Habitat - Indoor :: Pond or Tank?

[LKitsch]

I have 3 RES's---2 females in a 100 gallon tank and a male in a 50. I separated them a couple of years ago because the male harassed the females to the point of biting and breaking skin.

Now I am thinking of getting rid of the tanks and installing a large indoor turtle pond. Some questions:

1. I'd like to put them all together again---what size pond, and in a large pond, will there be enough room so the females can get away from the male when he pesters them?

2. If I stick with a tank, about what size would you all recommend?

2. Is one large basking area OK, or do I need to have two? I don't think the male bothers the females out of the water.

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

Depends how big your turtles are? If i had 3 turtles all 4 in. i would go for a 300+ gallon pond to allow them growing room. Dont forget when you make a pond that you need to escape proof it.

[marisa]

Yes, how big are they? If you go by the guideline of 10 gallons of tank/container per inch of shell length (adding them together), you'll have an idea of what they should be in now. But if they're not fully grown, you should go bigger. Will where you live take the weight of a big indoor pond?

I'd have areas the females could go to for privacy and objects to break up their sight lines so they're not always looking at each other.

[LKitsch]

My turtles are all adults---the male is 5-6" and the 2 females are 9-10" each. So according to that calculation, I need a minimum 250 gallon tank or pond. I live in a townhouse condo and the first floor sits on top of a subterranean garage, which is essentially a big concrete bunker, so it could certainly handle the weight.

[marisa]

I'd go as big as possible to keep the possibility of harassment to a minimum.

[lydia_lady_fla]

big and decorate so its eye appealing to you too lol have you also thought of an area the females can lay eggs? this will happen with or with out a male involved and it will need to be a sandy bank?

[LKitsch]

I have thought about where they lay eggs, and it's a challenge. It seems almost impossible to do a sandy bank in a tank. It seems possible in a pond, although difficult.

Now the females just let the eggs drop in the water and they usually eat them. I tried a sand box but they did not like it---just wanted to get out, and it is really hard to tell when they are ready to lay.

I don't want baby turtles---they are like kittens: cute but impossible to unload and too many unwanted ones around anyway.

Any suggestions to the sand problem are welcomed! Thanx.

[lydia_lady_fla]

I understand that you dont wont babies I just thought from reading things here that the females will lay eggs even if there is not a male around em (like chickens do). I thought they needed a place to be comfortable with doing this or they may become egg bound b caz they held the egg in? I guess each turts diffrent there too I guess if you dont wont fertile eggs it would be best not to have your male incorperated into the pond idea caz nature will take its course and you might get little ones.wonder how many baby turts could be hatched by one laying,does anyone here know looks like abunch when you watch the discovery channel well keep me informed on how you go with this thing and good luck.

[jenaero]

Even if your female lays fertilized eggs, you don't need to hatch them. Dig them up and throw'em out.

[LKitsch]

I have been told that a female will lay fertilized eggs for some time after being impregnated by a male---sometimes for as long as a year or two. I could give the male away to the CA Turtle and Tortoise Society if I have to, but he's my first and favorite.

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

you could just give away the 2 females. If you want to keep the male. Its really all up to you. Or you could give your male turtle a long talk about safe sex. HAHA lol i dont think he will listen but its worth a try. lol

[marisa]

I've read the female can lay fertilized eggs for 3-4 years after having mated.

Some of the preformed ponds have ledges that could be made into a nesting area with a little ingenuity.

[lydia_lady_fla]

wow 3-4 years man these turtles sure fasinate me

you could build your dream pond let the females have it and keep the male in an aquirum still can't you?isnt that where they all are right now?