This website might help you with the pond information:
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/pond.htm

Whatever you put in, make sure the bottom or any potential "resting/hibernation" areas are dug below the frost line (assuming you get frost). I usually recommend at least 300 gallons, but that really depends on your temperatures. But, the larger the pond, the more resistant it is to change (pH, temperature, bioload, etc.).

You also want the pond itself or the area around the pond to be escape-proof to a turtle so that it doesn't accidentally make it's way to native water ways. In CA, the only native turtle is the Pacific pond turtle, and those are illegal to keep, so any pet turtle should be in an escape-proof area.

Sliders are great pond turtles, and there are thousands for adoption at reptile rescues and animal control facilities. If you want a pond turtle, look into adopting one that already needs a home from a shelter or rescue in CA. They might also have cooters and painteds. Cooters get larger, and painteds smaller, but male painteds are rough on anything female, so be aware of that. Sliders may or may not get along no matter how large the pond. Each one is an individual. Cooters seem to get along well with each other - or at least I haven't been called to take a cooter that's been attaching a cage mate. If you want two turtles, then I'd ask around to the rescues for two females or two males that were raised together.

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