Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Someone put 2 small RES in a plastic box on top of the trashcan at the apartment building next door! So I took them home and they are in a large plastic container with floating bark and basking light right now.
I have a large totally fenced-in pond on my deck and would love to put them in there eventually- the pond has a strong filter and is about 15 inches at it's deepest. I live in So. california and its pretty warm here- do I need heating? When is it safe to put them in there? What kind of set up would be best outdoors?
The other option would be to put them in the tank with my mud turtle, but I don't think that is a good idea...
Any input is apreciated. thx

You definately don't want to put them with the mud. Indoors you want a large tank or Rubbermaid type container, heater, cannister filter, UVB light, heat lamp and basking platform. Outside you would also need a basking area. How big are they?

I have put them in the pond and they are doing great..They have shallow water, deep water, two different kind of basking areas (one floating cork, one stones and about 6 hours of direct sunlight. I see them bask, but obviously whenever I come near they jump...
There is also little fish and plants galore..
They are only about an inch...

Wow. Little bitty babies. Good luck to them

Just wanted to say- they are doing well..I am heating the pond and they are eating and basking daily. I hardly get to see them though- they are jumping into the water if I make the slightest movement....