Clean duck water and free food. Aquaponics Duckaponics

[ducksinarow]

Do you have any problem with mosquitoes? My husband thinks we might need fish in the pond. Do you have fish in yours? I am loving this idea of yours.

 

[deputychicken21]

Do you have any problem with mosquitoes? My husband thinks we might need fish in the pond. Do you have fish in yours? I am loving this idea of yours.

Hi
No problems with mosquitos the water runs constantly so that deters any from laying eggs, and of course the ducks eat anything that moves so we never see any bugs in there. I do not have any fish in the pond. The ducks keep the water well fertilized lol

 

[RichnSteph]

That's a great set up, looks nice and easy to configure and from what you've said it does a great job of filtering the water. In looking at the prices of some of the larger "pond filtration" set ups I'd bet someone could build what you're built for a fraction of the cost of a manufactured filter and get better filtration and be able to grow some goodies for the flock. If you had to ball park the $$ spent on the filter versus the duckaponics system which one seems to be more cost effective? I'm also curious to know if you think just running the grow beds without the prefilter would work.

Thank you
RichnSteph

Oh something just came to mind. Have you thought about throwing a few dozen minnows in the pond for the ducks to enjoy as well as using them as added media producers for the grow beds?

 

[deputychicken21]

In my opinion you don't need the pond filter, I bought it before I got the idea for the grow beds. I left it on the systems because I only had 3/4" pvc pipe on hand and I would need 2" to keep up with the pumps water flow (my pump is not adjustable). If I was starting from scratch I would just buy a good pump and forgo the filter. You can use all sorts of things for the beds like rubbermaid tubs or 5 gallon buckets. I bet you have enough stuff laying around to build one. I may give the minnow idea a try Thank you

The pond is 4 2x12x7 pieces of wood and a 10x10 pond liner. I had the wood and the liner was $80
Pump $100 for a good one
barrels were about $40
Lava Rocks and pea gravel $75
PVC - ? I already had it
Wood for frame ? I already had it.

 

[RichnSteph]

Thanks!! As with all things like this my biggest hurdle will be convincing my wife. Having some prices from someone who has a working system helps.

RichnSteph

 

[kristy2122]

A couple questions:

1) What was your reasoning behind doing 4 small separate tubs versus 1 larger one? Do you think the rounded bottom helps with filtering more so than a flat-bottomed tub?

2) What type of pump do you use?

 

[yarnchick]

That would be great.. I would like to have a bit of diagram also. I think with a little studying I might get it. Thanks a heap.

 

[deputychicken21]

A couple questions:

1) What was your reasoning behind doing 4 small separate tubs versus 1 larger one? Do you think the rounded bottom helps with filtering more so than a flat-bottomed tub?

2) What type of pump do you use?

Hey
I used the barrels because they were cheaper. I really wanted want to use the 50 gallon Rubbermaid container at tractor supply, they are $79.95 each. I can not find a name on my pump but I bought it on ebay its about 1600 gal p/m and was around $100

 

[newcanaanchicks]

In the picture I can see water being pumped back out of the electric filter. Is that overflow?

 

[kristy2122]

Just a normal 1600 gpm water pump? I'm interested because everyone says that the duckpoop always clogs up the pumps. It's submerged or above-ground? I'd love more info on pump if you wouldn't mind.