Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,902
Posts557,128
Members18,452
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,422
ewest 21,475
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,112
Who's Online Now
12 members (Augie, Brett B, Boondoggle, Layne, Sunil, Angler8689, jpsdad, rjackson, esshup, jbird5986, Rick O, anthropic), 977 guests, and 209 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
K
Fingerling
OP Offline
Fingerling
K
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
I have a bunch of turtles that my girlfriend and I care for in our pond. They are always struggling to find a place to sun themselves. One day I observed one trying to climb a floating log and barely floating, I knew I would take action.

Having previously attempted an elaborate floating island with dirt and plants that ended up being a failure, I decided on using the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle. I remember seeing a design of a wood platform here, I think it was Ken's, and I used what I remembered and came up with my own idea.

I apologize for not taking a photos of it during construction of the fished product on land, but here is an idea of it in the pond:




The turtles absolutely love it and will spend most of the day there. It only took a few hours to build and the main tools I used was a circular saw and my drill/driver.

I made it all with spare materials I had laying around. I cut a piece of t111 all weather siding to 2x2. Then I took some 2x4's and cut the ends at 45 degrees, making sure the length would match 24" for the insides of the cuts. I then cut another 2x2 piece of siding and cut it in half again so I would have 2 12" piece for the side ramps.

I screwed it all together with weatherproof deck screws so it would not rust. I attached furring strips on the ramps to aid the turtles in climbing up, making sure to grind off the screws that poked trough so as not to injure any pond residents. I took some pool noodles and cut them to size and lined the whole inside of the bottom with noodle pieces. I secured the pieces in with 3 3/4" nailing strips. Which also gave me a place to tie an archor rope.

I threw it in the pond and anchored in place. The next morning it was full of turtles. At some point I will probably stain it to look nice and so it doesn't rot too much, but we will see. I did not want to use anything pressure treated in the pond.

I hope you guys like the project. Build one for your turtles, they will enjoy it.

Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Cool project!

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 2
R
RER Offline
Offline
R
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 2
cool!
Your water looks really clear, almost blueish. Do you have a die in the water or are you running an arteasian well?
Where is FL is your pond?


Goofing off is a slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected........... Wikipedia
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
J
Member
Offline
Member
J
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
I built a wood floating log for turtles some time ago and the problem I had was the wood waterlogged over time and begin to sink. Extruded polystyrene foam board used for building you see in Lowes or Menards
will last and not waterlog. The raft below has been left in the pond year around and this is starting it's 4th year. I hardened the surface with a heat gun but as you can see the turtles crape the surface off with use. A better idea would be to lay a rubber matting of some kind over the surface. The day before yesterday when we had a 60 degree day I counted three turtles on it. This morning it was below freezing. Last year I counted 11 turtles on it at one time. Frogs also like the island as do birds.

Extruded polystyrene foam board


Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099
Likes: 22
R
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame
Lunker
Offline
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame
Lunker
R
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099
Likes: 22
Very nice, John!



Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 124
Offline
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 124
Great idea! I may have to do something like this as a marker for my diffuser.

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 144
M
Junior Member
Offline
Junior Member
M
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 144
You guys are great---if I ever someplace to stay I will get you to build it for me

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
J
Member
Offline
Member
J
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
I may do this but don't make me promise. Buy a 4x8 feet Extruded polystyrene foam board 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick and cut it in half for a 4x4 square and taper the sides at a 45 degree angle. Then add black dye to the resin and hardener and lay one layer of fiberglass to the foam board. The black fiberglass will be warm as turtles like bask on. Double fiberglass a portion of one end for a rope and anchor to fasten through.


Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012
Hall of Fame
Junior Member
Offline
Hall of Fame
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012
Those turtle islands look great... congrats


1 ac pond LMB, BG, RES, CC
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 93
S
Offline
S
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 93
When I put out pallets for my FHM for spawning substrate, they eventually would sink. So my solution was to put some strips of the foam insulation in where the fork lift forks would have gone and screwed the insulation into place. Then the pallets would remain floating. Kind of a combination of what Kevin and John did. A combination of wood and floating insulation.

