Habitat - Outdoor :: California Koi Pond

[scriabin]

I've been trying to find a new home for Althea because she has been biting Terra ... so far the best offer I've gotten is from a gentleman with a Koi pond.

Can anyone speak to how RES do in ponds in Southern California during the winter? Temps here get down into the 40s at night in January. Still, I've seen adult RES living in ponds at the local arboretum and even college campuses.

My other concern is that she's just a 4" turtle and I'd worry about her getting lost in that giant pond with all those giant fish, finding enough to eat, etc...

What does everyone think?

Thanks!

Jonathan

[untsmurf]

JohnQguy has a huge pond with a bunch of turtles in it. If you don't get an answer you could PM him/her. He/she runs a turtle rescue, so I'm sure they would be more than willing to help.

[HomerJTurtle]

I have 3 Koi and 3 RES in a 7'x4' pond and they all get along fairly well. My biggest turtle Homer, likes to chase around one of the koi but, he has always done that. My koi are about 1' each.

[Linus]

I live in L.A. county and I have a pond with an adult RES. She was put in their when she was like 3" and did just fine over the winter.

[johnQguy]

Can anyone speak to how RES do in ponds in Southern California during the winter? Temps here get down into the 40s at night in January. Still, I've seen adult RES living in ponds at the local arboretum and even college campuses.

Hi Jonathan!

Our outdoor pond is in San Diego and yes, the winters here get cold enough that if the water is not heated (we shoot for 69°), then the turtles that are not as healthy can tend to get sick easily.

My other concern is that she's just a 4" turtle and I'd worry about her getting lost in that giant pond with all those giant fish, finding enough to eat, etc...

That's a problem if there is no food supply. If you can get Althea to us in San Diego, we'll be more than happy to add her to our pond. And feed her!

[scriabin]

Thanks JohnQguy - I've since found a home for Althea but might like to have my own pond some day. Are you saying you actually heat your pond?

[johnQguy]

Are you saying you actually heat your pond?

Only when it gets really cold. I have a transportable 1000W Koi Pond heater.

[Linus]

How much did that cost ya?

[johnQguy]

Over $300.

[Linus]

Oh yay!

I have to get a heater for a 125 G pond, how much do you think that'll cost me?

[johnQguy]

You can start with a 500W de-icer for less than $100, but they do not maintain a preset temperature and are designed just to keep a hole on top of frozen ponds. For California winters, it might heat up the water enough.

It takes 1000W of power to raise 250G 10°... so use that as you search. Google [Shopping] search "500W Pond Heater".

[Linus]

Ok, thanx!