Habitat - Outdoor :: Creating a res pond in New Zealand

[starlitskie]

I have two red eared sliders, living in a large tank at the moment. Until me and my partner move into our house in a year (we have land to build on) someone is taking care of them for me in the meantime.

When we move, I want to move them into a more natural looking outdoor arrangement.
My main concerns are:
1. I am on the West Coast of the South Island in New Zealand. It rains a lot here. On the up side, it never really snows but you can feel the chill in the winter.
2. Money
3. Power cords + Rain = How does that work?
4. Easy to clean.

So, I do have a few ideas in place but nothing really set in stone. I was sort of thinking of making it like an indoor pond but that was sheltered outside...maybe?

Idea 1: 3 x 3 metre pond (dug/not too deep) with a waterproof gazebo covering it. The pond would extend out a little bit more than this (in the sun) and lead to a sandy sunbathing spot contained by a stone wall.

Idea 2: Make a stream/fence in a nearby stream where water will flow in and out thus making filteration not an issue. My concern/problem: Cold water.

Idea 3: Much like idea 1 but a glasshouse (with the plastic, not glass most likely) that would have windows. Concern/problem: Overheat?

I want my turtles to be really happy in their new environment. I really have no idea what im doing so please help. My sheltered ideas involve having regular aquarium heaters heating part of the water but am wondering if they would heat the water up enough.

Please help.

[starlitskie]

Trying to show a picture of the gazebo and my drawing. Does not include plans for heating/filteration, etc at this stage.



I would prefer not to have a shelter but thought it might help stop it flooding, less fencing required and might help heater cords, etc not be harmed by rain (i assume they would attach to a outdoor plug?not sure?)

[jameshermanto]

COOL!!!!

[LorJ]

You may still have to put up fencing around the gazebo. Unless there is an attached bottom, they can crawl under and get out.

[starlitskie]

Cool so it could work? Alternatively, is there any way to have cords running directly from the pond to say, a garage, without shelter? I figured that perhaps someone had invented some magical plastic covering to put over cords or something? But then i wondered if rain pounding down would affect the heater/s. And also if the gazebo would trap heat any better?

[steve]

Looks nice, but why do you think you need a gazebo? Wouldn't that block a lot of sunlight?

There could be complications from using a nearby stream, so I would be reluctant to try that

For electrical wiring, hire a professional. You never want to mess with that stuff.

[PcBuilder14]

Wiring electrical isn't to hard,as long as you have the right suppplies and turn off the power to the output your using.

[amylawton]

hi there
im in nelson and got my two gals in pond outside. Not covered but use a huge bit of rimu that they hide under and i put a heater under also. got a fountainpump and UV filter to keep water clear. i fenced sides off and dug a hole about thigh deep and gradually eased it out. Pond liner cheap as on trademe, surround sides with large slabs of rock for them to bask on.

its my first winter with them outside coming up. we not as wet as down the coast but we do get a few very cold frosts. will let you know how i get on with the cold.

[amylawton]

also we dont have predators here, unless there a feral cats around or hunting dogs (if you rural). our cat sits by the pond watching the fish and the staffy doesnt want anything to do with them. we only have sides not a roof. you want sun for them to bask and rain to help oxygenate the water.

i still use a pump and uv filteer tho to keep the water clean and i run a heater also.

[amylawton]

hey chickadee ive posted some pics of my pond in nelson

there a lady on trademe who does rescue for turtles and heaps of info about keeping them in NewZealand. A lot of the info on this site isnt that specific for little old NZ.

look on the pet forum on trademe, she is just lovely and has 50 turtles from rescues, SPCA etc and she hibernates all of them. she talking me through it. Look her up, shes the best contact i have made and ive been searching for info for months.

[Erroneous]

Wiring electrical isn't to hard,as long as you have the right suppplies and turn off the power to the output your using.

I consider myself a novice electrician because I've made my own electronic devices, but believe me when I say make sure you research whatever you're trying to do. Several reasons.
1) Might need a permit. Without having a permit you could later be forced to remove the work, or it could sourly affect resell value of your home. Check with your local government.
2) Logic may say one thing while your local electrical code might say another. Not saying code is wrong, just that with inexperience comes faulty logic.
3) If nothing else researching it will help you make sure your professional is doing it correct. There's plenty of contractors that don't know what they're doing.