Duck pond cleaning

[kirkyanne]

Hello I just finished building out inground duck pond this week. Its approximately 2. 5 x 1.5 metres.
I have a dirty water pump to clean out the pond. We crested a 'well' in one corner so when it gets shallow I can hose excess dirt from the pond plastic into the well section and pump it out. I have a garden hose connected, and then use the water on my garden.
I am however just wondering how often I should be doing this. 2-3 days? or do you think it could be left longer? I do top up with some clean water daily. We are heading into water restrictions so would like to do it as less as possible, but don't want the ducks to be swimming in filth either or causing them harm.
Pics below of our pond and pump (and our young buff ducks).

 

[Ratchnick]

If water is in short supply or expensive I would invest in a pond filter. You can build one if your handy or buy one for a few hundred dollars.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

With seven ducks in that pond, i think you will have to change the water every five minutes…
Nice pond!

 

[KaleIAm]

You might not want to bring home water from local lakes. I'm sure it is fine for grass, but if wild waterfowl ever visit you could bring home parasites to your ducks. I've had crazy parasite issues and our vet has insisted that I don't take my ducks to the pond on our property anymore because wild ducks occasionally visit.

I change out my swimming water daily because of parasites, apparently the one we have trouble with thrives in water. If we didn't have parasites I might go a couple days. Since they love to drink their swimming water I always want to change it every time they poop in it. "Ahhh! Don't drink that!"

Your ducks are adorable.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@CrystaBub maybe able to give ideas. Beautiful pond and ducks I have 2 female Buffs love them to pieces!

 

[kirkyanne]

With seven ducks in that pond, i think you will have to change the water every five minutes…
Nice pond!

I know right lol. We probably can't keep them all though as pretty sure four are ducks and three are drakes. Messy things that's for sure!

 

[kirkyanne]

Y

If water is in short supply or expensive I would invest in a pond filter. You can build one if your handy or buy one for a few hundred dollars.

I'm definitely looking into making one now that you mention it. Seen a few vids and looks pretty straightforward. It really needs to be cleaned at least 2-3 days. So stinky. If I use a filter I could probably stretch it out a week hopefully.

 

[Steven Bussell]

I'm here in California where water saving is a lifestyle.
I have a small pond with a large water filter system...
Once the weather is a little better I'm going to make a video of my set up.
I don't have to change the water ever.
I do have to add maybe 3 gallons because they splash it out.
I clean the main part of the system daily... Most of the time my water is almost as clear as tap water

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

That's a really nice set up! I just use little kid pools in my blueberry bush area. We don't have water restrictions, that would be hard. Blueberries and ducks and cows need lots of water.

 

[CrystaBub]

Such a smart set up and beautiful duckies! I think you'll know when you need to empty it LOL