cement ponds???

[pheasant24]

do anyone have cement ponds pics? I know waterdog does. are they easy to clean out?
If anyone wants to give some advice on how to make one, that would be most helpful!

 

[laadeebug]

I think it depends on your definition of easy. My mother used to have a little one in the front yard. She didn't build it with a drainage or filtering system so she had to empty it out every so often with a bucket, clean it out and start over. I don't really think she thought hers out too well. Anyhow, I know that there are instructions in the DIY section on the self sufficient living sites like Mother Earth. I have been looking into building one myself so there is a lot of stuff out there. Good luck.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

page 50 (I THINK)
On my migratory waterfowl thread ( in the sticky section for ducks)
has some of my old ones

If built with a drain, yes they are easy, pull the plug and wash down with bleach and a hose.
if not, they are a nightmare, You will have to get a sump pumg and drain them, them shovel all the mess out by hand.
I would highly advise a drain system.
Filters not needed, it would take a super massive one to keep up with a lot of ducks any way.

no real right way to do it
just dig your hole and pack it with at least 3 inches of cement.
The drain should be at least 3 inches, I used 4, to keep from clogging
I stubbed up another section of pipe to the water level. at the water level put a cap on it, but drill some holes at the water level line of the pipe. This will allow drainage in storms or what not to prevent flooding the pen.
Do not glue this section in, leave it press fitted.
Now when you are ready to drain, just grab it and pull it out and you are good to go.

 

[pheasant24]

ohhh...ok! so how deep at some? I think i need mine at least 1 1/2 feet deep.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

depends on what all you plan to have. For all the puddle ducks, 10-18 iches is plenty
for the divers I always did 2-3 foot

 

[ranchhand]

Be sure to seal the concrete somehow- otherwise, it will seep dry overnight.

 

[pheasant24]

Quote:
well i have egytian geese and shelducks and mandarins and calls and soon ringed teal.

 

[pheasant24]

Quote:
like a cement sealer?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Quote:
well i have egytian geese and shelducks and mandarins and calls and soon ringed teal.

you'll be good on a shallow one then.
Shelducks and geese arent big water birds, they'll be happy with anything.
I wouldnt put any sealer in the cement, it will get in the water and possibley poison the birds.

If you are concerned with seapage, put plastic under the cement before you pour it.

I always used the minor seapage to my advantage though by allowing me to keep a fine mist blowing over the ponds, they really liked that

 

[pheasant24]

Quote:
well i have egytian geese and shelducks and mandarins and calls and soon ringed teal.

you'll be good on a shallow one then.
Shelducks and geese arent big water birds, they'll be happy with anything.
I wouldnt put any sealer in the cement, it will get in the water and possibley poison the birds.

If you are concerned with seapage, put plastic under the cement before you pour it.

I always used the minor seapage to my advantage though by allowing me to keep a fine mist blowing over the ponds, they really liked that

ok well my shelduck wont even go in water thats deep. but my geese love deep water. i have a tiny fish pond in there and its about 2.5 feet deep.
And is seapage some sealant?