put pond in sun or shade?

[CoriM]

Would anyone who has a duck pond speak to whether it would be better to build one in the sun or shade? I'd like to build a pond that's about 10x10, so not huge. I live in the Pacific NW. I could pick a shady spot or a sunny area. Will bacteria, or pond scum, anything like that, be more likely to grow in one location over the other? What would you prefer for your pond?

 

[Khaki mama]

I don't have a duck pond but I have a pond that's in the sun. And if you have cold nights or any time when your pond would freeze I would reccomend putting it in the sun so the ice could thaw out during the day and your duckies can go for a swim. But like I said before I have a big pond so I can't really help you out with the bacteria or scum question. But I guess if you don't have cold days you can put it in shade or sun. But shade would probably keep them cooler.

 

[Isaac 0]

Would anyone who has a duck pond speak to whether it would be better to build one in the sun or shade? I'd like to build a pond that's about 10x10, so not huge. I live in the Pacific NW. I could pick a shady spot or a sunny area. Will bacteria, or pond scum, anything like that, be more likely to grow in one location over the other? What would you prefer for your pond?

If you build the pond in shade there is a less likely chance of algae spores overcoming your pond, although it's not definite. Of course, if it's under shade, leaves, twigs will be falling into the pond so cleaning it up once and a while during the warm months may be advised to help prevent your ducks from eating decayed plant matter which may be laced with Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

 

[Matthewstee]

My two ducks like to be in the sun, so I would say sun, especially since ducks like to be warm.

 

[Isaac 0]

Do half sun and half shade then, ducks will want to be cool during the warmer months, and warm during the winter.

 

[cmom]

I have a pond. When I put it in nearly 20 years ago I didn't think about sun or shade. Most of the rime it is in the sun and then the algae. I do have a pump and filters. It does help but I still get the algae.

 

[cmom]

My two ducks like to be in the sun, so I would say sun, especially since ducks like to be warm.

 

[Matthewstee]

I would do half and half if you live somewhere cold, I live in a warmer area, so my ducks love to be warm.

 

[DuckyDonna]

where are you @CoriM? I'm in Georgia and most of the cold months I don't have a problem with algae but it's starting now. In the water buckets too! Keep it out of the sun if you don't want to be scrubbing the pool every day to get the algae off!

 

[CoriM]

I'm in WA state. Wow, I've always wondered what GA was like. I would love to see the south, it seems so pretty - and warm! We are temperate, with nice summers, but lots of rain for at least 6 months out of the year. I'm kind of thinking shade might be best for keeping the algae down. Thanks for your input.