NJ winters and ponds (with critters)

Dangerdoll

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Aug 27, 2002
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Roselle Park, NJ
aquariacentral.com
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Cori
my other sister started her own pond this year, I believe she said it was 90 gallon plastic bin..... in this pond she has 2 turtles (1 red-eared slider, and 1 painted) that she put in at about May. There is no gravel on the bottom of the pond nor rocks........I asked her if she'll be taking the turtles in for the winter and she said she didn't think she needed to.... that she bought a heater for the pond and she was going to get plexiglass for the top..... I told her the heater doesn't really function like an aquarium heater and that it simply keeps a section of the water unfrozen for whatever's there......and as for the plexiglass that I've never heard of...... it could cut off the airsupply into the pond and that she really doesn't need the plexiglass........ and that the turtles will need some kind of mud or media in order to hibernate.... or else brig them in.... did I advise her correctly? Have any of you pond owners who experience frigid temps over the winter do any of the things she mentioned? What would your advice be?
 
I bring my turtles in and am fairly new with them, so I am not sure. The painted has a more northern range than the RES, but I believe they both can hibernate if they do not freeze solid. The best turtle info. I have found on the web is

www.turtleforum.com

Great bunch of folks there, kind of like here. I'll post your question there.

Here is the link.

http://www.turtleforum.com/forum/upload/index.php?showtopic=27702
 
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thanks shiejr, I've pretty much convinced her to bring the little buggers in at the advice at another forum (www.turtletimes.com) and they told me I should bring them in or the chances are pretty good that they will die due to there being no mud or media on the bottom of the pond (especially the RES due to him being non-native to this area). Thanks for posting to that forum, I appreciate that, I'd be interested in hearing what they have to say as well. :)
 
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