Advice for new duck pond plz

[21hens-incharge]

I posted this link in another thread.....thought maybe the drain idea would work for you with lots of planning of course.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I posted this link in another thread.....thought maybe the drain idea would work for you with lots of planning of course.

I think we are going to try this next! My husband and I both watched the video of it yesterday and it just looks so simple! Famous last words!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think we are going to try this next! My husband and I both watched the video of it yesterday and it just looks so simple! Famous last words!

It does seem a bit to easy......but then again some things we over think, over engineer, and over complicate when there is a simple solution.
That it goes well.
The only thing I question is not having any pond padding or soft soil under the lining. Then again in the video it is not deep so not super heavy per square inch.

 

[DuckyDonna]

It does seem a bit to easy......but then again some things we over think, over engineer, and over complicate when there is a simple solution.
That it goes well.
The only thing I question is not having any pond padding or soft soil under the lining. Then again in the video it is not deep so not super heavy per square inch.

Yes, and of course my husband wants to do exactly what you said, overthink and overengineer the whole thing so it's developing into a big project and an even bigger argument. I don't want to do it at all now! Maybe I ought to just do it on my own but it's too big of a job I think.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes, and of course my husband wants to do exactly what you said, overthink and overengineer the whole thing so it's developing into a big project and an even bigger argument. I don't want to do it at all now! Maybe I ought to just do it on my own but it's too big of a job I think.

Well dang. Arguments make any project a real drag.

I guess I should count myself lucky that my hubs has exactly ZERO interest in helping with ANY critter things.

 

[BReeder!]

Yes, and of course my husband wants to do exactly what you said, overthink and overengineer the whole thing so it's developing into a big project and an even bigger argument. I don't want to do it at all now! Maybe I ought to just do it on my own but it's too big of a job I think.

At the end of the day, a pool of water is all they need... I like the deeper idea, but even then just dig a hole, drop a liner and you have a pond. Adding rocks and landscaping certainly helps make it pretty. The easiest deep pond build is to dig a hole and mound the dirt you dig up around the perimeter. Then you can plant the mound on the outside. The mound creates depth with half the digging. Just be sure to tamp it and cover the exposed dirt with plants, rocks and/or mulch to keep the ducks from eroding it away as they walk on it. Occasional maintenance is needed on the mound in the form of adding mulch and perhaps dirt. As for something under there liner, carpet remnants or old floor padding/underlayment works well. Look around the day before garbage pickup to see if anybody had tossed any out add part of a remodel. I got lucky doing exactly this. Sand makes another good option, and even cardboard will work. Keep it simple, but as big as you can (including considerations for water flow and filtration).

 

[springvalley123]

Don't forget the underlayment, it can be old carpet, or carpet pad. Most liners need an underlayment in order to not get punctured by the weight of all that water on the inevitable small rocks/pebbles in the dirt. best of luck! It's fun to see the ducks dive and dart under water.

 

[DuckyDonna]

At the end of the day, a pool of water is all they need... I like the deeper idea, but even then just dig a hole, drop a liner and you have a pond. Adding rocks and landscaping certainly helps make it pretty. The easiest deep pond build is to dig a hole and mound the dirt you dig up around the perimeter. Then you can plant the mound on the outside. The mound creates depth with half the digging. Just be sure to tamp it and cover the exposed dirt with plants, rocks and/or mulch to keep the ducks from eroding it away as they walk on it. Occasional maintenance is needed on the mound in the form of adding mulch and perhaps dirt. As for something under there liner, carpet remnants or old floor padding/underlayment works well. Look around the day before garbage pickup to see if anybody had tossed any out add part of a remodel. I got lucky doing exactly this. Sand makes another good option, and even cardboard will work. Keep it simple, but as big as you can (including considerations for water flow and filtration).

How would you clean the pond?

 

[BReeder!]

Note the "considerations for... filtration".
I previously posted about a simple biomech filler using lava rock, sponges or filler pads in a water trough or plastic barrel. Additionally, the water can bu pumped out and refilled from time to time as needed. Fill drains may not be required if you design a backwash function into the filter. My old folder had mesh bags even holding the lava rock so I could pull them out, hose them off good and stick them back in. Follett cleaning took about 10 minutes. Ducks do get the water muddy and like to drop poop and even eggs into the water. However, a large pond with simple filtration can handle quite a bit.

 

[Joev1973]

Guys i bought a 16x16 ft liner. Paid some young kid to dig the hole stalled out in the hard tennessee dirt & roots. I called an old neighbor down with industrial tiller attachment on his big tractor and he pulverized the dirt roots and all. Wouldnt you know it as he finished the rain began. 7 straight days of rain and 1 heck of a mud pit. I suspended the job until the ground drys.

I bought the fencing and top bird netting today and when this project is done the ducks will have their own pen 20x30 with 12x12x24" pond & fountain. Even got a sump pump to pump the poop water to the garden thats always parched in the southern heat.

Today bought an x-large igloo dog house for the 4 ducks. Its coming together just a rain delay. I will update when we get er done