Habitat - Outdoor :: Our pond is done

[MamaLou]

Well its about time, MamaLou and the baby Lous finally have a turtle pond to call their own. 12'x8', about 1000 gals or so, 88 pavers, 46 flat pavers, stones for on top to keep the little ones in, a spitter, pondmaster 9.5 pump and filter unit, another pump, 3 months and there it is.
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So the algae is getting under control with algae fix, it gets alot of sunlight so that will always be a problem. If I can get any pics of them actually visible in it I will post those here as well. Right now they are having fun hiding. We will be putting up some pretty fencing around the base, and then enclosing the areasurrounding the pond since our yard is not fenced yet, just in case anybody decides to escape. Hope this helps anyone thinking of building a pond, so far this one is successful and we are happy to share our ideas. Oh yeah and there apparently is a small frog living in there somewhere.

[CV Cream]

Wow, thats an amazing pond!

[MamaLou]

Thanks! It was alot of work digging the hole in NC summer sun, but worth it, the turtles are so happy.

[wetchikn]

I love it I sm geting ready to retire and I hope to build the same

[missibsu]

Looks nice! What are you doing about keeping preditors out? I would hate to see one of your turts injured.

By the way...can I hire you? lol!

[MamaLou]

Thanks for the nice comments, so far they have only experienced pond life a few days total, and the only things we see around here luckily are squirrels. We plan to get some kind of netting for night time and will keep them in if we go away or for wintertime. We have dogs so I think that tends to keep the bigger critters away.
Hmmm, travel to Ohio to dig a hole, not a bad idea.

[scripta_elegans]

wow what lucky turtles!

[CountryGirl68]

You did a great job on your pond.

[steve]

Looks great! Do you have any shade for the pond? Are you going to add aquatic plants?

[MamaLou]

The pond is located in a small clearing in the back yard, the tall trees we have provide Id say about 1/3rd of the pond shaded through out the day as the sun moves, and they also have a large cement block to hide under for now. I plan to build a 'just for looks' bridge over the center of the pond to add shade for them and to put some plants on and in. Still have to do some more research on appropriate water plants to get so they are not harmed if they eat them. This is definitely a fun project! Thanks for all the great compliments, we probably wouldnt have built the pond if it werent for this forum.

[scripta_elegans]

I got this from the "to feed" sticky for water plants. I don't know if it helps, but I found it interesting..
Amazon Swords
Anacharis
Duckweed
Nasturtium
Water Hyacinth
Water Lettuce
Water Lily

[MamaLou]

I have also read they love to eat the last three on that list, thanks for the info, and I will look at the sticky too., its a start! Always like to hear anyones suggestions on anything pond!

[marisa]

Nice looking pond! Well worth the work you had to put into it. Are you going to put a fence around it? I'm wondering if the turtles could still climb out.

[MamaLou]

Marisa, Yes we are going to put a fence up around the pond as well as fenceing in the back yard. We are going to be using bamboo fenceing for the yard as well as around the pond. We are thinking of putting a pergola over the pond for asthetics. We are going for the whole tropical back yard approach. IT is going to take some time but we will get there. The turtles couldn't be happier right now. We are so glad we were able to do this for them. WE love heairng the comments or other ideas so please send them our way. )

[reptilegrrl]

It looks nice.

Even if the pond is in full sun, algae should not be a problem, as long as you have enough filtration. My pond is in full sun and has clear water. My neighbor's pond is in full sun and has pea soup. I made my own filter and hers is store-bought, and she is overloaded with fish.

A balanced man-made pond does not have a problem with algae, but you have to keep it balanced.

Congratulations, isn't it fun to have a pond?