How to Build My Own Turtle Habitat Pond

Caring for aquatic turtles can be costly and timely as your pet grows larger. Some species can quickly outgrow ordinary aquariums. If this happens, an outdoor habitat pond will provide your turtle with a sufficient amount of space. The habitat pond should include enough space for your turtle to swim and bask. Attention must be given to plants, water temperature, water filtration and chemical levels to create a habitat for your aquatic turtles to thrive in.

Things You'll Need

  • Waterproof container
  • Shovel
  • Decorative stones or bricks
  • Coarse pebbles
  • Peat
  • Sand
  • Mixed gravel
  • Garden top soil
  • Aquatic plants
  • Hollow logs
  • Large flower pots
  • Pond filter and pump
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a waterproof container to serve as the basis of your in-ground pond. A child's pool, horse trough, cat litter box or preformed pool liner are all suitable for creating a habitat pond. Make sure the container is large enough for your species of aquatic turtle. Choose a location for your pond.

    • 2

      Dig a hole that is the exact shape of the container. Position the container so that the top rim extends one to two inches above ground. This will prevent debris from draining into the pond. Make sure the hole conforms to the exact shape of container or it may eventually start leaking.

    • 3

      Surround the exposed rim with decorative stones or bricks. Position them so that your turtle can climb out of the pond water and bask on top of the stones or bricks.

    • 4

      Place a one-inch layer of coarse pebbles on the bottom of the container. Create a mixture that contains 10 percent garden topsoil, 25 percent sand, 25 percent peat and 40 percent mixed gravel. Evenly spread the mixture on top of the coarse pebble layer. Add hollow logs or flowerpots placed on their sides for your turtle to hide in.

    • 5

      Fill the pond with water. Add an assortment of aquatic plants that includes both rooting and floating varieties. Water hyacinth, pondweed, duckweed, rushes, arrowhead and rushes are popular plants for turtle-habitat ponds.

    • 6

      Add a submersible pond filter and pump to your pond by following the instructions on your model. The combined filter and pump will clean the water and keep it oxygenated.

    • 7

      Let the finished habitat pond settle two to three months before keeping your turtle in it.