Building a DIY Duck Pond

Introduction

• Attempt to build a duck pond.
• Weather: Rainy, making it a good day for digging.

Cost

• Duck ponds are expensive (~€200).
• Obtained a pond by negotiating with a neighbor for $20.

Research & Plan

• Inspired by Tyrant Farms: How to build a backyard pond with a DIY biofilter.
• Benefits:
  • Increased biodiversity (wildlife, insects).
  • Decreased pests (mosquitoes).
  • Biological filtration system.

Pond Design

• Main pond: Contains an energy-efficient pump at the bottom.
• Filter Pond: The pump pushes water to this pond for filtration.
• Filtration Process:
  • Starts from large filters to smaller ones.
  • Contains microbes to eat and filter out waste.
• Water Return: Flows via an artfully placed waterfall back to the main pond.
• Maintenance: Clean the pump quarterly.

Digging & Building the Waterfall

• Filter pond: Started digging.
• Ducks are interested and excited.
• Made a tentative waterfall setup with rocks.
• Weather conditions: Muddy and rainy, hampering filming.

Trying to Beautify & Plumbing

• Limited non-rainy hours to beautify the pond.
• Bought plumbing supplies, but fittings differ from U.S. standards.
• Help from a neighbor with pebbles.
• Ducks are active and flying around.
• Built a wall to deter ducks from biofilter pond.
• Added pond plants along water flow path.
• Planned to hide plumbing within landscaping.

Plumbing Installation

• Used PVC pipes with washers instead of glue.
• Set up outflow for biofilter pond.
• Still waiting for mesh bof filter and inoculant.
• Control switch: Stops icky solids from flowing back when the pump is off.

Testing the Pump System

• Initial setup with a Laguna pump (105W).
• Nervous about the pump operation.
• Encountered leaks and water balance issues; solutions needed.
• Persistent rain causing delays.

Indoor Projects

• Demolition of an old fireplace with the aid of a construction-savvy neighbor.
• Fireplace illegal and outdated: Replacing with an energy-efficient model.
• Cleanup and future plans: Save tiles for new fireplace foundation.

Final Pond Setup

• Corrected plumbing sizes after metric system mistakes.
• Finished setting up the pump and conducted a leak test.
• Awaited metal filter pads for full filtration setup.

Ducks in the Pond

• Ducks are settled in and enjoying the new pond.
• Adjustments still needed but overall satisfaction with the result.
• Future plans to improve aesthetics, possibly hiding plumbing.

Reflection

• Despite challenges, the project brought joy and learning.
• Treasured moments with the ducks.
• Gratitude for the journey and community support.