The baby newly hatched red ear sliders that claimed my forage pond as a home loved sunning on these structures. As well as numerous frogs. Did not think about putting any in my main pond (there is plenty of other FHM spawning areas) but might have to incorporate Kevin and John's ideas and make a specific turtle float for my main pond. Put a little ramp around making it easier for the turtles to crawl aboard.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

Attached Images
007.JPG 008.JPG 010.JPG 009.JPG

John

I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 43
A
Offline
A
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 43
Excuse my ignorance but I thought it was undesirable to have turtles in your pond.

Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Some folks are misguided on the subject of turtles, most of the time they are the pond janitor, cleanup crew



Pat

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 43
A
Offline
A
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 43
Cool. I learn something new everyday on here. So they don't eat fish?


Last edited by Arktiger; 03/24/15 01:21 PM.
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
If it is dead,dying,diseased, or just to slow then they will be eaten by turtles.

Pat

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
J
Member
Offline
Member
J
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
Turtle Island is finished. About 4 hrs. Rug $19, Foam $32, Glue $6. Total $57 not including tax. The rug is tough like a door mat. Good buy. Painted the pink ends black for looks. I used a spray paint that would eat the foam.







Last edited by John Monroe; 04/01/15 02:08 PM.

Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
John

Your turtles are lucky to have you! Looks good- send pix when they start using it

Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 144
C
Offline
C
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 144
So awesome! Thanks for taking time to share, with excellent directions on the pictures. This should help people make their own.

Did you tether it somehow or do you let it float wherever?

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
J
Member
Offline
Member
J
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
Canyoncreek I did put a small hole in the corner of the carpet and attach 550 parachute cord to an anchor. I put the island in the pond early yesterday morning when frost was on the ground and I took the picture at 1 pm when it was much warmer. This little guy looks like he just stepped on the moon. One small step for turtles and large step for turtle kind.



Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 274
D
Moderator
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Lunker
D
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 274
Only one rear leg?

Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 04/03/15 04:13 AM.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
J
Member
Offline
Member
J
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
Originally Posted By: Dave Davidson1
Only one ear leg?


I think you mean one rope and anchor.

The foam island I previously made has one line and anchor now starting 4 years old and does ok. The parachute cord has 550 lbs of breaking strength and the polypropylene carpet is very strong and has a heavy edge around the outside. Today and tonight should be a good test as we are in a severe wind and rain area so any weakness might show up.


Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Nice John
DD1
Bet he has both rear legs, when they stretch out to sun sometimes the keep one folded up in shell

Last edited by Pat Williamson; 04/02/15 09:59 AM.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
J
Member
Offline
Member
J
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
Thanks Pat for telling me what Dave ment. Boy am I show.

The turtles are liking the float. I picked up a few more today.



Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
P
Offline
P
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 184
Wonder how many can get on there at one time

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 274
D
Moderator
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Lunker
D
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 274
John, I meant one rear leg. I corrected it.


It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
J
Member
Offline
Member
J
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,105
Dave if I wasn't so slow I would have seen that right away.


Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
cro, HC1968
Recent Posts
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by Boondoggle - 03/29/24 09:00 AM
pond experience needed
by esshup - 03/29/24 08:19 AM
Can anyone ID these minnows?
by Sunil - 03/29/24 07:31 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by RogersTailgate - 03/29/24 05:45 AM
New pond middle TN: establishing food chain?
by Bill Cody - 03/28/24 07:57 PM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by FireIsHot - 03/28/24 07:33 PM
Working on a .5acre disaster, I mean pond.
by PRCS - 03/28/24 06:39 PM
Fungus infection on fish
by nvcdl - 03/28/24 06:07 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/28/24 04:48 PM
Yellow Perch Spawn 2024
by H20fwler - 03/28/24 04:29 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by LANGSTER - 03/28/24 03:49 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5