Habitat - Outdoor :: Great Site Newbie Questions About Pacific Northwest

[SeattleSlider]

This appears to be the best Turtle Forum and I hope you all can help me out here.
I am planning on redesigning my Outdoor Koi pond to Support 1-2 RES.

Comments First.
I do not intend to create a debate here over whether to allow hibernation or not opinions differ and I will make that decision when the time comes based on the weather, water temp, and overall health of the turtle.

I will try to get the usual questions out of the way for all of you.

New Design
4 koi 4-6" , 4 Fancy GF 2", 3 Regular GF 3"-5", 20-30 Feeder type GF 1 year old.
Will protect against predators. Pond will be fenced 6'down 20" above ground.
Will get both sun and shade with a small area where it may get a little rain.
Filtered with 2 waterfalls.
600 gallons
Natural Basking area/UVB area under bench and 4'x4' sand/rock roaming area.


Here are my core questions that I have not been able to find answers to.

1. What water temperature range is acceptable for good health.
2. Once water temperature is achieved transition method. Slowly bring transition tank temp down and for how long.
3. Recomended resources for adoption in my area? I really do not want to order online or from a pet store.

[steve]

1 - 75F is fine for adult turtles, could be a little cooler or warmer.
2 - If the water is only a few degrees off, I wouldn't worry about it. An outdoor tank that large will probably have varying degrees of temperature. Remember that the care information is geared for indoor setups where consistency is stressed.
3 - I'd check craigslist first... seems like where people put the least amount of effort into rehoming.

[SeattleSlider]

My General Layout will be as follows please tell me if I am missing something:

THE POND AREA
a. 6’x4’ 3’ deep figure 8 hard liner.
b. Immersion pump with double filtration going into 2 separate waterfalls.
c. ¼ of the pool will be sectioned up from the bottom approx 24’ high with large rocks and then backfilled with sand ( potential hibernation spot for next winter ) Large flat rock for basking in the middle. This will allow turtle/fish to swim in the deep end or shallow end around the basking rock.
d. I plan on using concrete curved pool edging which would force the turtle to be spiderman to climb out. (upside down) with a minimum of 3-4 inches to the water level.

Dry Land
a. One area of the edging will have climbing access to a 3’x 4’ area of river rock/sand this area has a standard park type bench. I plan on placing a UVB light basking rock and shady spot under this bench.
b. The entire area from pond to bench will be fenced with some form of wire 12” buried and 24” above ground using the bench framing as extra support for the fencing.

Food
I have not decided whether to add plants to the pond/dry land yet. Either way lots of greens other than the treat of worm.

[steve]

I'm not very familiar with pond filter options, but a waterfall is a good option for water circulation and oxygenation.

I would also allow the turtle to swim underneath the basking area. And instead of a bare flat rock, you might want to consider adding a piece of cork bark to top layer.

I'm not sure why a UVB light is necessary. If there is not a lot of sunlight in the area, will it get warm enough to encourage basking?

[SeattleSlider]

The fish and turtle will be able to swim all the way around the pond basking rock.

The Pacific Northwest is extremely mild. We don't typically have long cold winters but we also do not have hot warm summers. I figured the Basking Light would always give the Turtle the option. It is not uncommon to have colder nights even in the summer. I figure if I can present all of the options then the turtle can choose what and when. I may even seperate the Turtle pond area by 12" or so and Heat the turtle pool and not the koi pond. with land in-between it can go where It wants.

Thoughs?????? Anyone?????

[bcjchapman]

My brother lives in Seattle and is considering getting a RES. Although, I really would be concerned about the cold winters there. 40 degree high's and snow (this year), etc.. I would think you should get a pond heater, they are easy to get.

1. Water Temp - My RES lives outside in the winter where the water temp. dips to the high 50's at times and she has NEVER had a problem, just a bit lethargic, slow metabolism.

2. Probably a week.
3. craigslist and other web resources for Seattle