Best cleaner for keeping duck pond clean of mud and muck?

[SmithsCoop41]

Hey y'all!

It's me again. LOL. Of course I have another question. This time it is regarding our pond that we built for our ducks. We only have 5 ducks, but MANNNNNNNN! THEY SURE DO KEEP IT MESSY, and I fully aware that with ducks/geese/chickens/etc, it's pretty much a never-ending story keeping their areas clean 24/7-pretty much impossible. You can spend hours cleaning their areas only for them to mess them back up in a matter of minutes! We built (my husband), built our duck's pond back at the beginning of last year (I think) and he even installed a filter and everything, but it's just not working too good with the ducks. He even made a waterfall in it, but it just isn't working with 5 ducks keeping it muddy and messy. They don't stay in it non-stop, but they do get in it, as I see them in it from time to time during the day, but I'm sure they take little swims at other times that we don't see, so it looks muddy and just...well straight up nasty. Not to mention, there's leaves that have made their way to the bottom that I scoop out here and there, but we've got to come up with a better solution that is maybe not so messy and time-consuming keeping it clean. My husband and I have been talking about just putting up a small fence around it to keep the ducks out, and putting in some Koi fish instead. It really isn't crucial as far as the ducks, since they have other areas and ponds nearby that they can go to.

So, first question: Is there a cleaner product for small ponds that we can add to the water to clear it up and keep it clean that would ALSO still be safe for the ducks just in case they drink some of the water while we have the cleaner in it? If there is, we may just decide to keep letting the ducks use it and not get any Koi.

Second question: What is the best fencing to put up to keep the ducks out of said pond once we get the water cleared up, but also isn't going to break the bank so-to-speak?

Third question: Is it easier to maintain a pond that have Koi fish instead of ducks? I'm thinking it probably will be, but I'm open to advice on the subject.

Thanks in advance,

A fellow Duck Moma

 

[Jenbirdee]

Hey y'all!

It's me again. LOL. Of course I have another question. This time it is regarding our pond that we built for our ducks. We only have 5 ducks, but MANNNNNNNN! THEY SURE DO KEEP IT MESSY, and I fully aware that with ducks/geese/chickens/etc, it's pretty much a never-ending story keeping their areas clean 24/7-pretty much impossible. You can spend hours cleaning their areas only for them to mess them back up in a matter of minutes! We built (my husband), built our duck's pond back at the beginning of last year (I think) and he even installed a filter and everything, but it's just not working too good with the ducks. He even made a waterfall in it, but it just isn't working with 5 ducks keeping it muddy and messy. They don't stay in it non-stop, but they do get in it, as I see them in it from time to time during the day, but I'm sure they take little swims at other times that we don't see, so it looks muddy and just...well straight up nasty. Not to mention, there's leaves that have made their way to the bottom that I scoop out here and there, but we've got to come up with a better solution that is maybe not so messy and time-consuming keeping it clean. My husband and I have been talking about just putting up a small fence around it to keep the ducks out, and putting in some Koi fish instead. It really isn't crucial as far as the ducks, since they have other areas and ponds nearby that they can go to.

So, first question: Is there a cleaner product for small ponds that we can add to the water to clear it up and keep it clean that would ALSO still be safe for the ducks just in case they drink some of the water while we have the cleaner in it? If there is, we may just decide to keep letting the ducks use it and not get any Koi.

Second question: What is the best fencing to put up to keep the ducks out of said pond once we get the water cleared up, but also isn't going to break the bank so-to-speak?

Third question: Is it easier to maintain a pond that have Koi fish instead of ducks? I'm thinking it probably will be, but I'm open to advice on the subject.

Thanks in advance,

A fellow Duck Moma

google “barley balls”
I’ve never tried them because I don’t have a pond, but I heard that they work well

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

hello. I do not have a pond but can relate to the never ending cleaning of everything duck related. I have 3 pools set up and clean them daily. Often have thought about if there was something to help keep it kinda sorta clean. I have read about pool filters but the feathers and muck are a problem with them.

I use a garden fence and plastic poles for my fence. I think about $50 a 50ft roll of welded wire fence and $2 a plastic pole. I too am trying to find a better, less break the bank fence option as my dogs get in by the ducks and EAT their food and poo.

When you figure out a clean water hack please share.

Renee

 

[jennserra]

I started to research building a pond with filter and came across aquascape and their CAC (certified aquascape contractors) channels that show so many awesome builds.

Here is one I found that shows ducks using it in the reveal, but they have more on their channels.

Until I have the funds for an awesome filtering pond with waterfall, I have been using a larger kiddie pool (https://a.co/d/5aNgrP4) with a filter (https://a.co/d/hnOXaAw). Using the filter allows me to have to clean and empty it less (about once every two weeks instead of every 5-7 days).

It works in the meantime (the ducks and our goose love it), until I can invest in the aquascape water feature and pond for our duck, duck, goose crew.

 

[Hi I am Kimberly]

I started to research building a pond with filter and came across aquascape and their CAC (certified aquascape contractors) channels that show so many awesome builds.

Here is one I found that shows ducks using it in the reveal, but they have more on their channels.

Until I have the funds for an awesome filtering pond with waterfall, I have been using a larger kiddie pool (https://a.co/d/5aNgrP4) with a filter (https://a.co/d/hnOXaAw). Using the filter allows me to have to clean and empty it less (about once every two weeks instead of every 5-7 days).

It works in the meantime (the ducks and our goose love it), until I can invest in the aquascape water feature and pond for our duck, duck, goose crew.

Hi! How is your pool working out now? We are considering ducks, but would like them to be happy. Is 12" too shallow? I saw a 10ft x 30in pool with filter at Home Depot. What are your thoughts? Thinking of adopting 5 Welsh Harlequins- juveniles...

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hi! How is your pool working out now? We are considering ducks, but would like them to be happy. Is 12" too shallow? I saw a 10ft x 30in pool with filter at Home Depot. What are your thoughts? Thinking of adopting 5 Welsh Harlequins- juveniles...

My ducks are just fine with about 8 inches deep