Added Rio grande red sliders to koi pond in separate basin, trying to learn and understand about salmonella concerns.
We have a 700 gallon pond and separate turtle basin with biological filtration only.
The water and fish are stable and healthy and we just added the turtles, 5 of them this past Sunday.
We have a slight waterfall slowing water into the turtles pond, and that water cycles into the koi pond.
Oxenagation should be good, the fish stay below water for long periods, occasionally stay in the caves\ crevasses
For long periods of time, and have had no losses in over 3 months, the pond has been running for about 6 months.
There is a 'stream' about 3' wide, 15' long with a fair amount of water agitation leading into a wider water fall, dropping
Into the koi pond, that same stream allows water over to the turtle pond and that slight water fall there.
Water quality is super clear, I am using an ultra violet UV filter, water testing weekly, again stab!e.
I am using 'pond blocks' to keep the algae in check..... (Looking to regulate that better bybother means eventually).
The pond is for the home and family, 3 kids and 2 parents and of course guests.....
I hope that is useful general info on the setup, please let me know if I need to share more.
I have a minor understanding of salmonella, and now that I've gone this route with the turtles, we understand about handling
The turtles directly, and washing our hands religiously, so we got that part down.
What about the who eco-sphere of everything together and salmonella?
Does The entire pond now have salmonella in it?
Any and all contact with any water or surface which came into contact with the pond water not exposed to salmonella?
I'd like to think I'm not paranoid, but like many things I want to have the proper respect for salmonella.
I've been bouncing around the net, reading all kinds of articles, posts, and general info however my interpretation of it all, is that
It's all over the place and I can't seem to reach an satisfactory understanding.
Would appreciate some help with this, from this group.
Thank you!