The Duck-ponics Experiment - Raising minnows

[Wifezilla]

Do you leave the pump running 24/7? Probably a fairly small pump, but do you notice a difference in the electricity bill? I wouldn't think they'd use that much energy, but I really don't know

We leave it running. With all the electronics my son leaves running 24/7, we have not noticed a big jump in the utility bill. Of course, we recently switched to CFLs, so it could just be a wash.

The new duckweed is on it's way. I also have the parts for a people food container. Once I get the duckweed going, I will put that in line.​

 

[psicorp]

So wifezilla you don't have to drain the pond, the filtration works good? That would be awesome, my neighbor builds ponds for a living and would be willing to help.

 

[Wifezilla]

The only ongoing issue appears to be sediment, but I am able to suck it up with a wet/dry vac without too much hassle. The muck then goes on the garden beds. There is algae on the sides and that will eventually have to be scrubbed, but I am honestly not too worried about that.

I do get water change over from evaporation (seriously...this IS in Colorado

) but I am using WAY less per day when I was doing fill and dump with the tupperware container. That was 10 gallons and I often filled that twice a day. I think may be adding 2-3 gallons on average per day now.

Not only do the ducks splash stuff out, but the local wild birds are using my pond as a water source (so much for biosecurity

) AND the cats think the water feature is a cat waterer!

 

[psicorp]

So cool, I am defiantly going to look into it myself. Filling and draining the sandbox is getting old.

 

[Wifezilla]

I bet!!!

I know dumping and refilling water over the winter was a real pain. I may need some kind of pond heater for next Winter though. I did have some freezing issues after I first set it up.

 

[CurlyLindsay]

I'm working on setting this up, although I don't intend to make mine look so pretty.

I set it up with an existing pump I had (extra sump pump) and it just pumped way too fast & hard. What duck wants to swim in a pond that will suck them into the filter?

So I got to hunting and found the Sunterra 450gph pump. I did my homework and this is the cheapest price: http://www.thehardwarecity.com/?sku=2852556 and ups delivered it 2 days after I ordered! It says 38 watt energy need- so I'm guessing that's like leaving a 40watt bulb on 24/7? Doable!

I'm really interested in seeing if I can keep the water truly clean in a 100 gallon pond, because I'd love to go larger scale IF the water can be maintain safe enough for my horses to drink.

 

[Wifezilla]

Feel free to post photos and observations here. The more of us trying things out, the better results we will all end up with.

 

[Mortimer]

Wow what a great thread. Thanks Wifezilla for posting such detail through the entire process.

We added six ducks to our flock of ~30 chickens this year and have been debating whether or not to dig a pond somewhere on our 4 acres. We have a few small areas (8x10ft or so) that are prone to collecting water anyway, wouldn't be to hard to dig them out a bit, throw a liner in one and call it our "duck pond."

We're slowly building up a fruit tree orchard and I know the ducks will help out on beetles & other pests if I can get them to hang around the fruit trees! Getting electricity out to that area could be a challenge, though.

Filtering a 1,500 gallon (give or take) pond has been my biggest concern. We have a kiddie pool we use for the ducks now but such a pain to dump/clean every day or two, man they dirty it up fast. Only six ducks now but will probably add more next spring. Plus, I know if we had a larger pond we'd have alot more visitors -- even with the kiddie pool we're using now there's a pair of mallards that flies over to visit and "hang" with our ducks almost every day.

Alot of great ideas in this thread, I love the idea if sticking a pond in my orchard & using the wastewater for my trees.

Thanks again!

 

[Anny]

I'd love to see picture of the plants in the water.

 

[Wifezilla]

I put the duckweed in the top of the large container Friday. Today, it is gone. Stupid me did not take in to account that Bungie, a rouen, has a much longer neck than any of the other ducks. He sure enjoyed the snack

Only I would have trouble growing an invasive weed.