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Hello,

I built a 5’ by 3’ turtle enclosure with a 50 gallon pond liner. I currently have 3 (3 inch) turtles in it. I know these turtles (Cumberland, hieroglyphics, red belly) will grow and I am looking to build an expansion. I have a 60 gallon pond liner (circular) which would add about 3.5 feet to the enclosure. For these three turtles, would this suggested habitat suffice as an indoor habitat (When they get bigger it would be from October through April and would be outside in the summer)? It would be 110 separated gallons of water. I am running an ovation 1000 in the current pond but will be adding a custom made water fall filter. In the 60 gallon pond, I’d likely run a second ovation 1000 until I can invest in a canister filter. Thoughts or suggestions? The enclosure above houses my box turtles during the winter.

How warm/cold does it get where you are? You will need to wait to find out if any turtles are males, which tend to be very aggressive and need separation.

We have solid stretch of winter. The pond is in a heated room away from exterior doors and windows. I believe, based on what I have read the slider is female. The other two i’m Not willing to guess yet.

If your summers are pretty warm, you might need a larger in-ground pond for outdoor usage. As for genders, you should know pretty soon and I would strongly base any upgrades on that information first.

Thanks Steve! Our late spring through early fall are warm/hot. I will be using a large pond but want them to grow a little and I’d like to research the best way to keep animals like raccoons out.

Raccoons are pretty aggressive, so deep areas in the pond where the turtles will sleep would be important. Wire fencing is pretty inexpensive and strong... I would use it cover and secure the top. Chicken wire/hardware cloth is an alternative.