Just set it up over the last few days. First try at the bottom didn't end up so good. I was trying to use some scrap plywood to make it flat since its where my yard was. I didn't think the 3 different pieces would matter but ohh they did. I also didn't put anything on the sides to see how it looked. So not liking any of it I drained the water. I have some shots of the mess here
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113807&page=3
So for the bottom I used 4 bags (200lbs) of sand to level it off and hosed it in some.
Then I lined the sides with some insulation board using some nails. This will help some in the winter since its above ground I guess. I live in Louisiana so it doesn't get too cold here. The notch in the back corner is so the pond will not overflow (I'm trying to keep turtles in it too).
I put the liner (firestone 45mil) back in and put one more row of landscaping timbers and filled her up!
I finally got to return my turtle to a pond! I have been having it for about 6~7 years since it was the size of a quarter. I had it in a pond at my last house but I had to move for work and sold my house early She had to stay in a 58 gal (3'x18"x21") for a year or sow, but now she is in the biggest pond yet!
Staring down the barrel of a gun! This is her checking out the mag 18 that will run the filter.
I really got get that top 1x8 ring on there and get her something to sun herself on! I was going to use some raw cork bark I had but she is too big and tips it over (see in the background). It will work for the smaller turtles I get but I still have to come up for something for her.
There we go now she cant get out, but I need to get some 1x6 for the side boards. I also got it all plumed up using a Tetra Pressure filter (1500) with a 9w UV. I have the water going through my favorit piece of drift wood!! Only problem is it is seeping through the wood as you can see along the back. I plan to use that seepage to water some plants in some sort of planter that I'm going to put the drift wood in.
This is the filter...plumbing is not final...wife was getting ancy for me to be finished if you know what I mean. So it will do for now. I wasn't sure how the driftwood was going to work out. I will wrap the filter in more timbers.
I also added 5 sm koi to the mix to help get it cycling. I know the turtle would probably handle it but this is how I did my last one and I wanted some fish. I have some water test kits to watch it. I cant believe I got them in this shot all lined up perfectly.
This is how the Mag18 is plumed up. I have a bushing going from 3/4" to 1 1/4" then to a T that has a 1/2" ball valve to bleed off some gph (Filter only needs 750 gph from the outflow). I also wanted some current in the pond since I have the turtles. It has a nice slight whirlpool current that helps bring the trash to the pump and and the fish love to play it in too!
