Habitat - Outdoor :: Keeping Stock Tank Pond Clean

[oliver_at_large]

About 6 months ago, I setup an outdoor stock tank pond for my turtle, Herbie. Its a galvanized stock tank about 160 Gal (6' x 2' x 2'). So far, I have gotten it setup fairly well. Got some plants (Water Lilies, Duckweed and Water Hyacinth. Had Anacharis but Herbie ate it all). Added some swordtails and guppies to the mix to keep it interesting as well. There is however one major issue that I know i need to take care off. I am currently using my Cascade 1500 canister filter which I had while he was still indoors to keep the water clean. I know this is inadequate given that I should be using something rated for at least 350 Gal. My budget doesn't allow me to change it just yet though and I need to think carefully what my next steps will be. Thought about making a bio filter but not sure where to begin with that. Any suggestions? I'll upload pics soon

[oliver_at_large]

See older pictures of the tank. Things aren't as green as before since most plants have been eaten/damaged.

[AccTurtleGuy]

You can make a DIY filter. Just get a 5 gallon bucket, some filter media, tubing and a water pump. You can get a 500 gph pump for like $50, and probably do the whole thing for like $70-$80. I'm about to, just gotta buy a bigger tank lol

[steve]

Very nice! Would like to see more pics I agree with AccTurtleGuy, you can make a filter for the setup. Look for "skippy filter" and it could even be cheaper depending on what you have available.

[oliver_at_large]

First off, I'm not in the US and things can be fairly expensive where I am (a 500 gph pump runs closer to the equivalent of $200). Also, I would really wanna make something persons can look at without frowning. So I was thinking about a clear sterilite container that could just about sit across the width of the pond and cut out an overflow so it creates a waterfall from the skippy filter into the pond. Problem is, the design would be more square than round and the instructions recommend a rounded edge container for skippy filters. Not sure if it matters though. Anyone ever do something similar?

P.S. I'll definitely post more pics soon. The white lilly is about to bloom again soon

[oliver_at_large]

Just got a fresh bloom from my white water lilly. Blooms at night so picture is a bit dark.

[Linus]

Our DIY Pond filter, just scroll down:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=22816

[oliver_at_large]

Thanks Linus. You've given me some additional inspiration to get this project done. I'll try to share the pics of my design when completed.

[taanddean]

Linus--Wonderful pond! Makes my Yertle jealous....

Oliver--I've always heard such bad things about stock tanks and released toxins. Bless you--I need to re-think this as an option. Thanks!!

[sflemin2]

oliver_at_large, that setup so gorgeous!!!!!!

[JCsTurt]

I so want to do something like this for Turtimus when he gets healthy again! He is at the limits for his current tank and once he starts growing again, we'll need to upgrade pretty soon. I have such a hard time finding those plants around here though. All I seem to find is bulbs which never grow! Also, I'm so jealous of all the turts out there that gobble up the plants. Turt just is NOT interested in plant life in the least! Gotta keep searching for different pet stores or something.

[sflemin2]

I have had a little luck with the lilies but they dont get too big. I don't have a place outside with direct sunlight all day (I do but I keep a pump in the container to prevent mosquitos). JCsTurt, maybe he will be interested when he feels better . Mine didn't care for veggies until they were older

[oliver_at_large]

I'm trying to see if i can get some anacharis to give him something else to tear up instead of my lillies. He finally laid to rest my blue lilly which I was trying hard to revive. Gonna have to buy another one and see how things work out. Good thing is I can get them relatively cheap from the botanical gardens since they have a pond full of them. My turtle doesn't always eat the plants. He just bites them, usually along the stalk which renders that leave useless to the plant. If you are gonna grow plants, you gotta find something that grows fast under the conditions the tank is in. For me, I have some success with water hyacinth, water lillies, anacharis (to an extent. I eventually have to restock after he eats it all) and duckweed. I have some secondary fish tanks with my special fish I don't want him eating. I recently started growing extra plants in those tanks which seems to be working.

[taanddean]

A guy I know got a new bathtub in at his plumbing supply house that has a 'ding' and cannot be sold. He's giving it to me for Yertle! BIG habitat! Happy turtle!! If anyone has set up a bathtub before and has ideas, let me know? My plan right now is to treat it pretty much like a stock tank. I should pick it up Saturday, and I'm sure it'll take forever to set up and get ready for him, but we're excited.

Now that we'll have room, if I go to the local home-supply store and get a plant for Yertle, is a variety of duckweed, or anachris or whatever going to hurt him? Does it have to be a specific variety, or not? All I know is a little herbal medicine, and it has to be the correct variation of the plant, or it won't work and can do harm. Same thing with turtle plants, or are they less fragile than humans?

Thanks!!

[steve]

A bathtub makes a great turtle tank. We've had a couple of people before show us their tubs. I don't think variations of those plants are harmful, though we never hear about them.