The Duck-ponics Experiment - Raising minnows

[bikergirl]

Can baby ducks eat duckweed?

 

[Wifezilla]

I don't see why not. Float some in their water dish. I did this a couple of times for JJ & Bungie when they were in the brooder

 

[Wifezilla]

more snow. Most of my duckweed is dead. I thought that stuff was impossible to kill

Oh well, I will get more once this snow nonsense stops.

 

[JStark]

Wifezilla, thanks for all of this, and keeping us up-to-date. I am looking into a duckponics system, too, with catfish. However, I expect our system to be more of a one-way system, replacing 40 gallons/day in a 250 gallon pond, the extra 40 to come from the bottom of the pond and to go straight to the garden and trees. I want to avoid electricity, but I'm willing to compromise on a solar-powered aerator.

Right now, everything is in theory-land, but I'm designing a "pump" using our existing lawn sprinkler system, to use the water pressure to open two gates and a sprayer.

 

[Wifezilla]

Ohhh...good idea to use existing water pressure.

I would love to be off electric, but until I work out my system, I don't want an extra variable.

I am now thinking how to set up the people food containers. If I don't cover it somehow, I will have algae issues. Plus how do I keep the seedlings in place and keep them from drowning?

Here is what I have come up with so far...
Get a sheet of styrofoam.
Get some cheap strainers from the dollar store.
Cut holes in the styrofoam sheet so the strainers fit in the opening.
Fill the strainers with perlite and soil moist crystals.
Plant seedlings in the perlite mix.
Float the styrofoam on top of the water in the container.

Water will be fed in to the bottom of the container and bubble up until it hits the overflow opening. The styrofoam will have some give so it can adjust to changing water levels and still keep the strainer bottoms in contact with the water.

 

[Wifezilla]

I haven't done anything new with the pond lately but I did finally order some more duck weed.

I also tried using the shop vac to suck up some sediment. It worked pretty well. I dumped the muck on my garden bed, so I am basically getting free fertilizer.

I got a surprise while I was sucking up the muck. One of the feeder goldfish I put in their for the ducks to munch on months ago is STILL ALIVE! It scared the snot out of me...LOL

I was rooting around in the deep part of the pond and then I see this big orange thing dart out of the bottom... Not sure what it as been living on because I am not putting any food in the pond. Maybe the plants the ducks dump in there? I did find some worms when I took out the little filter in the bottom of the pond when I took it out because it was clogging.

I guess whatever I am doing, it can support fish life

This has to be one quick goldfish. I know darn well that Chrissy would gobble him up if she could catch him. If it's still around in a month I guess I will have to name it

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Goldfish are hardy, hardy, hardy. That little guy is surviving off of algae, plant matter, and mosquito larvae, as well as anything else it finds palateable. If you want him to live, you'll need to give him some hiding places, if not, I wouldn't name him. Things have a habit of being the first to die, after I name them.

It's good that he is in there, he'll help keep the mosquitos from being too rampant.

-Kim

 

[Wifezilla]

I bought a ceramic "coral" thing at Goodwill right around the time I got the gold fish. It's about 10" across. I bet that's where it has been hiding from Chrissy.

 

[jjdward]

I love this!!!

I will be trying this for my six ducks.
A few questions:
The bacteria, does that happen by itself or do you add it(whateve it would be)?
What would be the best kind of fish to put in the pond? I would love to have both ducks and fish.

Keep the updates coming!!!

 

[Wifezilla]

The bacteria builds up on its own. Just like when you have an aquarium.

"The first species of bacteria to appear on the scene in a new aquarium are Nitrosomonas species of bacteria that "feed" on ammonia, and convert it into nitrites. Nitrites are a little less-harmful than ammonia, but are still rather poisonous. Eventually, usually within two to three weeks, Nitrobacter species begin to cultivate. As the Nitrosomonas populations came first, it usually takes the Nitrobacter species a longer time to cultivate into a full population. Nitrobacters "feed" on nitrites and convert them into far less harmful nitrates. Many fish can tolerate relatively high levels of nitrates, but if nitrate levels get too high, fish will begin to suffer.

In nature, all of the nitrates produced by bacterial nitrification are consumed by plants, algae, other species of bacteria, and other organisms. In an aquarium as in nature, nitrates are used by plants and algae as food, and in some cases, are also converted by anaerobic bacteria into nitrogen gases. A so-called "balanced" aquarium, is one where the ratio of plants or algae to fish is balanced, so that all of the nitrates produced are converted or consumed, so no nitrates exist in the water. This is very difficult to achieve in practice, as such an aquarium will have very few fish, and that is not satisfying to most aquarium hobbyists. To control the nitrate levels in an aquarium, we do water changes. That is why water changes are so important. They lower nitrate levels before they get too high and become a hazard to fish."
http://www.aquariumpros.com/articles/biofiltration.shtml

As for what kind of fish....
Well, anything fast enough to get away from a hungry duck!

I guess if you put in hiding spots, you will improve the chances on whatever you do add to the pond. Just don't stock it with anything expensive. It very well may become a snack at some point.