Shallow pond watering hole for my Russians

glassbird

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As fresh cement "cures", it is very acidic. This is a problem in the pond world...people build cement ponds, let it get hard, then fill with water and add fish. But those fish die very quickly, because the water has the acid in it from the curing cement. "Pond people" who know better will fill and drain the new pond repeatedly for several weeks, allowing the acid to eventually be removed. Or at least lowered enough to be kept at a manageable level with appropriate chemicals....and only then add fish.

I suspect that your new pond is doing the same. Your tortoise is not living in it 24/7, but the acid build up still needs to be managed. I would strongly suggest at least changing out the water on a daily basis for a few weeks.
 

Wolfen

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Is that water safe to drink?

No chemicals from the cement can leach in to the water once it's cured?
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
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Is that water safe to drink?

No chemicals from the cement can leach in to the water once it's cured?
I use cement pools also.
There is no issue.
I sweep them out with a broom once a week and fill them back up.
It's simple and efficient
 
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