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Which do you think is a better choice for an outdoor turtle habitat- a stock tank or a preformed pond liner?

Stock tanks are less expensive, but I think I like the water distribution of the preformed liners better- they have shallow parts and deep parts, and tend to be wider, whereas the stock tank is deep all over and usually deeper than the pond liner.

Thoughts?

Would you keep the stock tank completely above ground?

Either way, with the stock tank or preformed pond liner, I would probably put it partially in-ground, because I am short, but not entirely in-ground. I would like to do something similar to what fric has done, and surround it with landscaping rock.

With my height, a stock tank aboveground would be too tall for me to look into it sitting down

A preformed pond would need support on its bottom which may require a lot of extra work if it were above or partially in-ground. The largest depth of MacCourt ponds are up to 2 feet and may be sufficient enough. Plus there are ways to extend the pond but that may prove difficult if any of the pond is above ground. Plus, will your turtle be able to access the land area around the pond? Did Fric post any pics?

Some stock tanks have built-in drains which will make it easier when it comes to cleaning.

Fric sent me pics- she stacked landscaping rocks around her pondform and made a retaining wall, that supports it. So, it didn't need to be below-ground.

No, my turtle won't access the land area around the pond; instead he will have basking areas inside the pond.If I go with a stock tank, I will go for 300 gallons, eventually, although I might start with a 100 gallon just to get him into something bigger this summer.

Reptilegrrl, have you seen this site? http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/smpond.html