Habitat - Outdoor :: Heating 300 gal and 220 gal pond in CA

[mel236]

I have 6 RES now and live in Central CA. They are all at least 5 years old. I know many who live in areas that freeze will use a pond de-icer but I want to heat the pond enough to keep them from hibernating and bringing them indoors is not an option. I have looked on the forum for heater advice, and most seem to be for pond de-icers. I did see a good link for a pond heater but I was unable to determine if the heater is any danger to the turts, meaning they need some cover of some sort in the water so the turts do not get burned. The de-icers and heaters I've seen are also set to come on just above freezing and I'd prefer having one that I can set to keep the temp around 55-60.
I have heat lamps they use in winter to let them bask but the water is just too cold in my opinion.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Melanie

[steve]

Why would you only want to keep the temps around 60? If possible, it should be raised to around 75 and you can use standard fully submersible water heaters for that. You might have to consider covering part of the tank to retain the warmth.

[mel236]

I would be happy to keep it at 75 - I just need info on what products will do that.
Do you have any suggestions?

[Celenac1]

I bought 2 last year for my (2) 110 gallon outdoor ponds. I really like them. I didn't want glass. I put them in in November and take them out in the spring.

Pro Heat Unbreakable Titanium IC Aquarium Heater (w/ Remote), Size: 500 Watt

website Foryourfish.com
(http://www.foryourfish.com)

[mel236]

How cold does it get there?
I am just wondering about it burning out if it gets too cold. We usually don't get below 30 - I'm in Central CA
Do your turts still get really sluggish?

[Celenac1]

We have warm days and cool days, it will get around 30 for a day or two a few times a year. I like the heaters beacuse they have a gauge I set at 72 and the heaters shut off if its a warm day.
I take my turtles out daily on good days, but on the cold ones I leave them in, they really dont' seem to get sluggish or lose their appetites (they are seven).