Pond management

[aja19919]

I just got a 1000 gallon tank for my ducks

It has a drain at the bottom. Does anyone have suggestions on how to properly manage this large size of 'pond' ? Do I get a pump and filtration system to help keep it clean? Do I get some special type of fish that eats duck poo and algae? Do I leave it above ground or try to dig a humungous hole for it? The thought of re-filling 1000 gallons each time give my pocketbook the willies.

Thank you
Amy
WA State

 

[Oddyse]

This is an age old question when it comes to owning ducks. "How the hell do I keep it clean" Many people have tried different techniques. Im in the process of building my own filtration system now, because much like you, I have a huge pond, but its in the ground, so I have to pump the water out and refill it all the time. So I would definitely suggest a filter system. Wifezilla has done an amazing thread on all of this so may be worth you checking it out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=146829&p=1

Good luck, and any new tips and tricks you discover along the way, feel free to share them with us!

 

[TLWR]

My pond is ~1000 gallon that we built this spring. We have gone 2 months (with 2 ducks) without draining/cleaning/refilling. Ducks are still fine with it. I use a pool skimmer to get what poop I can from the bottom.
We built a ~70 gallon skippy filter (maybe bigger) and have a pump going into that and it seems to help keep it from being very nasty

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=496237

 

[Kevin565]

1000 gallons isn't that much when your dealing with ponds. Both of mine were 1500 a piece and I considered them pretty small. Also this thread is from 2011..

 

[TTeddy]

Thank you