O.T. My turtle pond!

[Gmandese]

Hello everyone! I haven't been around in a while, miss you guys! I have done a lot of turtle adoptions, maybe even some rescues, and my outdoor pond has made some improvements. I built a DIY bio filter box for my pond, run by a mag 7, it is capable of filtering a much larger pond than I have. It has a 10 gallon capacity (to hold bio and filter media), and a 700gph flow! Right now, I'm using a kiddie pool, but I have a new pond liner, and I'm waiting for the weather to get better so I can re-model.
Anyway I have about 15 turtles now, and here are some pics.

 

[Gmandese]

Now, here are some of the inhabitants!

 

[Gmandese]

I have a complete photo illustrated DIY log of the filter, I posted on another group. If anyone is interested in building one, I can post here, or point you to the place where the log resides!

 

[nanoreefer22]

Looks like you've got urself some happy campers. I'd like to see the entire thread(FW still lurks in me).
-Kris

 

[jhale]

sweet Gerry, your turtles are :pimp: ing

I love the lights for them and the grass they get to hang out in.
Do they go inside when it gets cold?
How many kinds of turtles are in the pond?

 

[fritz]

I'd like to see it also, I'm a big fan of ponds. Great job by the way it makes me want to dig one in my backyard.

 

[LeslieS]

I think it's great that you are doin turtle rescue!!! I was in the PetCo last week, and someone brought in a turtle to give to them. Apparently it happens all the time, but they can only take so many. People buy them without realizing that turtles need lots more space than an aquarium can provide (in most cases .

Also, interested in what they do in winter time and love the lights!

 

[Gmandese]

In the pond, I have 3 red eared sliders. 2 really big ones, a male and female. The male is the really light one in the pics. Really unusual, hopefully I'll get some babies this year. Also, 2 eastern painted, 2 western painted, 3 southern painted, 2 asian leaf turtles, a reeves turtle, 1 3-toed box female, and 2 Russian tortoises. The Russians stay indoors upstairs, and I bring them out for sun and excersise. They need arrid conditions, and the humidity outdoors isn't too good for them, as well as they can't swim! If they got into the pond, they might not get out, and drown.
In the winter, everyone comes inside into several tanks, until spring. They stay in the basement, with no heat in the water, but a basking light. That simulates a winter environment without being too harsh, and they're ready earlier in the spring to go back into the pond. If I kept them heated, I'd have to wait much longer to bring them outside. Besides, it encourages breeding behavior!

 

[scarf_ace1981]

that is very cool. turtle paradise

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I agree with scarf it looks great!

As do your FW tanks.

 

[Gmandese]

It is soon to be improved! The liner I have will make it bigger. and I'll scape it better, too. I'm working on a design, and waiting for good weather.

 

[LeslieS]

I cannot wait to see it!