Pool/pond cleaning?

[docdubz]

I'm almost done with the barn I'm building for my birds. The run is the next project. I'm probably going to give my ducks something to swim in, what is the best approach for keeping the water cleanish? I was thinking of putting a drain in and draining it out when ever it's nasty but that got me thinking that just dumping it somewhere would cause a major fly problem (I already got about all the biting flies I care to deal with). Is there a 'best' method of disposing of that water? Or, is there a viable way of actually keeping the water clean without needing to dump constantly?

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Hi there !

If you can get that water to a veggie patch, it will do wonders !

We have some minor success with barley straw in our ponds and want to try getting reeds in to see if that helps - but probably best to plan for draining it, we didnt do that and regret it !

 

[Ratchnick]

If your handy you can build a swamp filter.

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

If your handy you can build a swamp filter.

Ooh how ?

 

[nchls school]

I have five call ducks. To swim in, I have provided a kiddie pool. About once a week it's bailed out. The water is used on some potted fruit trees.

 

[Ratchnick]

Ooh how ?

Something like this, google bog filter or duck pond filter to see how ppl do it

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Thank you !

 

[susan6sw]

Go to Lowe's to the sump pump department and buy a good (about $99.00) General Pump. I can empty a 300 gallon pond in less than 5 minutes. I also use a strainer to get anything bigger out. A 35 foot hose drains the water into a garden spot and smell is not a problem. Good luck.

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Our sump pump won"t get the last layer of 'manure' out appreciate we may not have nought the right model !

 

[3bird]

During August and September when our ducks natural water gets low or dries up, we use small tubs (smaller than kiddie pools). Currently we have three of them, and we fill them in the morning and refill maybe twice a day. The volume of water is small enough that it's easy to manage (and our ducks' pasture is next to the garden). We used a kiddie pool one season, and we won't go back to that. I know people say they empty it once a week, but I can't see doing that--it's a mess after a day. We've come to appreciate that the ducks do just as well in much lower volume water, and it's so much easier to manage.