ecs
Hatchling
Posts: 8
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SAND
Aug 12, 2011 14:33:51 GMT
Post by ecs on Aug 12, 2011 14:33:51 GMT
This winter I thought I would put sand at the bottom of my pond which houses one Map, four Yellow Bellied and two Red Eared terrapins, to help them hibernate. Does anyone know if this is a good idea? My only concern is that the sand may get contaminated and smell even with the filter. Thanks- Martin.
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SAND
Aug 12, 2011 16:21:07 GMT
Post by wayne020668 on Aug 12, 2011 16:21:07 GMT
hello mate, the sand idea is a bad as this will help harbor alsorts of nasty things like leeches and harmful bacteria in the bottom of your pond. all pond's will have a layer of silt on the bottom where the filter cant get to it, i would recommend that you raise your filter in take by putting a couple of bricks underneath it by doing this now it will cause the bottom layer of silt to deepen before hibernation starts so the turtles will have some where to go to sleep while the filter still does its job of cleaning the water. once they wake up you can remove the bricks to let normal pond life to resume, this will give them the best protection and improve their chances greatly... also you should be feeding them up around now please see my post under "turtles in a pond" regards Wayne.
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SAND
Aug 12, 2011 22:38:01 GMT
Post by neilb on Aug 12, 2011 22:38:01 GMT
Pond design is far more important than sand in the bottom for hibernating, especially allowing for the turtles to walk rather than swim to the surface when they first wake in the spring. Depending on the type of sand, it can cause the pump problems, and as already mentioned it can harbour bacteria if not kept stirred up.
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ecs
Hatchling
Posts: 8
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SAND
Aug 13, 2011 13:57:05 GMT
Post by ecs on Aug 13, 2011 13:57:05 GMT
Thank you for your replies- will scrap the sand idea. I have a smaller shallower pond with plants that feeds into a much larger deeper pond with Koi and goldfish. The terrapins have all been living in the larger pond this summer. Last winter I kept them in the smaller pond with the heater on as I didn't think the terrapins I had at the time looked healthy enough to survive hibernation. This year they all look well fed and healthy, their colours bright and vibrant, so I'm sure they will be ready for winter. I can either leave them in the large pond this winter or put them back into the smaller pond and set the heater temperture just high enough to prevent it freezing. Also the larger pond does not have a shore that they can climb out of. What do you think? Thanks- Martin.
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