PLEASE NOTE
The information on the BambooZoo site is as much as 10 years old and in the hobby much has been learned. Though, I believe there is merit in keeping the site open. There are many controversial issues presented in these pages. Please view BambooZoo as a starting point in your research.
These beings are as complicated as we are and deserve more than a basic 5 paragraph care sheet to maintain their health and well being.
My passion has changed. This is where I am today. Change the World.
THE TURTLE POND
THE POND
The pond is a 125 gallon preformed. The pump is rated for 260 g. There is a large box filter (as seen in the last picture.) The back area, approximately 2 square feet is lighted with a Mercury/Vapour bulb. The pump is a Laguna 1000.
THE ESCAPEES
With the exception of the Berber Skinks, who prefer under the fridge as their jail break hide out, the escapees usually manage to find their way to the the pond area. Everything they need is present, UVB, heat, food and water. This little Cuban was easily captured.
Unlike our current escapee, a spiny tailed iguana. This one will be a challenge. As one of the smaller iguana species he is very wary and quick. She will make a dive for cover if I am within 6 feet. She is capable of living on her own without worry in the environment. I am just hoping to get lucky and catch her off guard.
MAINTENANCE
The pump needs to be taken apart and cleaned once a month. The box filter every 10 to 12 weeks. Evaporated water replaced weekly ~ 10 gallons (which I do with a watering can). Because I replace a small amount of the water in comparison to the amount it holds I do not use water conditioner, without any ill effects. (That was the practice for a few months but I have gone back to using conditioner....perhaps it had something to do with discovering I have 5 gallons of the stuff!) Twice a month I put in the recommended amount of waste removing product, adding about 1/3 more than recommended simply because of the number of inhabitants, and those inhabitants being turtles. About once a year I tear it down completely using a python. I have also added 3 tablespoons of aquarium salt as an extra deterrant to bacterial growth.
FEEDING
I use a variety of food items. Large koi pellets are eaten readily by the turtles and pollute the water less. I feed all kinds of salad items as I have prepared for the other house inhabitants. (dandelion, kale, muslix mix, leaf, various fruits, duck weed when in season at the pond/pet shops, clover). Chicken and shrimp are favoured by all. I feed a vitamin supplement on dry land on meal and compost worms. In the fall when the gardening centers are closing down I pilfer their remaining duck weed. It doesnt last long...a day or 2 at most. I think this year I am going to try and grow a supply of duck week through the summer months. It is a favourite of both the turtles and the fish.
CHANGES AUGUST 'O8
I rearranged the pond area for 3 reasons: the smallest turtles were not getting enough basking as the lights being trained on the rocks in the back was too far away for them to feel safe, second, the bridge has about had it and is falling apart and third, I managed to pick up a Laguna 1500 and biofilter. Previously, the pond was running on a Laguna 500. With filtration for turtles bigger is always better. I have to purchase the correct hosing to set up the biofilter. In the meantime, I have had to contain the filter within the bio box because the flow from it blows the fish out of the water!
The bricks are temporary. The bio box will be located in their place once I have the hosing.
RED EARED SLIDERS ~ KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO
