New Pond Build

Thanks for the clarification. I will be planting some ornamentals next week and let them grow in preparation for the duckies.

Its amazing how much time and effort goes into caring for these guys, but its soooo worth it.
 
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You might try growing some from seed if you are worried about chemicals. These are some easy to start from seed flowers and plants my ducks like. Each duck is different and your experience could be different from mine with these plants.

Zinnias - they get pretty tall, the ducks nibble at the leaves and leave the flowers alone.
Borage - hairy coarse leaves that taste like cucumber. Blue flowers also taste great, but ducks strip the plant bare of leaves leaving the flowers for me to nibble on.
Johnny jump-ups and pansy - They browse on this when they are in the mood.
Dianthus - They eat the leaves, but never strip the plant bare.
Chard - Rainbow varieties are very colorful
Lettuce - Super easy to grow but gone in an instant unless you have a lot of it and a way to protect it until its larger. So many varieties, colors and textures.
Marigolds
Calendula
Nasturtium - My ducks don't eat these, maybe too peppery. They are safe to eat if they wanted too...
Dill
Parsley

Not from seed but you might consider
Mini roses - grows well in a pot, they eat the buds and flowers. Don't spray with chemicals.
Blueberry bushes - very pretty shrubs in a variety of shapes and sizes, grows well in a pot of half peat moss and half potting mix.
 
My girls also like hostas. They left them alone all spring and summer. But when they started blooming late fall they'd strip the blooms. Now they are slowly eating the leaves. As a plus they love to snuggle gown and slept in them.

The hostas are pretty but they're growing in a place we want to make into a kitchen garden.

They're not variegated and they have purple blooms. Don't know the variety because they were already established when we bought this place.
 
My girls also like hostas. They left them alone all spring and summer. But when they started blooming late fall they'd strip the blooms. Now they are slowly eating the leaves. As a plus they love to snuggle gown and slept in them.

The hostas are pretty but they're growing in a place we want to make into a kitchen garden.

They're not variegated and they have purple blooms. Don't know the variety because they were already established when we bought this place.

Excellent, thanks for the feedback, I will look into them as well.


I am putting the almost finishing touches on the pond.

Here it is all grassed in with the tiny feeder pond






Here is the pump "installed" and pumping water into the feeder pond. I need to build a colander type filter for the bottom of the pond and mount the pump permanently.



I need to find a way to attach that securely to something because I just KNOW one day I am going to come out and see a rouen or a pekin standing next to it on the ground with a "what happened?" look on its bill, just like this one...........





Next will be vegetation, but I am tied up with buying an incubator and duckie eggs, but there will be another thread on that and all the questions I will have.
 
Looking good!! I'm about ready to start putting together a cascading pool/pond setup myself! For now, i;m just using 1 large and 2 small kiddie pools, painted to NOT be blue. The large one will be at ground level and the other 2 will pour into the large one.. I have a 3500gph pump and 2 food grade barrels to make a filter.. sooooooo.....I guess there's nothing else to do but get started!! I;m going to set it all in a raised bed that will be approx 8'x12'... I;ll start a thread when I have pics and updates...

SO, a month later, how is yours coming along??
 
Looking good!! I'm about ready to start putting together a cascading pool/pond setup myself! For now, i;m just using 1 large and 2 small kiddie pools, painted to NOT be blue. The large one will be at ground level and the other 2 will pour into the large one.. I have a 3500gph pump and 2 food grade barrels to make a filter.. sooooooo.....I guess there's nothing else to do but get started!! I;m going to set it all in a raised bed that will be approx 8'x12'... I;ll start a thread when I have pics and updates...

SO, a month later, how is yours coming along??

I responded in the other post but it sounds like you are ready to get building! awesome!

3800GPH might be a bit much (see other thread) but it depends on your application. When I had a pump that powerful it shot water 10 feet straight up, but your mileage may vary. Also watch the wattage on those bigger pumps or you may get an unhappy surprise in your electric bill. Your plan sounds solid, get to work!
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I look forward to seeing your build.
 
Yes I am concerned about the power bill!!! I think I will set it on a timer and regulate it. I know the pump is over kill for what I;m currently doing, but it was a great deal and should work later for bigger ponds. Yes, I saw your other posts!
 
Yes I am concerned about the power bill!!! I think I will set it on a timer and regulate it. I know the pump is over kill for what I;m currently doing, but it was a great deal and should work later for bigger ponds. Yes, I saw your other posts!

Timer is a great idea unless you plan on installing a bacteria filter. Bacteria filters require 24 hour water flow. Another reason I got a low wattage pump.
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I'll try the dimmer switch first. I should be able to run it 24/7 at a low speed that way... if that doesn't work, i'll check w you on the DW-4000 and consider buying one...
 

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