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My parents invested expensive landscaping for our new backyard/home in San Bernardino county, California, which is anywhere from 45°F (January) and 95°F (August) with 15 inch of rain per year. I don't have the exact measurements or gallons of the new pond yet, my dad estimates 400 gallons water. I've owned three 6ish-inch turtles for 1 yr 7 mos while a small 3ish-inch 1 yr 4 mos- which will stay in the 45-gallon indoor tank till it's safe to put outside.

The pond uses a simple filter where you empty a basket like in a swimming pool. I mainly need a water heater and algae control for now. There is a temporary basking plank and some surrounding rocks. The rocks are a bit steep for their size now but they should be able to climb a few inches out the water to dry off. There seems to be no predator possibilities in the surrounding neighborhood.

This will be the first time the three turtles will be living in our backyard so I will make sure their transition is safe and smooth. Afterwards, they should be best there since there's more room and it's a more natural environment.

Any suggestions?

Most people wait till april I think to allow their turtles to go back into their ponds. I really think it's a poor idea to have them in their year round, even in places where we live (I'm in san diego). I think they'd be fine in their from April or May to October. Just keep their indoor enclosure handy for the winter.

As far as the filter, if it's just a debree collection basket and then the water is shot back out the waterfall, there won't be much chemical control in the water. Fountains like that are commonly used in swimming pools. Since your turtles will be producing alot of waste, I think it's nessisary to have some other kind of filtration, primarily biological.

I stayed kind of vague because I'm not sure what specifically you need. I know that outdoor ponds use what's called a skippy filter. Which can be home made and is a priceless asset to keeping the water clean.

Take it away experts!

what are the temps? cali is usually on the warmer side, though with that arctic weather i don't know.

i love that pond, though. so gorgeous *bes jealous*

That looks wonderful.

Does the sun shine on the basking spot during the day? will they have a place to hide (ie plants?)

I think Velvet alley is right about the filtration, though I don't know how to help you with that.

We're all jealous.

Neat structure! I don't think I've seen one like it before. The turtles will love it!

I see that there's exposed concrete and some stone in the water. Is there any chance that little stones or pieces of concrete can come loose that your turtles could swallow? These could be dangerous for the turtles in the same way that gravel is in an indoor tank - they could cause impaction and internal injury.

The other question I'd have is about chemicals or toxins in the water from the building materials. I wonder if something could leach out of the water from the concrete, for example. I'm especially curious about this because I've got a very similar situation here. We've got a new outdoor pond too and are planning to put our turtle out in it when it gets warm enough. The water was supposed to be contained within a plastic liner but the guy that built it did something unexpected and now there is a band of concrete and stone that's exposed to the water. I've had minnows living in the water since last fall and since they're able to survive, I'm taking it as a good sign. Also, I'm going to have the water tested for toxins by the company that tests water quality for the city, just to be sure there's nothing really bad lurking in it. If it turns out it's contaminated, I don't know what we're going to do!

On filtration, you can use a UV steralizer for algae control if it gets to be a problem. They cost about $100.

Otherwise, like they said above be sure the turtles can always get to a shady spot, and that their basking area gets good sun every day.

Good luck! Why don't you let us know how it turns out, and post some photos of the turtles in their new pond?

It looks nice! I do think that could easily escape out of there if they had the chance.

Could you take a picture of the filter just for curiosity?

That looks awesome beyond words! Your turts will LOVE it.

Yeah man they are going to enjoy in there. Your arrangement is great. Do post the pics of your Turts enjoying in there.
I have got one suggestion, try putting something like steel net on the structure, as to avoid any danger from birds or predators or some chance of escaping when you arent around.

Thank you everyone for all your responses. I probably won't let the turtles swim there till April since it's still really cold as is. The most affordable, reliable heater (submersible) I've found at Petsmart is 400 watts for about 100 gallons at $35-45ish, so I'll research more.

I plan to add biological and chemical filteration to the basic filter, as well as making sure the water itself is safe with the new constuction that it is. My dad estimates that it is about 400 gallons water. As soon as I have more pictures, I'll have them up.