tortoiselife
Member
Hi Everyone,
I want to share my completed turtle pond and stream with everyone and I am looking for comments or concerns. I want to soon house and breed Spotted Turtle and maybe African Dwarf Mud Turtles. The pond is about 1500 gallons and ranges from 4000-8000 gph. There is a shelf around the perimeter of the pond that is about 12 inches deep and then the pond goes to a maximin depth of 3.5 feet. It has two large caves at the bottom (around 2 x 2' each) and other small ledges. The stream is 37' and winds up to the top where the water is pumped and filters through 6 crates of bio balls, lava rock, and gravel. 2 crates were recommended for the size but I maxed it out at 6. The stream is up to 3 inches deep and has plenty of cover, bogs, wading area and plants to hide in and around. The pond has two beaches and under the larger beach I dug down about 2 feet and mixed in organic 50/50 soil with sand and then topped with sand for future egg laying. I have a group of 9 adult Radiated torts that surround the area and roam freely.
My concern is the depth of the pond (too deep?) for Spotted. Turtle wondering outside pond & possibly making contact w/Radiated.
When the pond is ready and safe, I'm looking for a breeding group or well started group of Spotted. I want to keep genetic diversity in mind.
Thank you for your comments in advance! John
I want to share my completed turtle pond and stream with everyone and I am looking for comments or concerns. I want to soon house and breed Spotted Turtle and maybe African Dwarf Mud Turtles. The pond is about 1500 gallons and ranges from 4000-8000 gph. There is a shelf around the perimeter of the pond that is about 12 inches deep and then the pond goes to a maximin depth of 3.5 feet. It has two large caves at the bottom (around 2 x 2' each) and other small ledges. The stream is 37' and winds up to the top where the water is pumped and filters through 6 crates of bio balls, lava rock, and gravel. 2 crates were recommended for the size but I maxed it out at 6. The stream is up to 3 inches deep and has plenty of cover, bogs, wading area and plants to hide in and around. The pond has two beaches and under the larger beach I dug down about 2 feet and mixed in organic 50/50 soil with sand and then topped with sand for future egg laying. I have a group of 9 adult Radiated torts that surround the area and roam freely.
My concern is the depth of the pond (too deep?) for Spotted. Turtle wondering outside pond & possibly making contact w/Radiated.
When the pond is ready and safe, I'm looking for a breeding group or well started group of Spotted. I want to keep genetic diversity in mind.
Thank you for your comments in advance! John
