Habitat - Outdoor :: filtration questions...

[theartbook35]

It's going to be a while before I move Hurricane and Typhoon to an outdoor pond. Like, a few years (Or until they reach about six inches). Still, I have this big project planned, that I want to save money for. I'd like to know what I'll need so I can figure out how much I should save before they get so big that I have to buy a new tank again.

I've heard about pond filters, and adding plants like peat and anacharis to help keep the water clean, algae and bug free.

What is the most effective way to keep a pond clean?

I'd love to have some sort of circulatory water system, since in rivers and even ponds water never really stays in one place for too long, or changes from time to time. Unfortunately, I don't know how to build that, or build it in a way that it will be aesthetically pleasing and not take up tons of space.

(By the way, these girlies are going to be class pets for an art program I am starting years down the road. I need room for the playground and the backyard pond).

[callmepotato83]

A waterfall with pump is the best way to increase water flow & filtration. The basin for the waterfall is the perfect location for multiple types of filtration (especially mechanical...you can make a skippy type filter). Size is going to be a big factor in how much it costs. The bigger, the better, typically...larger ponds are more self-sustaining, but cost more on the initial setup.

[theartbook35]

A waterfall with pump is the best way to increase water flow & filtration. The basin for the waterfall is the perfect location for multiple types of filtration (especially mechanical...you can make a skippy type filter). Size is going to be a big factor in how much it costs. The bigger, the better, typically...larger ponds are more self-sustaining, but cost more on the initial setup.

Hmm... That sounds like fun. I'm going to keep that in mind, thanks.

[callmepotato83]

Not a problem. If you are a handy/crafty person, you can make a lot of the basic stuff for the pond yourself. No need to buy a prefab one; a little digging and a liner and you can customize it however you want. You can even make an above-ground one if you use brick or heavy duty lumber. Basics for pond construction are going to be a pump, liner, and stone. The stone, for me, was the most costly thing. I am lucky I know a guy...he gave it to me for about 8 cents a pound with about 2000 lbs going into my pond (which is about 500 gallons).

[theartbook35]

Not a problem. If you are a handy/crafty person, you can make a lot of the basic stuff for the pond yourself. No need to buy a prefab one; a little digging and a liner and you can customize it however you want. You can even make an above-ground one if you use brick or heavy duty lumber. Basics for pond construction are going to be a pump, liner, and stone. The stone, for me, was the most costly thing. I am lucky I know a guy...he gave it to me for about 8 cents a pound with about 2000 lbs going into my pond (which is about 500 gallons).

I'm a chick who loves to build stuff. I was hoping on getting one of those peanut shaped plastic tubs from lllreptile, then covering the inside with a tarp, maybe holding the tarp down with rocks. I'll probably make a short fence, my turtles are excellent climbers. I wanna leave one rockless space for the waterfall, and another for a grass basking spot, with some kind of mini-tree they can't climb up for shade. (They both love to climb and hide inside plants. If they can climb, they will try it.) What else can you think of?

You got any pictures of this pond? I'd love to see.

[callmepotato83]

An important thing to consider with a pond is that once it is done, it is VERY hard to undo...so plan for the future. Those tubs, from what I have noticed, are definitely not deep enough for turtles, especially during winter. Given that yours are young, they will also need depth to hide from predators. Personally, for such little ones and being so far north, I would recommend going at least 3 feet deep with your pond. If either of them are females, they will probably need a nice sandy area to lay eggs as well around age 5-6. (Mine just layed her first clutch, even though she isn't housed with any other turtles).

As far as creating what you want, it is a good idea to plan it out and get ideas....if you google backyard ponds, you will find a ton of variety and you can get some great ideas.



The pond is almost done...need to install some fencing to prevent turtle escapes.

[theartbook35]

My babies in a pond now? Oh hell no. I think I mentioned I didn't want them in a pond until they were about six inches or more.

I might just dig a big hole, forget the plastic pond, and them do the tarp thing. I am definitely going to add duckweed, and maybe some artificial lilies, for cover. My girls seem to enjoy hiding under floating plants.

I like the stones you picked, very pretty.

I forgot it was you who had the frogs and toads, how's that working out?

[callmepotato83]

Oh yeah, you have plenty of time before you put them out there. I would still recommend going deep with your pond. Liners are pretty inexpensive if you look around; the one I am using cost me about 65 bucks.

I'm glad you like it...it has been a lot of work. And yeah, I've had some toads coming over, but they seem to have gone away all of a sudden...

[theartbook35]

Oh yeah, you have plenty of time before you put them out there. I would still recommend going deep with your pond. Liners are pretty inexpensive if you look around; the one I am using cost me about 65 bucks.

I'm glad you like it...it has been a lot of work. And yeah, I've had some toads coming over, but they seem to have gone away all of a sudden...

I can't wait until I have my own property where I can start this. It's gonna be fun.

Maybe they realized they might be eaten. The pond is made for turtles, anyways.

I did realize though, since I have no intention of hibernating them, I'm going to have to get a indoor tank suitable for them both anyways. Drat, just when I thought I was out of having to get an unnecessary tank...