Turtle pond questions

riley_bla41000

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Dec 23, 2014
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In about a month I plan on building an outdoor habitat for my two 7 inch red eared sliders. I'm thinking I want to get either a horse water trough (I don't know what size, maybe a 100 gallon) or one of those blue plastic kiddy pools you can get from Walmart. I'm leaning more towards a water trough because I'm afraid that the kiddy pool may be too small and not deep enough. If anyone has any better suggestions on what would make a good turtle pond please let me know. I don't want anything too large because I'm moving right after I graduate. in a couple of years I plan to add my baby yellow bellied slider when he gets larger

I also want to know what would be a good substrate, at first i was thinking that I wasn't going to use substrate, but then I was thinking about water plants so what substrate is good for growing water plants and what are safe water plants for my turtles to eat?
And what do I do about filtration? Is there a special filter I need to buy? Or do I need to build something? So if anyone can help me understand that I would appreciate it!
Also what makes the best basking platform? I want to be able to put some sort of substrate for my female to lay eggs.
I would also like to add fish to the pond so what fish are safe for turtles to eat?
I would also like to know if it would be safe to keep them in the pond all year long? I live in East Texas and during the winter it's usually in the 30's and 40's but every ones in awhile it drops to the mid 20's (Fahrenheit)
Thank you for taking the time to read this! I'm sorry that my grammar and wording isn't that great.
If any of you guys no any good websites or threads that could help me I would appreciate it!

Thank you.
 

mike taylor

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I also live in Texas . About a half hour north of Houston . I made my pond out of a horse trough . I the bottom I have sand and crushed granite . I use a biological filter from
Home Depot. I keep my sliders outside year round with no problems . As for plants go with duck weed, water hyacinths,and water lettuce. For fish you cam get minnows . Don't feed goldfish or Rosies . You can put bullfrog tadpoles or crawfish in also . I would go bigger than a one hundred gallon trough sliders need room and deep water for cold days . For winter you can use a pond heater if it gets to cold . Here is a picture of my pond . Whatever you go with make sure they can't climb out .
 

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Grandpa Turtle 144

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If I was you I would use the water trough , I would make a filter cause no filter can keep up with turtles .
I wouldn't use substriaght cause when you vacuume the pond the substriaght will get vacuumed up or be in the way . I would buy new plastic pots like in the greenhouses use to sell plants in . Fill the pots with cheap kitty litter and sink them in the pond . I would put 2x6 across the pond for basking .
I would buy a small picket fense around the pond but line the picket fense with chicken wire be cause a turtle can get between the pickets and the chicken wire will stop that !
I hope this will help Ya !
 

mike taylor

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If you look up yellowturtles new setup its very nice .
 

riley_bla41000

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Dec 23, 2014
Messages
143
I also live in Texas . About a half hour north of Houston . I made my pond out of a horse trough . I the bottom I have sand and crushed granite . I use a biological filter from
Home Depot. I keep my sliders outside year round with no problems . As for plants go with duck weed, water hyacinths,and water lettuce. For fish you cam get minnows . Don't feed goldfish or Rosies . You can put bullfrog tadpoles or crawfish in also . I would go bigger than a one hundred gallon trough sliders need room and deep water for cold days . For winter you can use a pond heater if it gets to cold . Here is a picture of my pond . Whatever you go with make sure they can't climb out .

How many gallons is the horse trough in the picture and where did you get it from?
 

riley_bla41000

Active Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2014
Messages
143
I also live in Texas . About a half hour north of Houston . I made my pond out of a horse trough . I the bottom I have sand and crushed granite . I use a biological filter from
Home Depot. I keep my sliders outside year round with no problems . As for plants go with duck weed, water hyacinths,and water lettuce. For fish you cam get minnows . Don't feed goldfish or Rosies . You can put bullfrog tadpoles or crawfish in also . I would go bigger than a one hundred gallon trough sliders need room and deep water for cold days . For winter you can use a pond heater if it gets to cold . Here is a picture of my pond . Whatever you go with make sure they can't climb out .

And also during the winter do the sliders hibernate?
 

mike taylor

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10 Year Member!
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How many gallons is the horse trough in the picture and where did you get it from?
I think its 1000/1200 gallons . My turtles will come out and bask if its sunny . They will be on their log in as low as 35 º as long as it's sunny .
 

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