How often/how well do you clean ducks' pool?

[destinduck]

I use this self priming pump with a regular garden hose attached. Plugs in to regular extention cord and I can go all over the place. Great water pressure. Click on the picture to make it bigger. This ones from ace. Had one from sears that was like it. These are the ticket unless you only have twelve volt. I like RULE bilge pumps for 12 volt.

 

[EggLuver]

If you have a small kiddie or stock tank type pool, it is pretty easy to cyphen off. I started out doing the bailing thing too, then I bought several feet of clear rubber cyphen hose from the feed store and it's easier. The only sucky thing about cyphening is you have to get the suction started by sucking (lol, punny) on one end until the water starts flowing.

Actually you don't. Just submerge the hose slowly until it fills with water (you don't have to go all the way to the discharge end) then place your thumb over the end and pull the hose out to where you want it and release your thumb. The water will start flowing.

 

[blondiebee181]

Actually you don't. Just submerge the hose slowly until it fills with water (you don't have to go all the way to the discharge end) then place your thumb over the end and pull the hose out to where you want it and release your thumb. The water will start flowing.

Ooooohhh, didn't know you could do that, thanks a bunch EggLuver!! I don't have to stress about inhaling duckwater anymore!

 

[aoxa]

Ooooohhh, didn't know you could do that, thanks a bunch EggLuver!! I don't have to stress about inhaling duckwater anymore! e

I just step on the side of my kiddie pool until the water drains out almost completely, and then I lift and empty the rest out. It takes 1 minute and the pool goes right back to shape.

 

[LightningTFarm]

Ooooohhh, didn't know you could do that, thanks a bunch EggLuver!! I don't have to stress about inhaling duckwater anymore!

I think my dad and I have figured out a way to empty it without a pump. Today we bought a replacement drain plug (Igloo brand) that would normally be used on a cooler, a hose adapter with a shut-off valve, and auto/marine silicone sealant. Tomorrow we are going to use a 1/2" hole saw to cut a hole in the bottom of the side of the pool, glue the drain plug in using the silicone, and attach the valve. Then I will attach a water hose. Because my duck pen is slightly uphill from both my garden and my compost pile, I will be able to direct the water wherever I want it to go and let gravity do most of the work. I will take pictures of the parts we use and each step of the installation, and post them tomorrow night (if I can figure out how to do it).

I think this is going to work well and save me a ton of time and effort. Low tech, but ingenious!