I’m close to getting a backyard which is one step closer to my three red ear sliders’ dream house, … a turtle pond, or what I like to call a turtle oasis!  How close they come to realizing their dream living condition depends greatly on my craftsmanship.  To get a rough idea of what I want my turtle pond to look like, I loaded up Google sketchup and viola!…

Components

My first design had used a lot more cinder blocks around the pond as walls but my wife was not too happy about that.  Considering how often she bumps into furniture, she had a valid concern.  So this is actually my second design which has a lot more wood than the first.  The frame is now entirely wood with cinder blocks only being used as the underlying foundation for the pool and dirt.  The dimensions for the pond are based around the size of the kiddie pool in the middle (which I already bought!).  The empty space around the pool will be filled with dirt and plants.

• 2 x 10 wood board
• 2 x 2 wood beams
• 54″ diameter kiddie pool
• chicken wire
• cinder blocks
• plexi-glass
• dirt
• plants (imagine foerster feather grass swaying in the breeze!  awesome!)

Features

Pond drain…

One thing I have learned in my years of experience with fish and now turtles, is that a easy way to change the water is absolutely essential.  A good filter will take you a long way but eventually the water will need to be changed either in part or in full.  Years before, I figured out that I can replace one side of my 10 gallon fish tank with plexi-glass.  This allowed me to cut a hole at the bottom and plug it with a valve (I chose an opening of a 2 liter plastic soda bottle).  It greatly increased the speed that I was able to replace the water.  Now, I hope I can apply the same concept to my pool.  I plan on cutting a hole at the bottom of the pool and attaching a valve and hose to let the water out.  The pool will be slightly raised on a layer of cinder block and gravity allow the water to be drained.

Protective fencing…

I heard that turtles can be attacked by common animals such as cats, squirrels, and birds.  Considering my turtles have always lived indoors and are most likely extremely domesticated, I doubt they have the instinct to hide if approached.  To protect them, I will need to wrap the entire pond in a protective fence, chicken wire (not pictured).

Heated pool…

This is the tricky one and will be the biggest hurdle.  I am not sure how feasible it will be to maintain my pond at a livable temperature.  If I cannot heat the pond at a reasonable cost, I may have to give up on the dream oasis completely!  Oh no!  The kiddie pool is roughly 100 gallons and I know they sell aquarium heaters that can easily handle that indoors.  It will be much colder outdoors so I am not sure if they will work.  Hopefully I can find a cost effective way to keep them warm.  Everyone has to live within their means, even my turtles.  In the worst case, I keep them in the house with a larger tank now that there is more space.  I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Sun-roof…

Well, this one is still under debate.  Does my pond really need a roof?  I think my turtles will do just fine with a bit of rain but keeping rain out will probably make heating easier.  If I do make a roof, then it would have to be glass or plexi-glass for sure.  Turtles need uv light and heat so I have to allow as much sun in as possible.

Giant Doors…

Remember the fencing?  I have to have access to the pond of course!  So the top frame of the turtle enclosure will have a set of doors bigger than my house doors!  Ok, that was an exaggeration but they will be pretty darn big.

Convertible…

So I got doors, but why stop there!  That’s right, I’m sparing no expenses** on this turtle resort.  For even more access in cases of major landscaping or pond cleaning, the entire top frame will be detachable as shown in the picture.  This will give completely 360 degree access to anything in my pond.

** Actually not true.  I will most likely be on the strictest of budgets.  Approved and audited closely by my CFO (a.k.a. my wife).

Filter…

To help conserve water, a filter is a must.  100 gallons of water is a decent amount of water so it’s important to use it for as long as possible.  I am hoping that a good filter can keep the pond clean for a couple months before a partial water change.

Cost?

I have not done a cost calculation yet but it looks like this project is going to be a few hundred bucks at the minimum.  The cost may delay this project but since I already have the kiddie pool, it’s no longer a matter of ”if” but just a matter ”when”.