Habitat - Indoor :: New Indoor Pond Idea!

[drummerguydw]

Ok, after finding out some very useful information on filters/tank size/ect. I am thinking of making an indoor stock tank pond for my 2 res (Mushi and Tolee). Here is the idea I came up with in an easy to read diagram of my design. Any suggestions on how to improve it or to save costs or just to add to the positive visual appeal would be great, or just comments on what you think.


Also, I am looking for some heater and filter recommendations, and how high I would need to make the wall of the frame to prevent them from climbing out (they are 2 1/2 and 3 inches now). Thanks
Mike

[yomama]

that would be great! I dunno about any recommendations xD sorry cuz
im new at this too but the pond looks great so far!

[myahs_mommy]

Your design is awsome, I am getting ready to do something like that myself with a 110 gallon stock tank. I was going to put reptile carpet down in place of substrate.

[hdaisog]

I am about 1/2 way through creating something very similar for my turts, but I'm doing a 300 gallon tank. I'm going to try using two XP3s for filtration, but I haven't tried it yet so I don't know if it will be enough. For the heater I have is a 500 Watt Pacific Coast Marine Titanium Heater Model GX500. It was only $40 online. I am going to create a heater guard for it with PVC. I haven't tried this heater yet.

For the fencing around it I would do at least a foot of material that they can't climb. I saw a utube video where a turtle climbed a chain link fence. I don't know what I'm going to use yet. I also have to worry about keeping dogs and cats out of it.

[drummerguydw]

Thanks guys, a foot above sounds good, I have little 5 pound papillons so they cant get into it. So it will be 3 feet high anyway, for 100 gallons, would I need something like a 400w heater? or less/more. Also, I was looking at pond filters, the ones that sit on the bottom and have the little spout thing that comes up, I found some that are said to be for 300 gallon+ ponds, so I was wondering if those would be sufficient, I think they're called pondmaster. Also, with the heater, does it get that hot that I would need to make a guard for it? or it that basically just kinda extra. thanks again

[BullDog]

That's a very cool design! Be sure to post pics when you're done!

For the heater, depending on the average air temp around the tank, you could get away with a 300 watt (I don't think I've seen a 400 w). If the air temp around the tank is significantly cooler than the water temp, you might want to consider two heaters, one on each side. I have a 300 watt in each of my tanks, and they don't get too hot. I've even accidentally moved one around before I realized it was on. The heat disperses very quickly through the water. However, if you're concerned about it, I've heard of making a heater guard with a piece of PVC pipe with lots of holes drilled into it.

I don't know anything about pond filters, but I have a fluval FX5 in my 90 gallon that I love! A 100 gallon stock tank would be a good candidate for the FX5. Just remember that with canister filters, the water level needs to be above the filter, the higher the better. A foot should off the ground should be OK. I have my tank at about 18" (2 cinder blocks high).

[erinemcgreevy]

My only suggestion would be to go bigger. If you make it about 250g your turtles would be set for life, which will save you time and money in the long run.

[drummerguydw]

well, the top of the water will be about 2 feet off the ground, and the bottom will be about 4 inches off the ground. So, I'm thinking that may be too low for a good canister filter to work well.

[hdaisog]

There are 300 and 500 watt heaters on this site http://www.coralreefsupply.com/index.ph ... eaters_pcm

I was going to do the guard to protect the heater from the turtles. I have two females that enjoy tearing stuff up. I have to cover all cords with pvc too.

The pond filter might work, but all the ones I looked at were more for filtering out large stuff like leaves and such and keeping the water circulating. I couldn't find any that would filter the water very well for messy turtles. I'd be interested to know if the pond filters work for you though.


For someone that has actually done this go to:

http://www.turtletimes.com/forums/

Select the Indoor Setups.

At the top part there are pinned messages. Look at the SNAPPER TALES Parts 1 through 3.

[hdaisog]

I would go as big as you can too. The 300 gallon stock tank I bought was only $165. This is where I got it: http://www.stockyardsupply.com/page11/index2.html
but I live near them and was able to pick it up.

[drummerguydw]

just curious, how high would the water level have to be above the top of the canister for a good canister filter to work well? They look like they would work but I would need to see how high I would need the tank elevated.

[BullDog]

My FX5 manual says the FILTER LID needs to be at least 7.8" (20 cm) below the water line.
The on-line dimensions say the filter is 17" (43 cm) tall.

So basically, you need your water level to be at least 25" off the ground. I'm not sure how high your stock tank is or how high you were going to do the water, but you shouldn't need to have it raised too much.
However, the higher your water is above the filter, the more efficient the filter is.