A new place for the mata mata: Build thread

[headbanger_jib]

I got a chelus fimbriatus nearly 2 years ago, and at 9" I feel he needs a larger enclosure than a tank, and since I live in a tropical country, an outdoor setup would be great for the turtle as well, so i planned to setup a small 6'*3'*1.5' terrace pond using a pond liner.

So I went out collected some rocks, got some driftwood.

I will be working on this only on weekends, the build will be slow, but the plan is to finish it in a month's time.

The rocks


The pond being filled up for leak test

 

[headbanger_jib]

So yesterday was a weekend and here's some progress.

Lugging 4 x 40kg bags of soil to the second floor didnt help with the progress of the build though.



My youngest looking where the mata mata is at the moment

 

[jjohnwm]

Dang...reading just the first paragraph in this thread is enough to make me so jealous on so many levels that I can barely finish my coffee.

How am I supposed to enjoy the sight of the snow currently pelting down outside (about 2 inches so far this morning) without coffee???

We need to see that turtle!

 

[robmcd]

Following this, because I know it's going to be gooooooood!!

 

[headbanger_jib]

We need to see that turtle!

 

[headbanger_jib]

Its been two weeks of inaction

Mostly because of laziness on my part.

This weekend I did take a rough estimate of the plumbing material needed, purchased it and is ready for the build for the coming weekend.

Until then a small video of the plants and the fish thriving in the pond.

 

[headbanger_jib]

The filter is going to be very simply bio filter, a drum filled with porous media, and a nice alocasia to help with nitrate removal.

Duckweed that is added to the pond, is a very prolific nutrient consumer, and as such will boost the filtration.

Got a drum that, I shall be using as a filter tank.





The drum I shall be fitting with 3/4" bulkheads for outlet, the inlet will just placed on top.



Vegetable bags used in refridgerator will be used as media bags




Popsoil, baked clay which is highly porous shall be used as media.




Will update the rest soon

 

[headbanger_jib]

Well the last weekend I managed to finish the plumbing.


Its an ugly job.
This is how the pond looks like now




Have added a few more plants on the mud bank

 

[EntoStentor]

looks like it's coming along great so far!

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I read mata mata as moto moto first! Great build!