Habitat - Outdoor :: Mr. T's pond it finally done! (pictures)

[VelvetAlley]

I'm looking for things to put in my pond. The stones that you have set up there; what are they sitting on? Could be stacked stones, or like a kitchen stool?

I was brain storming using something like a step stool, because then they could swim under it as well. Like This

[tinkersumx]

I was having a hard time figuring out the support for the basking area as well. I finally just went to Home Depot and looked around for ideas. I ended up getting a very large piece of black pvc pipe and put a stopper/outlet type piece on both ends and filled it with rocks to weigh it down.

It worked very well. He can't swim under it but he has plenty of room to swim so I wasn't concerned with that.

[Hoooneylynn]

I LOVE the basking platform turtle

[tinkersumx]

thanks I got the idea from Fric's pond pictures.

[fric]

Hi tinkersumx ... I've written a response to your questions under "outdoor habitat" and after taking another look at your pond it looks like you resolved the basking area.

Something to keep in mind this summer is that your pond can really warm up in full sun and a means of shade is a must ... at least it is here in East Texas.
My roof line covers part of my pond and the umbrella palm does the rest allowing just enough sun for the boys to bask in.

I would love to know what those plants are in with Mr. T ... I might try growing some of that this spring myself. Cute dog btw ... fric

[reptilegrrl]

The pump has a pre-filter cage on it, so there is no intake hose. I was thinking of making a bigger pre-filter for it but it seems to be working very well how it is now. The pump is 325 gph and the water is incredibly clear.

This is similar to my setup, but I have a larger skippy. Six months into the project, I wish I had made a prefilter and I am definitely building one now. I just cleaned out the skippy and it was just full of crud, dead, algae, etc. I'll be making the prefilter this weekend.

I definitely advise a prefilter.

I can only guess that the rock was super-expensive! My pond is very similar and cost about $250 altogether.

[reptilegrrl]

I'm looking for things to put in my pond. The stones that you have set up there; what are they sitting on? Could be stacked stones, or like a kitchen stool?

I was brain storming using something like a step stool, because then they could swim under it as well. Like This

I made a stand out of pvc... I need to post pics of that again.

In the end, I'm just using floating basking pieces.

[reptilegrrl]

Your pond looks great! Mine is very similar, and Fric was a big inspiration

[diyanahomie]

wow.. that is s really pretty pond!
my house is too small to have a pond.. i have a small water fountain though.. but ami and yumi can easily climb out..

[Breigh]

That looks absolutely fantastic!

I have pond envy!!

[tinkersumx]

UPDATE:
Its been about 3 months since the pond was finished. I've had a couple pond problems and some pretty easy solutions.

The first thing was the sun issue. Because it's winter time the sun only hit the basking area for about 45 min to an hour every day. If Mr.T didn't catch it in time than he wouldn't get in any basking at all. So, I put in two clamp lights from home depot (about $8 each). One has a heat bulb and the other has a 10% UVB bulb. This insures he gets enough rays. Also, If he feels like basking at 7pm while it's dark out, HE CAN !!! (I turn them off at about 9pm)

Next issue: Plants! He loved his water plants, so much! He ate them all up. No biggie, I thought, I'll just buy more.... WRONG! Even though we live in southern cali the plant stores, pond stores, etc, didn't sell them in winter. I had to buy some fake lilly pads . But, the exciting thing I discovered about these fake lilly pads is that I could put live crickets on them and Mr.T can hunt! He's been having a great time! (p.s. the lilly pads are much too thick and strong for him to eat)

Other issue: Plants, Again!
So, we had a huge cold front and it was about 28-35 F at night for about a week. All my plants died, grass, lime tree, that pretty palm next to the pond, and all the filter plants. No solution yet. I'm just gonna have to wait for about a month until spring and try to recover them or buy new ones.

Unexpected issues:
#1- Mr.T no longer will eat veggies. Lettuce was his FAVORITE!!! Also, loved carrots. He has no interest in them whatsoever.

#2- Fish are Friends not Food. He wont eat his feeder fish.

[tinkersumx]

The pump has a pre-filter cage on it, so there is no intake hose. I was thinking of making a bigger pre-filter for it but it seems to be working very well how it is now. The pump is 325 gph and the water is incredibly clear.

This is similar to my setup, but I have a larger skippy. Six months into the project, I wish I had made a prefilter and I am definitely building one now. I just cleaned out the skippy and it was just full of crud, dead, algae, etc. I'll be making the prefilter this weekend.

I definitely advise a prefilter.

I can only guess that the rock was super-expensive! My pond is very similar and cost about $250 altogether.

Thanks for the advice... Within the past week or two the water has turned super green & I can only see about an inch below the surface. Any advice?

[Luv_my_Turtle]

Is your pump inside the tank? What does a pre-filter look like? Can you explain how you made the filter? Sorry so many questions. It's that I'm planning on doind something very similar and am in need of information. Thanks for any help. Loved your pond, pitty I won't be able to find a basking turtle where I live.