Saltwater Pond?

[kvmadewell <turtleluv@attbi.com>]

I am getting a rehabbed adult female wc northern in a few weeks and am going to put a pond for her and I was told that since she is a wc she must have a saltwater habitat. I live in northern Indiana and want to put her in an outdoor pond since she is large. So, my question is this: how do I maintain an outdoor saltwater pond? How important is it that the salinity remain at a contant? I mean if it rains and it overflows and becomes “watered down”? Will that affect her? Any information regarding diamondbacks and ponds is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Kara

[Todd Stockwell]

I’m not sure if any of our members have related successfully maintaining an outside brackish pond. I only remember Jason relating that he was wanting to shift back towards fresh water for his outside ponds to allow for more plant filtration and easier maintenance. Is anyone keeping outside brackish ponds for their dbts? Kara – I keep dbts in central Indiana. I would be glad to exchange more info. with you offlist if you are interested since we are in the same region. Todd at oxdrover2002@… “kvmadewell

[Tricia M]

I think the biggest problems would be salinity swings. In the summer, you’ll have to add freshwater every day or so because of evaporation, in the rainy season you’ll have to add more salt to keep things stable– but fortunately, terps are able to handle a good amount of salinity differences (they occur in the wild too, afterall.) –Tricia — In diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.com, “kvmadewell

[kvmadewell]

This makes perfect sense and am willing to do whatever necessary to give her the home she needs. Do you know if it is possible to wein a wc into freshwater by slowly removing the salt over time and thus ending up with a freshwater terrapin? Just a thought. :o) Thanks for the reply. Kara — In diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.com, “Tricia M”

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