Water depth

Wyrd · 03-04-2009, 03:56 PM

What would be the optimum water depth needed for a slider?

I would really like one so trying to sort out a suitable enclosure for when I get one, it will be a raised pond outdoors, as its summer, and will be brought in during the winter.

Tappers · 03-04-2009, 04:42 PM

I guess the factors to bear in mind are all related to volume. The more water you have, the more stable the temperature and water quality will be. If you had a two foot depth it would be twice the volume of a foot deep pond for exactly the same footprint.

I would say aim for at least two feet and make sure the bottom foot is below soil level to provide stable temperatures. If it means you dig down a foot and raise the sides two feet then you have a lovely volume of water to dilute all that turtle waste. Shallow ponds warm up faster but tend to suffer more algae blooms as well.

You may find that if you have three feet of water and insulated side walls, your slider can overwinter outdoors.

Wyrd · 03-04-2009, 05:23 PM

Thanks.

I didn't really want to dig down as I want to take the pond with me when I move, a 3 foot above ground pond might be a big too high?

Tappers · 03-04-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyrd

Thanks.

I didn't really want to dig down as I want to take the pond with me when I move, a 3 foot above ground pond might be a big too high?

Probably easier to view at waist height and less digging. What were you planning to build it out of? The trouble is that shallow raised ponds in a sunny position can get very warm (if we have a decent summer!).

Wyrd · 03-04-2009, 06:47 PM

Haven't fully decided yet, but have seen some lovely wooden ponds on ebay that would match in nicely with my torts enclosure, so may be swayed by one of them, or build something similar

tomcat · 20-04-2009, 02:38 PM

If the pond is deep enough (3' +) then the turt will actually hibernate during winter, provided that it is of the correct weight etc.

Laraine · 21-04-2009, 10:13 AM

You could dig down about 18 inches and have 18 inches to 2ft raised sides, that way you dont have the massive amount of soil to get rid of with excavating the whole amount.

Wyrd · 22-04-2009, 10:47 AM

My pond is raised 2ft off the ground at the moment, I have dug down about 6 inches, but will get my shovel later and dig down some more before we get the liner.

03-04-2009, 03:56 PM	#1
Wyrd Member Egg Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 86	Water depth What would be the optimum water depth needed for a slider? I would really like one so trying to sort out a suitable enclosure for when I get one, it will be a raised pond outdoors, as its summer, and will be brought in during the winter.

20-04-2009, 02:38 PM	#6
tomcat Member Incubating Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: West Midlands Posts: 230	If the pond is deep enough (3' +) then the turt will actually hibernate during winter, provided that it is of the correct weight etc. __________________ 1.1 Hermanns - Betty & Turbo 1.1 Breeding redfoots - Narky & Peanut 0.1 Chocolate African Pygmy Hedgehog - Madame Cholet

21-04-2009, 10:13 AM	#7
Laraine Senior Member Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wirral Posts: 3,622	You could dig down about 18 inches and have 18 inches to 2ft raised sides, that way you dont have the massive amount of soil to get rid of with excavating the whole amount. __________________ Laraine ________________________

03-04-2009, 04:42 PM	#2
Tappers Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Worcestershire Posts: 129	I guess the factors to bear in mind are all related to volume. The more water you have, the more stable the temperature and water quality will be. If you had a two foot depth it would be twice the volume of a foot deep pond for exactly the same footprint. I would say aim for at least two feet and make sure the bottom foot is below soil level to provide stable temperatures. If it means you dig down a foot and raise the sides two feet then you have a lovely volume of water to dilute all that turtle waste. Shallow ponds warm up faster but tend to suffer more algae blooms as well. You may find that if you have three feet of water and insulated side walls, your slider can overwinter outdoors.

03-04-2009, 05:23 PM	#3
Wyrd Member Egg Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 86	Thanks. I didn't really want to dig down as I want to take the pond with me when I move, a 3 foot above ground pond might be a big too high?

03-04-2009, 06:47 PM	#5
Wyrd Member Egg Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 86	Haven't fully decided yet, but have seen some lovely wooden ponds on ebay that would match in nicely with my torts enclosure, so may be swayed by one of them, or build something similar

22-04-2009, 10:47 AM	#8
Wyrd Member Egg Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 86	My pond is raised 2ft off the ground at the moment, I have dug down about 6 inches, but will get my shovel later and dig down some more before we get the liner.

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