Anyone else here made their own duck pond?

[rainplace]

Quote:
We're in the process of constructing a pond, too, and were planning on lining the bottom with small stones. Would you advise against doing that?

Spending time in some pond forums, it seems that even if you don't have ducks, rocks in the bottom of the pond is a huge mistake. Anything on the bottom just becomes a collection site for all things sludge related. Add ducks to that equation and I think you'll end up with ewww....

 

[duckface]

Ah, thank you rainplace! I'll be sure to let my husband read what you said.We were also thinking of using an old pool filter for it, but I'll be sure to check out the pond threads you posted before we go any further. Right now it's just dug out, waiting to be lined and filled.

 

[geosheets]

Quote:
We're in the process of constructing a pond, too, and were planning on lining the bottom with small stones. Would you advise against doing that?

The rocks will just hold more dirt in... I will pour concrete in the bottom of my next one... that way I'll have a relatively smooth surface to clean.

 

[rlhbond]

Here is the little pool I put in. I put in a shower drain, 2" plumbing, and a ball-valve to drain it. The only change I would make (and still might) is to put a roof over it. The direct sunlight causes algea to grow like mad.

 

[tigerlilly2588]

First of all I just want to say, rlhbond~ your setup is pretty awesome! That is EXACTLY what I need! Maybe I could just fly you out my way!

So is that PVC pipe you used? Also I can't remember who mentioned it, but I actually never thought of using a pool pump/filter...I think I'll look into that!

 

[L0rraine]

Thanks for sharing - this one needs a bookmark.

 

[duckface]

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So you don't run any kind of pump/filter in yours, you just drain and refill it periodically? Hmmm...I love the way it's setup, very nice!

After we dug ours I thought about how it's going to be in direct sunlight most of the day and the effect that will have. Their little pool is under a big tree where it's shaded all the time and stays algae free. Oh well, it's already dug and we'll just see what comes.

 

[rainplace]

If you're pumping the water through a filter, you can run it under a UV light I think to kill algae.

Oh, I still have the page up for the tetra-pressurized filter... it says, "Single cell algae passes by ultraviolet light which destroys single cell algae's ability to reproduce."

Hrmm... the way it says "single cell" twice makes me wonder if all algae is single celled... I'm off to google (after my coffee)

 

[Germaine_11.20]

That is wonderful!!

 

[geosheets]

Quote:
No, it isn't all single cell. A UV clarifier will kill the algae that lives free in the water and makes the water green. It will not get rid of the algae that grows on rocks and such in your pond.