Duck pond

[NoahSully]

@CrystaBub how big is your pond?

 

[CrystaBub]

@CrystaBub how big is your pond?

My pond is about 1500 gallons. I have the first filter you shared the amazon link too (half off ponds) and I also have a skimmer. My pond is seriously crystal clear. I would get the largest and most powerful you can afford - because let's be real, are you seriously going to stop with just the 2 ducks????

 

[NoahSully]

My pond is about 1500 gallons. I have the first filter you shared the amazon link too (half off ponds) and I also have a skimmer. My pond is seriously crystal clear. I would get the largest and most powerful you can afford - because let's be real, are you seriously going to stop with just the 2 ducks????

Thanks!
And your probably right

 

[CrystaBub]

OH and one more thing. Since it's very hard to keep plants in a duck pond (they just eat them), you'll want to welcome the green (not blue or black) algae that grows on the sides. The algae helps to filter the water and provides 'homes' for water bugs that the ducks will enjoy chasing and eating. they will eat the algae too. I just noted this on the other duck ponds thread on BYC. Good luck! Sounds like you have some lucky ducks!

 

[NoahSully]

Yeah they are! Oh and @CrystaBub how often do you clean the filter pad?

 

[CrystaBub]

Yeah they are! Oh and @CrystaBub how often do you clean the filter pad?

Once a week I rinse them off and put them back into the filter pump. Sometimes I change them out mid-week if we've had a lot of rain (muck washes in from the sides). I haven't had to change any UV bulbs yet but I hear they last about 6mos-1yr. I also have some mosquito fish and minnows in the pond. I don't feed them. They eat the algae, bugs and duck poop . they also make for great entertainment for the ducks (they can't catch them)!

 

[CayugaJana]

I had 6 ducks with the very first filter pump you posted. Bought it off amazon too. It never kept up. I cleaned the filter pad 2X a day and it was always still murky. So I agree, I would buy the biggest one you can afford. How are you liking the liner?

 

[NoahSully]

I had 6 ducks with the very first filter pump you posted. Bought it off amazon too. It never kept up. I cleaned the filter pad 2X a day and it was always still murky. So I agree, I would buy the biggest one you can afford. How are you liking the liner?

The liner is great, I bought the 13 x 20 and it's a lot heavier and thicker than it looked like in the picture (~25 lbs).

Once a week I rinse them off and put them back into the filter pump. Sometimes I change them out mid-week if we've had a lot of rain (muck washes in from the sides). I haven't had to change any UV bulbs yet but I hear they last about 6mos-1yr. I also have some mosquito fish and minnows in the pond. I don't feed them. They eat the algae, bugs and duck poop . they also make for great entertainment for the ducks (they can't catch them)!

How many fish do you have in your pond?

 

[CrystaBub]

How many fish do you have in your pond?

A lot but they are tiny. I originally bought 40 red minnows - a few died. I bought 20 mosquito fish and I haven't seen any dead ones yet so I think they are doing fine. The red minnows are cool to watch in the day - and the mosquito fish only come out at night to eat bugs that land on the water - very cool to watch with a flashlight! The ducks have such a blast chasing them - they have yet to catch one LOL.

 

[HelplessHomeSteader]

Researching this topic myself here's a great article on "undergravel suction grid filter" I'm concerned about the level of muck my ducks will produce and I know I won't stop at the 5 I have.

https://www.pondtrademag.com/so-you...enance-free-system-for-clean-beautiful-water/

Hope this helps.