Habitat - Indoor :: Advice Please!

[phantom_shadow1989]

Apples is has not out grown his tank yet, but I have been looking for a permanent home when he does. This way I do not have to rush at the last minute. My aunt has a preformed pond that she is not longer using and is letting me have. What would be the best way to set it up for him? Would that be ok for an indoor turtle? If there is anything you can think of to help me I would be grateful?

[steve]

First, you need to confirm the gender of your turtle. Preformed ponds are usually kind of small. Do you know how big it is? Is this the kind of setup you want (it can definitely be used indoors)? Are you on a budget for this project?

[Kansasslider]

Preformed ponds are usually thin compared to stock tanks and would require bracing. When used outside they are set in sand with sand around them for support. Stock tanks and performed ponds make great homes for indoor turtles.

[phantom_shadow1989]

Apples is a boy. He has a long thick tall, long front claws, his whole is no where near his shell, and he has a narrow head. The pond is about 90 to 100 gallons and he will have a basking area above it. I am looking for something he can be comfortable and have some thing to do it. I was thinking possibly some smooth rocks and water plants to start with. As for budget I can pick things up as I go since he has not out grown his current home yet. Parts of his current home will be going into the new one.

[steve]

Sounds pretty good! LIke Kansasslider said, you will need to add support to a preformed pond but it's not a difficult thing to arrange but in most of these cases, the basking area is not above but to the side or all around. This is perfectly fine and looks pretty good.

Check out this article: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/smpond.html (though I think you have more options for filtration)

[Kansasslider]

That's funny Steve. I was also going to post that link. Its great for someone considering building an indoor pond. I'm getting ready to build one for my Diamondbacks. Can you make that link a sticky under Indoor Habitat?

[steve]

Can't wait to see it! Too bad they don't make larger ones. Do a build thread please

[Kansasslider]

Will do. You know me I like to take pictures. I was editing when you posted so I will ask again. Can you make that link a sticky under Indoor Habitat?

[steve]

I still want to re-organize some of those stickys and update the main sections on the site. If I gather enough 3rd party links, I'll like to put that together in a sticky.

[Kansasslider]

Sounds good.