Hi Aussie reptile community!
I have a mature Murray short neck turtle who is coming up to 17 years old. I was given her as a kid and she has spent her entire life in an aquarium, and now that I finally have my own place I'd like to move her outside into a pond. I had it all planned out after a lot of googling, checking out the old AFT forums, and speaking with other owners I know and an exotic animal vet, but after reading some advice here I am second-guessing the whole thing.
I have access to a round 1.65m diameter 0.6m deep (1000L) agri trough that I was going to use as the pond liner, which was to be buried to ground level with a platform in the centre and smooth 30cm high wall around it (with overhang and mesh roof) to stop her from getting out and the local stray cats from getting in. I had thought that this would be large enough, but have seen several posts stating that 0.9m is the absolute minimum required depth and a winder pond is preferred. I am now quite nervous that mine will not be large enough to properly regulate the water temperature and might not be safe for her in the middle of summer/winter. I am in Adelaide so it approaches mid-40s in summer and low single-digits in winter, although frosts are quite uncommon. In your experience(s), do you think that moving her into this pond would be a seriously bad idea? Do you have any advice about mitigating any issues that a pond of this size would cause (eg. heating, extra shade in summer)? In a worst-case scenario I could hang on to the aquarium and bring her inside during the winter and hottest weeks in summer, or perhaps I should just abandon the project and keep her inside, which would be a shame.
I think I have everything else straight (fine river-sand substrate with some crushed limestone in the mix, pack it with val and duckweed, no rocks, turtle salts). I was advised to move her outside in spring or Autumn (will be the latter) to give her time to get used to her new home with milder weather but told otherwise that it shouldn't be a problem.
Any input would be very much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
I have a mature Murray short neck turtle who is coming up to 17 years old. I was given her as a kid and she has spent her entire life in an aquarium, and now that I finally have my own place I'd like to move her outside into a pond. I had it all planned out after a lot of googling, checking out the old AFT forums, and speaking with other owners I know and an exotic animal vet, but after reading some advice here I am second-guessing the whole thing.
I have access to a round 1.65m diameter 0.6m deep (1000L) agri trough that I was going to use as the pond liner, which was to be buried to ground level with a platform in the centre and smooth 30cm high wall around it (with overhang and mesh roof) to stop her from getting out and the local stray cats from getting in. I had thought that this would be large enough, but have seen several posts stating that 0.9m is the absolute minimum required depth and a winder pond is preferred. I am now quite nervous that mine will not be large enough to properly regulate the water temperature and might not be safe for her in the middle of summer/winter. I am in Adelaide so it approaches mid-40s in summer and low single-digits in winter, although frosts are quite uncommon. In your experience(s), do you think that moving her into this pond would be a seriously bad idea? Do you have any advice about mitigating any issues that a pond of this size would cause (eg. heating, extra shade in summer)? In a worst-case scenario I could hang on to the aquarium and bring her inside during the winter and hottest weeks in summer, or perhaps I should just abandon the project and keep her inside, which would be a shame.
I think I have everything else straight (fine river-sand substrate with some crushed limestone in the mix, pack it with val and duckweed, no rocks, turtle salts). I was advised to move her outside in spring or Autumn (will be the latter) to give her time to get used to her new home with milder weather but told otherwise that it shouldn't be a problem.
Any input would be very much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!