3 Toeds- Photos from the pen

[AJK Aquaria]

Snapped some pics today. Brutally warm here in Illinois currently. Some of the turtles are still out, as the enclosure receives a lot of shade late in the afternoon. The pen is 16x10' and equipped with an electric wire to keep out unwanted critters. All photos taken today...

The lillies are popping up everyday. Hoping for some flowers soon...

Some of the residents. We had a lot of rain recently, so lots of muddy shells...

Male (Pup)

Male (no name yet)

Colorful female (Providence)

Begging for some crawlers...

Inquisitive female (no name yet, and the smallest of the group. Approx 4.5" SCL)

Lovers in the summer heat...

Beating the heat with my buddy Sam...

Have a great weekend!

 

[cmacusa3]

Cheers! Looks great!!

 

[Rue]

Looks great! You are giving me ideas for our eventual outdoor enclosure!

Do you filter/aerate the water at all?

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Thanks for the compliments!

Rue-
I have a lone 75 gpm pump. It used to pump through some poly tubing and cascade over a rock into the pond. I recently just eliminated the tubing and have it breaking the surface for agitation. A school of fathead minnows keeps mosquito larvae in check.

I have several large aquariums for cichlids, and have a strong understanding of the nitrogen cycle. I figured with the agitation, plants and the fact that beneficial bacteria will naturally occurring over time, I'd be safe with water. I have not run a test on ammonia, nitrite or nitrate.

The pond is approximately 6x4' and has 3 tiers. A couple inches, to 6" and finally 1 foot. Each tier is somewhat gradual. I used a river stone called 'red flint' to make these transitions manageable for the turtles. Some do go for an occasional swim and explore underwater, but I've seen this only a few times. Keep in mind though that this was constructed just this spring... it's all new to me. We're enjoying it everyday.

 

[Rue]

Thanks! I was going to ask about mosquitos too!

Do the three toes eat the minnows?

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Welcome.

I helped my Dad with a big pond when I was a teenager. I would always bring back sunfish and add to the Koi to keep their Fry in check. So at first I wanted to add a sunnie. But with the extreme shallows and mosquitos that wouldn't work. So I opted for the minnows.

Not sure if they've caught any. I hope so! This big boy patrols regularly...

 

[Eric Phillips]

Thanks! I was going to ask about mosquitos too!

Do the three toes eat the minnows?

If I pull the minnows out on land my box turtles don't waste anytime on them but I haven't seen any catch one in the water. This enclosure looks great! Well done especially enjoying it with a Sam Adams

 

[Eric Phillips]

Snapped some pics today. Brutally warm here in Illinois currently. Some of the turtles are still out, as the enclosure receives a lot of shade late in the afternoon. The pen is 16x10' and equipped with an electric wire to keep out unwanted critters. All photos taken today...

The lillies are popping up everyday. Hoping for some flowers soon...

Some of the residents. We had a lot of rain recently, so lots of muddy shells...

Male (Pup)

Male (no name yet)

Colorful female (Providence)

Begging for some crawlers...

Inquisitive female (no name yet, and the smallest of the group. Approx 4.5" SCL)

Lovers in the summer heat...

Beating the heat with my buddy Sam...

Have a great weekend!

Snapped some pics today. Brutally warm here in Illinois currently. Some of the turtles are still out, as the enclosure receives a lot of shade late in the afternoon. The pen is 16x10' and equipped with an electric wire to keep out unwanted critters. All photos taken today...

The lillies are popping up everyday. Hoping for some flowers soon...

Some of the residents. We had a lot of rain recently, so lots of muddy shells...

Male (Pup)

Male (no name yet)

Colorful female (Providence)

Begging for some crawlers...

Inquisitive female (no name yet, and the smallest of the group. Approx 4.5" SCL)

Lovers in the summer heat...

Beating the heat with my buddy Sam...

Have a great weekend!

 

[Eric Phillips]

Hey Craig, looks like we have a new member to the turtle porn, beer drinking, variety hour show here on TFO! Welcome and Cheers to you AJK Aquaria! "May you continue to fill your heart with a shell and your belly with liquid bread!"

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Hey Craig, looks like we have a new member to the turtle porn, beer drinking, variety hour show here on TFO! Welcome and Cheers to you AJK Aquaria! "May you continue to fill your heart with a shell and your belly with liquid bread!"

LOL thanks for the warm welcome.
Too funny...
I think I had too much 'liquid bread' last night...

 

[ColleenT]

looks like a great enclosure and happy turtles!

 

[AJK Aquaria]

looks like a great enclosure and happy turtles!

Thank you Colleen.

 

[bouaboua]

Very impressive enclosure.

You know Sam too?? He is my buddy too.

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Very impressive enclosure.

You know Sam too?? He is my buddy too.

Thanks!
Sam has a lot of friends...

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Some older pics...

Male enjoying some rays...

Colorful Male (Skeletor)

 

[Berkeley]

Very nice enclosure! Good looking turtles too.
--Berkeley

 

[MyersTortoise]

What an inspirational enclosure!

 

[AJK Aquaria]

Thank you Berkeley and Myers. Much appreciated.

4 is apparently not a crowd...
Get a room!

 

[Turtle mom]

A turtle orgy!!!

 

[AJK Aquaria]

From yesterday, right before dusk