Hi All,
Been lurking for a while as I've been gathering knowledge on keeping turtles.
Currently have a Murray river short neck, approx 8 years old (yes, we're licensed).
Had him from a few weeks old.
Kept in a 4ft fish tank indoors for most of his life, but have now built an outdoor pond.
Pond is 800L (2.3m x 1.3m x 0.6m) and is surrounded by soil to help control temp fluctuations.
Contains some feeder fish as well as 5 large gold fish (20 cm comets) that are too quick for him to catch. In addition to the feeders (guppies) we also give him floating pellets and live meal worms every 2-3 days outside of his brumation period.
There are two submerged water based plants in pots. The base of the pond is smooth river pebble.
It has a floating dock allowing him to bask and go for a wander if he chooses.
The length of the enclosure would be around 6 metres.
Filtration consists of a 3000 L/H pump and a 25 litre cannister filter with UV light.
Doing 10-15% water change & vacuum weekly during the hotter months. Once a month during winter.
Have covered the pond with school fence mesh.
Also use shade cloth over the summer months as it gets hot out in Penrith.
Just after any suggestions that I may not have thought of.
Been lurking for a while as I've been gathering knowledge on keeping turtles.
Currently have a Murray river short neck, approx 8 years old (yes, we're licensed).
Had him from a few weeks old.
Kept in a 4ft fish tank indoors for most of his life, but have now built an outdoor pond.
Pond is 800L (2.3m x 1.3m x 0.6m) and is surrounded by soil to help control temp fluctuations.
Contains some feeder fish as well as 5 large gold fish (20 cm comets) that are too quick for him to catch. In addition to the feeders (guppies) we also give him floating pellets and live meal worms every 2-3 days outside of his brumation period.
There are two submerged water based plants in pots. The base of the pond is smooth river pebble.
It has a floating dock allowing him to bask and go for a wander if he chooses.
The length of the enclosure would be around 6 metres.
Filtration consists of a 3000 L/H pump and a 25 litre cannister filter with UV light.
Doing 10-15% water change & vacuum weekly during the hotter months. Once a month during winter.
Have covered the pond with school fence mesh.
Also use shade cloth over the summer months as it gets hot out in Penrith.
Just after any suggestions that I may not have thought of.
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