Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 9:10 am Re: Outdoor pond should I heat in winter
Hello and welcome ,
Is it buried in ground ? If so what is your freeze line and or what climate zone you live in ? What is the deepest spot ? If above ground 200 gallons will react fast to the temps. I tried it above ground here in the south, used a sealed wall insulation around the outside and two 300 watt Eheim heaters ( both on just in case one went out ) also made a closed in spar accessible from only under water and watched every day. Depending on where you live it could work. May need a commercial heater and or deicer?
Most reading's will tell you do not let a captive turtle hibernate/ brumate ! We can never duplicate what nature offers a turtle fully to be safe.
You may want a simple container for indoors to over winter.
To "me" 55* is already too cold for a captive turtle , may want to decide soon. It's your call.