RES turtle habitat

Question
Hi! I have a RES and an African Sideneck, I know your
opinion on housing them together as they are from different
geographical regions, and I respect it, but I can tell you
that mine have lived happily together for 2 years in the
same aquarium. I am considering moving them to an outside
enclosure. I would like to build a pond with them so they
have a larger swimming area, My RED is 6 and about 8 inch
shell and the AFS is at my best guess 3-4 years and about a
6 in shell.
What do you recommend for heating and lighting in an outdoor
pond area?
Thanks!

Answer
Hello Nicki, Im not so much against housing them together, I just want to warn of safety issues that may arrise.
The res can always mistake the head and neck as food please be aware of that as well as the res may have territory issues.
this being said, I house several turtles and outdoor ponds are a prefrence as long as weather is ok.
To keep it heated....

Large outdoor heat emmitters, heat lights, they do sell pond heaters, you can also use outdoor heaters. they have garden heaters as well.

There are several type set ups that you can design yourself with heat being considered in developing your plan. Be sure that you close it off 6 inches in the ground where they can not burrow out and make some tyoe top for it where preditors can not get in.