might additionally run danger of having ill. desire this helps you out some! reliable success ;-)

Answer 6

Here's an excellent link at Austins that tells you what you need to know regarding ponds.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/pond.htm