Habitat - Outdoor :: Planning a Pond. help please?

Ponds and other outdoor enclosures.

Post Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 9:07 am   Planning a Pond. help please?

As far back as I recall, I always wanted a pond, after seeing the preformed ponds from Lowes or Home Depot. I can't remember which. Currently I keep my three turtles in a kiddie pool. One is about 8" and the other two are barely 2". They get along well. I've been surprised by it.

Anyway, I've been too busy to shop for a bond anymore. I had been to Lowes once, but they only had a 91 gallon pond for their biggest. I know they have those liners, where you dig the whole and then line it. I thought that would be best, seeing that I could make any shape or size. How good are the liners? Do they rip or tear easily? Or would a plastic pond form be better? With three turtles, I would need about 100 gallons for each turtle still, right? And how about the filter? What's the general rule of thumb on it?

I bought a book from lowes on ponds and fountains which has given me ideas on design, but not the size or filter. Though, according to it the idea is to be able to filter the pond twice every two hours or something like that. Any help on the pond subject would be much appreciated. Either this weekend or sometime later I'll be looking at ponds again. Hopefully this summer I will be able to build it and my turtles will be happy with their very own habitat.
christu
 
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Post Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 10:59 am   

Tractor Supply has a 675 Gallon Stock Tank that would make a nice pond. 8' diameter, 2' deep. You'll most likely be using a "skippy filter" that's kinda home made. I think with Ponds you'll need a UV sterilizer for algae control, and a pond pump with some serious flow rates.
scottpkura
 
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Post Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 2:09 pm   

Liners are fairly durable. If you use one, though, make sure the ground underneath is smooth and doesn't have any sharp rocks that could perforate it.
"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." -Antoine de Saint Exupery-
marisa
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Post Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:51 pm   

I went with a liner for mine...has worked out quite well. Having a liner really allows you to make the pond any size/shape you want. Personally, I find that having a deeper pond is better (although you do have to buy a bigger pump).
callmepotato83
 
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Post Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 2:03 am   

Make sure you also but an "underlayment" and install that before the liner.
There are different types of liners as well.Some rated for 10 years and some rated for 30 years.Make sure you buy the good one ;)
UV light very recommended and lots of plants that help filter the water.Also add some "tunnels" with 10" diameter pipe covered with rocks where the turtles can hide to avoid predators
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