Author Topic: Turtles are happy and lillies are blooming (Read 2715 times)

Jerry · « **on:** April 22, 2009, 09:53:18 PM »

All is right with this little world.

Julles · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2009, 05:32:16 AM »

The Land of Enchantment.

andi_mn · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:50:30 AM »

i am moved to write....that is just so beautiful, it made me smile. thanks, andi

Kat · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2009, 07:01:26 AM »

Jerry · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2009, 07:48:18 AM »

Notice my vivid lillies?

Joyce · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2009, 07:58:10 AM »

Very bright lilies Jerry.

Glad the turtles and fish are getting along!

Jerry · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:11:05 AM »

i was kidding about the lillies. I have white, white, white. A colorado is on the way!!
TY Tink!

marla · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2009, 02:38:27 PM »

Jerry, your pics are sooooo coool. Nice to see them all living so nice together. I've been in DC babysitting grandkids and doing a little sight seeing since the 16th, and am soooo missing my pond and fish, your pictures helped to cure my longing for the sound of water. Actually the house 2 down from my daughters has a pond, I can see it from the deck, I'd love to go over but have yet to have a chance when I see someone home.

Double S · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2009, 03:32:23 PM »

Very nice! Things are just now starting to wake up here.

sooks · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2009, 07:35:11 PM »

I had no idea you could put turtles with fish. I thought the turtles would eat the fish? Can someone clarify? How big do the turtles get?

Jerry · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:41:05 PM »

Id guess they are close to full grown I think about 10 inches
They do not eat the fish, at least not that I've seen. Ishoud say mine don't eat fish. yeah it sounds wierd but it's 5 years now, id have noticed.

jax · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:14:20 AM »

I'll be glad when my plants get going again for the season. Only thing green in there so far are the iris. Your picture looks tranquil.

bunny56lbc · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:10:55 PM »

Looking good

bonnie

landey1230 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2009, 08:00:53 AM »

Nice pix, Jerry. I notice more and more people are coming back. I'm glad spring is here.

iriscottage · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:37:59 PM »

Hey I want turtles too! Do you feed them and what? Do you have something for them to climb out of the water on to? Tell me please!!

Jerry · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2009, 07:54:25 AM »

I feed them fish food. Once in a while a treat like fruit.

Dale D · « **Reply #16 on:** May 03, 2009, 09:16:53 PM »

Weather or not a turtle will go after fish will depend on the species and how old it is.
Most aquatic turtles are mainly herbivores as adults.
I have about 8 or 9 different species of turtles in tanks with fish and they all leave the fish alone
but it would not surprise me if I woke up one day and some of the fish were missing. :'(
They are pretty lazy so as long as you provide them with a different easily available source
of food they will usually leave the fish alone.

I can't believe your red eared sliders leave your plants alone.

In a couple of hours mine would have that pond looking like you put the plants through a wood chipper

If anyone is interested in getting a red eared slider for there pond please get it from a reptile rescue and not from a pet store. There are so many unwanted ones out there looking for homes. :'(

I got into ponding last year when I built my pond to house some of my turtles during the summer.

If you do get a turtle make sure the pond area is escape proof, as they tend to wander off if you give them a chance.
Here is a picture of some of mine from last year.

Jerry · « **Reply #17 on:** May 03, 2009, 09:54:53 PM »

Oh I do have Lillie stems cut all the time. I figure they do this in the wild too. So i just give them lots of lillies and let nature take it's course.
Nice photo!!

Dale D · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03, 2009, 10:19:13 PM »

I have some turtles in a planted tank in my house and they were OK as hatchlings

, but now as they get bigger I am finding lily pads and other plants sniped off and floating around. $:-\$

When the lily and water lettuce in my tank get out of control I prune off some of the stems and pads and feed them to the turtles in my other tanks. They love them.

Jerry · « **Reply #19 on:** May 03, 2009, 10:31:11 PM »

I never see the little "V" cuts in pads as I am supposed to. Seems mine like the stems only.
The pads go to thr skimmer basket and slow down the water flow.

Mikey · « **Reply #20 on:** May 04, 2009, 09:03:13 AM »

Not fair Jerry..... My two turtles all but destroyed my lilies last year and yet your plants thrive....... I had 8 mature lilies vs 2 mature red eared sliders......the sliders one. Both turtles are now gone and the hardy lilies are putting out pads to see if it's safe. I'm still waiting for my tropicals to show...

Jerry · « **Reply #21 on:** May 04, 2009, 09:44:44 AM »

No Idea why Mike.

Sean will be here in a few days. I will be glad to have a mini party here.
Mike W. may have plans, either way is fine.

Mikey · « **Reply #22 on:** May 04, 2009, 11:18:56 AM »

If you have a mini party does that mean I will have to wear some mini shorts and the fetching one wear a mini skirt? The world is not ready yet to see me in mini shorts....

Jerry · « **Reply #23 on:** May 04, 2009, 02:37:05 PM »

I wear them and so what?
I commented to the wife how nice The Fetching one looked on the fave car thread. She repied "She still is!"

frloplady · « **Reply #24 on:** May 08, 2009, 10:03:37 AM »

Quote from: Dale D on May 03, 2009, 09:16:53 PM

I got into ponding last year when I built my pond to house some of my turtles during the summer.
If you do get a turtle make sure the pond area is escape proof, as they tend to wander off if you give them a chance.
Here is a picture of some of mine from last year.

Dale can you start a thread (or is there one) on how you made the pond turtle proof? Tommy Turtle would really appreciate an outdoor pond this year, but I worry about him getting away. He is in a 35 gallon tank in the house but he's pushing over 4" and he is going to need something bigger. Figured if I can put him out this summer it gives me time to figure out what to do with him this winter!

Dale D · « **Reply #25 on:** May 08, 2009, 04:02:38 PM »

This is what is happening to my nice lily.

On the the other side of the tank is one that is about 5 times bigger than this one and they leave it alone. (for now anyways)

Dale D · « **Reply #26 on:** May 08, 2009, 04:29:11 PM »

Quote from: frloplady on May 08, 2009, 10:03:37 AM

Dale can you start a thread (or is there one) on how you made the pond turtle proof?

Sure.

The pond is made of 4X6 timbers and is dug down about 2' into the ground. About 4' total depth.
On top of the timbers is a 1x4 that holds the liner in place. On top of that is a 2x8 around the outside.
The 2x8 is hanging over the inside of the pond by a couple of inches. The water in the pond is kept down a couple inches also.
They can't reach up and get a "handhold" on the wood edge to pull themselves up and out.
I don't think most people realize how well turtles can climb if they can get their little claws on something to pull themselves up.

Not very natural looking, but, it does the job.

This was last year when it was first started and was going through the green water phase.

frloplady · « **Reply #27 on:** May 08, 2009, 09:28:49 PM »

Dale that is perfect! I've never seen anyone use an 2x8 on top with an overhang like that. Makes sense they can't get out. I do realize how well the buggers can climb! That is a great set up and it gives me some great ideas on what I can do for Tommy!

Jerry · « **Reply #28 on:** May 08, 2009, 10:31:07 PM »

Very well done. Escape proof too.. If my plants were damaged as in your photo Id have to make changes. Why mine are relatively unscathed is a mystery

Dale D · « **Reply #29 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:13:12 PM »

It just depends on the individual turtle. $:-\$
I have some that will not touch plants and others that just go crazy on them.