How to look after my turtle?

What containers are viable and look attractive enough for a small patio turtle pond?

• I have a 15 year old turtle who's shell length is 9" about. My turtle and I live in SW Florida currently and will be staying in tropical climates for the forseeable future. I want a new pond for her that I may keep on my lanai/patio. The patio is screened and glass lined with a lock, so no chance of wildlife or petty theft. She is currently in a kiddie pool the standard size you find at kid stores and Wal-Mart, holding about 60 gallons at the moment. Since pets are allowed, I dont have to hide her in a cramped apartment under my desk anymore, but instead may let her stretch her legs a bit in a nice roomy patio pond. The pond needs to be 3 ft circumference maximum, with a depth of about 2 feet maximum. Preferrably black, metal may do, but it has to be a non toxic, sturdy material, what ever it is, the metal should not rust, and the rubber has to be fairly sturdy, the pond is standing on itself, with no props or half way in the dirt/half way out. Preferably from a store in the area, garden center/landscaping place. Rocks and landing will come later, but I have something in mind involving cement blocks if necessary or bricks and flat rocks in the middle. There is a pretty big filter I got today that does up to 600 gallons/hour. Filtration and maintenance is not a problem here folks, I am a college student, cleaning a pond at 2 am is not really much different from anything else I would be doing. The idea is to give my roommate and her parents a bit of pay back for letting me keep the turtle on the lanai, make it look nice, as in not an eyesore please. Any decorating will come later too, the idea is a stand alone pond, that may be used above ground. Thanks in advance for anything you guys can come up with :)

• Answer:

  Check your local home improvement type stores for preformed plastic ponds... many of the larger, deeper styles have a lip around the edge and need to be put in the ground, but smaller ones tend to lack this lip, and can be left aboveground and filled fully... you can always place potted plants around the edges to "hide" it and give a more permanent feel without having to dig any holes... (you could also just keep the kiddie pool and "landscape" around it... stones on the bottom. plants that are safe for the turtle to eat around the sides, hanging over the edges of the pool... just try to hide the fact that it's nothing more than what it is... (and as always, make sure none of the stones are small enough for the turtle to swallow.)