New to Turtle Ponds

**Elizabeth A** · 08-26-2008, 07:11 PM

I live in Arizona. I have a pond that's approximately 500 gallons. I've had goldfish in it for a few years, and so I just treated it with chemical algae remover that was safe for fish. My daughter bought two male red earred sliders a couple of months ago and after a week, decided she did not like the smell in her room. She put them in the pond. So now I am in the process of trying to convert my pond into a safe, CLEAN, environment for these little guys. I tried to seed the pond with bacteria, but without aquatic plants, the algae is taking over. A little research has taught me that there is no competition for the nutrients and that there is entirely too much sunlight. So the algae is NOT controlled. I need HELP!!! Can anyone suggest to me which aquatic plants I need to add, that won't get fried in the Arizona sun, and which plants to add to the yet unlandscaped, attached, plant bed? I need plants that will grow TALL and provide shade to the pond to help block out sunlight, but since the turtles can go into this plant bed, and I have sand there for them, I need ones that will grow well and not be poisonous to them. I was not prepared to become the mother of these two little guys, but I've got them now! I need to get them a comfortable, healthy, and safe environment in place ASAP and I have no idea how. A little help?

**Fishguy2727** · 08-26-2008, 07:34 PM

Floating plants could help a lot. I am not familiar with exactly what species are ideal for your climate, so these are general recommendations. I would try whatever is cheap and available at the LFS. Something like water hyacinth or water cabbage will float, reproduce well, and could help block the light from getting to the water (which will reduce algae growth). They will also help take up nutrients that the algae use.

I am not familar enough with terrestrial landscaping plants that would be good for you, but anything that will cast shade and is non-toxic should work.

Do you have a fence around the pond.

**Elizabeth A** · 08-26-2008, 08:43 PM

I have a flagstone wall around the pond/ planting area. My turtles are only about 4-5 inches in length. The wall is a foot, and straight up. It will work for now, but I am already looking at ways to increase the height before they grow.

Can you tell me what I need to do to keep the water conditions right? The rocks inside the pond are smooth, and I have graduated depths. There is also a waterfall that comes out over a ledge into the pond. They go under the ledge for shallow water/ shade. They go deep under a flagstone covered corner where the pump for the waterfall is located in the deep end too. I have a couple of flat rocks above the surface of the water where I leave their food, so the goldfish don't get it all. They have a graduated incline where they bask, and go on into the planter area, which I have put sand in for them. But I'm not sure about water conditions.

**smaug** · 08-26-2008, 09:46 PM

Well,where do I start.First ,you have a nitrifying bacteria in your ponds ecosystem already,even with a very good biofilter it will not be sufficient to eliminate your green water.Personally ,I use algaefix with great results and have just gone back to it recently.I stopped its use out of the hope that other things I was trying would work,they did not.(lots of plant cover,major water changes,feeding very little)Since i have started using the algaecide again my water is clear.The stuff I use is safe for everything but shrimp,even my dogs drink from the pond and I also have frogs that are doing well.Your turtles will be fine with its use as well.The only other alternative is a UV light,it is a good alternative if not a cheap one and when I expand my pond it will have one for sure.Next is this,your goldfish are a turtles favorite food and you will be experiencing some problems with that.A turtle if given a chance will take a bite out of a goldy for sure.I just want to reiterate,no amount of shading will eliminate your algae problem.Your pond sounds very nice,can you post a pic?

**Elizabeth A** · 08-27-2008, 12:49 AM

I'll try the algaefix. I had everything working great, until the turtles were introduced.

My goldfish have been there a very long time. I knew turtles ate them, and that was my first concern. However, and this is strange, the fish are as long as the turtles, and for some reason, the turtles are schooling with them????? The fish are not trying to get away from them... All of my fish are still intact. Just gonna have to wait and see what happens on this one.

**smaug** · 08-27-2008, 01:43 AM

Good luck with them.Ive always liked turtle ponds.Maybe your goldys will be ok if they are so much bigger.

**Fishguy2727** · 08-27-2008, 01:46 AM

If they are the fast, long-bodied goldfish they will probably be fine. If the turtles do not get hungry and the fish are not stressed the turtles won't put much effort in to catching them.

AlgaeFix is a great, safe product that is very effective.

Water parameters are not important at all for turtles. If the goldfish are alive it is fine for the turtles.

**Ark6ie** · 08-27-2008, 02:59 AM

i had three turtles with some smaller goldfish, they actually didnt get eaten, they all lived in the same tank for a few mths and no one lost their lives suprisingly. and agree with fishguy, if your goldies are alive your turtles should be fine.

**dustinpedley** · 09-02-2008, 09:43 PM

how big are your turts?

be careful with plants and sliders. while young your turts will be almost exclusively carnivores, once they get about 4" SCL then they do a switch over to almost exclusively plant matter. lots of adult turtles die because they get poisoned by the plants. i believe there is still a list on www.turtleforum.com of turtle safe plants.

They do love duck weed though. they can strip a tank/pond of duckweed in a short amount of time.

Also turtles like RES do require high quality water. Turtles will develop shell and eye problems if water is not kept in good order. turtles poo alot and water quality can go down hill quickly. you can use a pond filter and it will help.