Muscovy Pros and Cons?

[Peep boy]

Cool! Any pictures?

 

[Meg Muir]

@Peep boy here you go. It isnt the prettiest filter but i did it this way as an experiment to see if it was going to keep the bath clean. The only issue I have is the tannins in the water. It rained beautifully last night so we have some water to do a partial water change today. The bucket sprung a leak on one of the seals so when I dismantle it to fix that join I will add another thick layer of active charcoal. Hopefully that sorts the tannins out. But for the most part I am happy with the setup. I was thinking about adding a second filter so the water went from this one into new filter bucket and then into current back to pond but I really don't think it's necessary. I also topped up the bath with water from the pond which had an algae bloom, so will need to scrub that bath off.

 

[Peep boy]

@Peep boy here you go. It isnt the prettiest filter but i did it this way as an experiment to see if it was going to keep the bath clean. The only issue I have is the tannins in the water. It rained beautifully last night so we have some water to do a partial water change today. The bucket sprung a leak on one of the seals so when I dismantle it to fix that join I will add another thick layer of active charcoal. Hopefully that sorts the tannins out. But for the most part I am happy with the setup. I was thinking about adding a second filter so the water went from this one into new filter bucket and then into current back to pond but I really don't think it's necessary. I also topped up the bath with water from the pond which had an algae bloom, so will need to scrub that bath off.View attachment 1143287 View attachment 1143288

Wow! For your intake hose, you must have a pump. Do you have soil in the bucket for the plant? Maybe leaves that fall in the pond? I have a fish pond that gets tannins from acorns falling in, but I know those two other things might cause tannins as well. I love the plant in it! This is such a great setup you have! Thank you so much for showing me!

 

[Meg Muir]

@Peep boy I don't have soil in the bucket no, I have a 2300 fosh tank pump (with an added filter on the front of it so big particles dont mess up the motor) and then have a pipe from the inlet down the middle of tje bucket to the bottom on a T join to make the swirl, and then the water is pushed upwards through multiple filter layers, plastic scourer balls, synthetic bath scrubs, scrubbing pads, then bio balls, filter floss, now an inch of activated charcoal, more pads and then a wire basket hold the arum lillies. I didn't have a plant that would cascade down at the time. Next time will paint the bucket nicely and then set it up. And yes the bath is on the boundary wall to my neighbour's and his trees are forever dropping leaves so it's sometimes a twice daily chore to scoop leaves. The theory behind the lillies is that they are great for filtering water. I have them en mass (still need more though) for my eco pool. Alot of people use them with French drains and they work beautifully.

 

[perchie.girl]

@Peep boy I don't have soil in the bucket no, I have a 2300 fosh tank pump (with an added filter on the front of it so big particles dont mess up the motor) and then have a pipe from the inlet down the middle of tje bucket to the bottom on a T join to make the swirl, and then the water is pushed upwards through multiple filter layers, plastic scourer balls, synthetic bath scrubs, scrubbing pads, then bio balls, filter floss, now an inch of activated charcoal, more pads and then a wire basket hold the arum lillies. I didn't have a plant that would cascade down at the time. Next time will paint the bucket nicely and then set it up. And yes the bath is on the boundary wall to my neighbour's and his trees are forever dropping leaves so it's sometimes a twice daily chore to scoop leaves. The theory behind the lillies is that they are great for filtering water. I have them en mass (still need more though) for my eco pool. Alot of people use them with French drains and they work beautifully.

I have toyed with this idea but not moved toward experimenting with it.... I am sooo glad to see an example and know that it is possible....

Tanins.... I did some research and outside of them being bitter they are not toxic....
https://www.uswatersystems.com/water-problems/tannin

Its a good write up and Yep they are "selling" their water filtration system... Read around all that...

Mind if I share your post on another thread rather than Hijacking this one?

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

For the OP... I am toying with the idea of having Muscovies myself... Very interesting duck. They are NOT related to any other duck out there so much so that if they cross breed with ducks the offspring are considered Mules or steril.

Muscovies also are very good fliers and roost in trees in the wild. So in my opinion they would be a good choice for sharing with a coop of chickens. Provide roosts for them.

A good option for the drinking water to keep the coop dry Set the water on top of a stand that has hardware cloth on the top.... Then under the stand put a tub with a drain .... sending splashed water outside of the coop. This would allow you to heat the drinking water in winter.

deb

 

[Peep boy]

@Peep boy I don't have soil in the bucket no, I have a 2300 fosh tank pump (with an added filter on the front of it so big particles dont mess up the motor) and then have a pipe from the inlet down the middle of tje bucket to the bottom on a T join to make the swirl, and then the water is pushed upwards through multiple filter layers, plastic scourer balls, synthetic bath scrubs, scrubbing pads, then bio balls, filter floss, now an inch of activated charcoal, more pads and then a wire basket hold the arum lillies. I didn't have a plant that would cascade down at the time. Next time will paint the bucket nicely and then set it up. And yes the bath is on the boundary wall to my neighbour's and his trees are forever dropping leaves so it's sometimes a twice daily chore to scoop leaves. The theory behind the lillies is that they are great for filtering water. I have them en mass (still need more though) for my eco pool. Alot of people use them with French drains and they work beautifully.

You have quite the setup! In the spring when I make an actual duck pond, I'll have to do this!

 

[Meg Muir]

I have toyed with this idea but not moved toward experimenting with it.... I am sooo glad to see an example and know that it is possible....

Tanins.... I did some research and outside of them being bitter they are not toxic....
https://www.uswatersystems.com/water-problems/tannin

Its a good write up and Yep they are "selling" their water filtration system... Read around all that...

Mind if I share your post on another thread rather than Hijacking this one?

deb

Yes exactly right about the tannins. The easiest way to remove them would be a partial water change or increase the carbon. Please share away! Next time I do a filter flush I will take pics of the assembly. It really does work well considering all 4 ducks swim in that bath.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is an amazing set up along with the pool you have for them also.

 

[perchie.girl]

Yes exactly right about the tannins. The easiest way to remove them would be a partial water change or increase the carbon. Please share away! Next time I do a filter flush I will take pics of the assembly. It really does work well considering all 4 ducks swim in that bath.

dont know what part of the country you are in but here we can use Water Hyacinth.... Natural water filter and it grows and multiplies crazy fast. When dried you can use it for kindling. ...

deb