I need tips for my Backyard Pond for Red-Eared Slider, please...
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Hi! I have an aquatic turtle that I would love to transition to the backyard. He is a rescue that was dumped at Petco on Christmas Eve. I have bought a 40 gal. pond liner, 20 gal. pond liner, a little streamlet and some plants. The goal is to make this DIY pond look as natural and awesome as possible. The photos of DIY ponds that I have found online are functional but not awesome. The ponds designed by professionals are stunning but hiring a contractor is not in the budget. Does anyone have any photos, tips and/ or dangers that they would be willing to share? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
P.S. Here is a picture of "Finn", his feeder fish turned friends and some of the backyard. The pond/ stream might be placed in between the jacuzzi and wooden fence. Please excuse the neighbor's dilapidated fence (that's the next obstacle/ project to tacle. LOL.).
7 answers
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![Banjojane66]()
Banjojane66
on Apr 10, 2017
Check out of the pictures on dabbler.com! There's one for a small area you can move later. I'm not familiar with raising turtles, so I can't be of much help, except your baby is small, so it will be awhile before he gets big enough to go outside, right? If you want him to see outside now, there's a picture of a small pond by a tree. Maybe, you can move him out in the day and in at night? (so he doesn't get scared in the dark? lol) Good luck.
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![Banjojane66]()
Banjojane66
on Apr 10, 2017
Also, put a stack of rocks in the center of aquarium so he can dry off a little, dive in for a swim!
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![Barbara Tremain Dodge]()
Barbara Tremain Dodge
on Apr 10, 2017
Hi Rachel, I didn't see if you mentioned where you are located, but you might want to contact a local wildlife rehabber. They would be able to give you suggestions. -
![D fuhrman]()
D fuhrman
on Apr 11, 2017
i too had a red earred slider that someone didn't want. i had him in a 50 gallon tank. keeping it clean was nearly impossible. i donated him to rock eagle,an educational facility in georgia. you don't indicate where you live so keeping him outside may not be an option. also i would be very worried that coons or even hawks could get him. good luck with your project and thanks for giving him a home. -
![Susan]()
Susan
on Apr 11, 2017
My sister put a turtle in her backyard pond and it tore everything up. You might want to see if you can find someone with turtle experience to help design the pond and pick materials. -
![Marilyn Zaruba]()
Marilyn Zaruba
on Apr 11, 2017
My friend with a koi/turtle pond says she has to be careful to have a built-in hiding spot for the fish and turtles or the herons will get them...or whatever wildlife you have around you. -
![Leronna Farley]()
Leronna Farley
on Apr 11, 2017
We have a pond with water turtles, we cant have ANY plants in it because they eat them. We have cinder blocks with rocks on top to TRY & keep them in, but they still get out. They even got in my other pond & ate my water lily, root & all; then they went back into the big pond. VERY FRUSTRATING as I want plants in my ponds.
Banjojane66
on Apr 10, 2017
Barbara Tremain Dodge
on Apr 10, 2017
D fuhrman
on Apr 11, 2017
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