Land area build, the beginning.

[Gerards]

My father(we are partners) started the nesting areas on the first row of 600 gallons. He's going to complete one whole pond at a time, I'll post more pics later once we finish the first, complete pond. He is really doing a good job on these, it's going to look awesome when we finish them, the stones walkways, and the landscaping.

Don't forget to vote, Amphibian pic, Chelonia breeder, Turtle pic of the year. Thank you!

 

[wellington]

Can't wait to see it finished. What type of container are they?

 

[Gerards]

Now that the PVC rail is on the rim, the water can be filled all the way to the top, and with the liner in, substrate can be added.

 

[shaf1457]

I see a pvc tube sticking up in one of the pictures. What type of filtration are you guys going to be using. This looks like it would be a nice breading setup.

 

[Gerards]

I see a pvc tube sticking up in one of the pictures. What type of filtration are you guys going to be using. This looks like it would be a nice breading setup.

These are all used for breeding, most will be emydura, and graptemys, one for trachemys dorbignyi, and one for cycloderma frenatum. There will be no filtration, the pipe sticking up is the overflow.

 

[mike taylor]

I would also like to know how you set up the filtering system if you don't mind . I have one of them 1200 gal. Cattle trough . I have a pool pump an sand filter setup. The pump pumps the water through a biological filter then through the sand and back in the trough . The water stays clean no smell or algae. Just would like to set the set up you use. Always looking for the better why thats more healthy for my turtles .

 

[Gerards]

Filled all the way up.

 

[theTurtleRoom]

These are looking awesome, partner!

 

[Jacqui]

What did you line the box with?

 

[Gerards]

I would also like to know how you set up the filtering system if you don't mind . I have one of them 1200 gal. Cattle trough . I have a pool pump an sand filter setup. The pump pumps the water through a biological filter then through the sand and back in the trough . The water stays clean no smell or algae. Just would like to set the set up you use. Always looking for the better why thats more healthy for my turtles .

I do not use any filtration, inside or outside. I either do complete, daily water changes, or have the flow through running to change out the water.

 

[mike taylor]

Man ,thats sounds like a lot of work and a high water bill . Is that what that PVC pipe is an overflow. So you can turn on the water and turn over all your tanks at one time ?

 

[shaf1457]

That is a ton of daily water and I bet requires a ton of time. Are you pulling your water from a river or pond?

I would also like to know how you set up the filtering system if you don't mind . I have one of them 1200 gal. Cattle trough . I have a pool pump an sand filter setup. The pump pumps the water through a biological filter then through the sand and back in the trough . The water stays clean no smell or algae. Just would like to set the set up you use. Always looking for the better why thats more healthy for my turtles .

I do not use any filtration, inside or outside. I either do complete, daily water changes, or have the flow through running to change out the water.

 

[Anthony P]

Unreal! You guys have some great carpentry skills. Wow..

 

[Gerards]

I think filters are way more work, and they give you a false sense of security. It's not something that's going to work everywhere, it's like 86 degrees here and everyone's eating like crazy. I would hate to have to keep up with filters trying to keep up with the amount of food our animals eat. That would suck!

 

[mike taylor]

So you have a fill pipe and a overflow pipe just like a big pond . A friend has a koi pond that is almost a half acre. He has a overflow and a water well set on a timer . He pumps water in the pond for a 12 hour day . It flips the pond water. So do the same on a smaller scale . How often would you do this to them stock tanks you have ?

 

[Millerlite]

Very cool, and great pictures on steps. Imma have to remember this thread for future reference lol

Kyle

 

[Gerards]

So you have a fill pipe and a overflow pipe just like a big pond . A friend has a koi pond that is almost a half acre. He has a overflow and a water well set on a timer . He pumps water in the pond for a 12 hour day . It flips the pond water. So do the same on a smaller scale . How often would you do this to them stock tanks you have ?

Yes, that's how it works, but it's not the same schedule. Depending on the time of year, we may run or switch the water between every couple days and every couple weeks. In the coldest part, we run the water for species like Emydura and Cycloderma from dusk to dawn, it keeps the water from getting to cold for them, but not enough to mess with them. We feed so much in egg season that constant water is better than having to pull a filter apart and drain them down, it requires no disruption in their routine.

 

[mike taylor]

That is awesome. I like how you go it set up . Just couple more questions. Are you on city water or on a well?

 

[Anthony P]

Wow. That is coming along so well… You guys work fast. How'd you find time to call me today!?

 

[Gerards]

I'm not there, my dad's doing it by himself, we had to head back home. Those are for turtles at his house, I'm going back down to help him finish and do the Softshells nesting area, that ones a two person job. Plus, we are sinking a couple 100 gallon tubs in there for swallow water resting areas.

Yes, we are on well water.

The liner for the nesting areas are concrete board(kind of like fiberglass with concrete), wood rots out to quickly.