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Posted: **Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:02 pm**

We've finally got Spotty in his summer home in the back yard. Thought you might like to see some pics. I still don't consider it a completed project - maybe it never will be - but it's habitable for him and we enjoy it too.

Spot's Summer Home

Spot in His Pond

Hi Spotty!

View from the Patio

View from the Pond

The pond holds about 500 gallons of water. It's six feet in diameter not counting the walls, and the water is 2 1/2 feet deep. About half the water is below ground level. It's made with a flexible liner and walls of Windsor block topped with Ozark flagstone. The flagstones weren't quite set right so Spot was able to climb right out. We've temporarily fixed it with concrete blocks until we figure out what to do permanently. There's a UV sterilizer connected to a 500 gph pondmaster pump that runs a biofilter and the little fountain. There are a bunch of rosie red minnows in there and some mosquito fish and some sort of weedy plant stuff that I got at a pond shop. There was a pretty pink water lily too but Spot found it amusing to snip off the lily pads below the water line so it's gone now. Obviously no grass at all has survived around the pond or where we sit under the trees and we'll have to do something about that too (I'm pretty tired of scraping mud off my sandles.) The basking rock gets direct sun from around 11:30 in the morning until around 2:00 and the rest of the time it's partially shaded.

Suggestions are welcome!

Posted: **Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:06 pm**

OMG his shell is beautiful now! I don't think I've seen an up close pic since before he shed all the white off!

Posted: **Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:11 pm**

Spot is very grateful that you admire his shell! That pic is maybe two weeks old. Since then, he's lost all but four of those "end caps" - the thick white shell pieces on the marginal scutes. It's exciting to see him progressing!

Posted: **Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:12 am**

Hey spotsmama, spot looks amazing! I remember you posted pictures a couple of months back and his shell was all white. I'm glad he shed all of that off. Very beautiful, he looks like he's at peace in that pond :wink:

Posted: **Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:28 am**

What a great summer home! Spot's a lucky guy!

Posted: **Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:16 am**

The pond and Spot look great! Very nice job on both!

Posted: **Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:39 am**

Thank you all very much. Spot has directly benefited from all the good advice on here - this time last year his shell was a real mess. Bit by bit the bad stuff has fallen off and low and behold, his healthy shell is beautiful. I think he's been subjected to just about everything that's been suggested on here to heal a shell!

Posted: **Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:48 am**

Wow the pond looks great and your yard is gorgeous! It looks so serene and relaxing. You guys must love sitting out there with Spot just enjoying the fresh air and beautiful surroundings.

Spot looks like he's enjoying his summer wonderfully!

Posted: **Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:30 pm**

Thanks David. We do love sitting by the pond and chatting and watching Spot behave like a wild turtle.

Posted: **Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:01 pm**

Wow! BEAUTIFUL! (the turtle and the pond)

Posted: **Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:28 pm**

Wow that is one of the nices outdoor pond I have ever seen.

Spot looks very happy

Posted: **Thu Jul 05, 2007 1:19 am**

Holy crap, that's one hell of an awesome setup right there. I'm green with envy!!

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:58 pm**

How beautiful he is...his shell cleaned up wonderfully!!!! Does he have a girlfriend? Does he like older women? Sheba might like to come visit his pad!!!!

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:38 pm**

I love it!

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:25 pm**

I'm sure Spotty would like to have some feminine company in his bachelor pad! His best girl so far is a rock - Sheba would probably give him a heart attack!