Cal, I love the video! But I have to wonder if you're maybe growing algae in the filter, that is, in addition to filtering it from the water?

That's such a great project. The video made me want to see the ducks pushing each other off the raft.

Hi cal, so nice to see your back and luv the videos. Keep them coming! The plants are all about to take off in a few weeks the pond will be another nature exhibit to enjoy all season.

The only suggestion for clearing up the pond scum..add more moving water will add oxygen to the water and larger pond bio filters. Gold fish are air suckers and luv mud do not require a lot of oxygen in the water to survive. Pond lilies need still water and I see you have set aside a place for them. If the pool skimmer is used it only removes surface debris. Was the pool filter a DE filter originally ? Adding clay per directions designed for ponds ...its a fine particulate will bind to floating water particles and clean up the water and pond additives will help keep the pond balanced as well as bio filters adequate to filter the size of your pond. The filter shown in the video may be a bit small. Add two or three bio filters if needed, once balanced you'll never need to clean out the bio filter until fall. Check pond water if to alkaline or acid. Some duck poo can play havoc with water balance if circulation is not enough for the pond size. They are great on bug patrol.

There probably isn't anything new here that you have not already tried. Sometimes ponds just have a mind of their own . I can't tell you how many times when first learning I had to drain all the water out to clean out the scum and start over until I added bio filters and oxygen/ oxygenators or water falls or both to the water. The UV filter could be killing the good water bacteria as well as the bad? It's a delicate balance.

A quick factoid...did you know laughing gas is made from pond scum?

The weather is wacky here it's 90 degrees in the PNW coast we rarely reach temps that high, and it's snowing in Colorado . My son lives in Winter Springs FL. and he's always in shorts year round. My cousin in Mass. is just now starting spring and way to much rain. Fire season is here already 6 weeks early.
It's already getting busy and spring just started here like summer. Yikes!

Wow, a waterfall! That would be gorgeous!

Bumpl, I'm in MA. Yup, it's been raining Seattle style for quite some time. Also been much colder than usual for this time of year. I'm fine with it as I don't like heat or humidity, but it is strange.

Hope you all will stay fire-free.

I'm with you Joanna the heat just makes me feel like I was run over by a steam roller... totally ! Just not used to temps in the 90's. It's hard on the horses too, so I have attached misters in the barn to help them keep cool. Put the misters on the back porch also helps to keep cool 😎! The plants palms especially like it.

Summer will catch up to you soon.... and keep fire season at bay!

Bea

MoonShadows said:Hi Cal,
What kind of lizard is that in the beginning of the video?
...
What do you do, chase the ducks with that Tumbler?
Nice tour!
Talk soon.

Jim

We call them "fence lizards" or "blue bellies" (males). Very smart (as lizards go).
As soon as you feed them, they see you as their BFF.

re Tumbler.....I don't chase them, just let them know it's there on patrol.
The ducks are very smart, and learn quickly.
When they wander too close to the lily/lotus shallow end, it just takes 1/2 second buzz
of the motor to remind them of the pond rules.
Here is a test run, having fun learning the controls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

See these 2 boys do an about face when I activate the Tumbler.
https://youtu.be/KGoq20-Qqpk

joannakat said:Cal, I love the video! But I have to wonder if you're maybe growing algae in the filter, that is, in addition to filtering it from the water?
That's such a great project. The video made me want to see the ducks pushing each other off the raft.

Algae doesn't grow in the filter, as it's a plant, and there's no light in the filter.
I'll have to search for footage of them playing King of the Raft.

bumplbea said:Hi cal, so nice to see your back and luv the videos. Keep them coming! The plants are all about to take off in a few weeks the pond will be another nature exhibit to enjoy all season.

The only suggestion for clearing up the pond scum..add more moving water will add oxygen to the water and larger pond bio filters. Gold fish are air suckers and luv mud do not require a lot of oxygen in the water to survive. Pond lilies need still water and I see you have set aside a place for them. If the pool skimmer is used it only removes surface debris. Was the pool filter a DE filter originally ? Adding clay per directions designed for ponds ...its a fine particulate will bind to floating water particles and clean up the water and pond additives will help keep the pond balanced as well as bio filters adequate to filter the size of your pond. The filter shown in the video may be a bit small. Add two or three bio filters if needed, once balanced you'll never need to clean out the bio filter until fall. Check pond water if to alkaline or acid. Some duck poo can play havoc with water balance if circulation is not enough for the pond size. They are great on bug patrol.

There probably isn't anything new here that you have not already tried. Sometimes ponds just have a mind of their own . I can't tell you how many times when first learning I had to drain all the water out to clean out the scum and start over until I added bio filters and oxygen/ oxygenators or water falls or both to the water. The UV filter could be killing the good water bacteria as well as the bad? It's a delicate balance.

A quick factoid...did you know laughing gas is made from pond scum?

The weather is wacky here it's 90 degrees in the PNW coast we rarely reach temps that high, and it's snowing in Colorado . My son lives in Winter Springs FL. and he's always in shorts year round. My cousin in Mass. is just now starting spring and way to much rain. Fire season is here already 6 weeks early.
It's already getting busy and spring just started here like summer. Yikes!

Thanks Bea for the info.
The fish fountain in back recycles >3000 gal/hr to help keep the deep end from getting
too anaerobic. I may siphon off some of the water from ~8 ft deep to remove dead alge, etc.
and the toxic anaerobic byproducts, e.g. H2S & methane.

The filter pump moves ~1500 gal/hr, and the UV pump ~1000/hr.
I only use the original pool pump to keep the spa clean....I isolated the
spa from the pond using the valves.

I put a pvc framed trampoline on the spa to keep the ducks & leaves out.
They hop in sometimes to dabble.

The pond doesn't smell bad at all (unless you dredge up the muck on the bottom).
I've tried bioballs in the past, and haven't found them to work, at least for a 15,000 gal pond.
The floating plants, e.g. hyacinths, water lettuce, and the iris islands do the most work to
remove excess nutrients from ducks & fish.

I'm a retired medical microbiologist, and not worried about killing good bacteria....there will still be plenty left.
The UV clarifier has helped slow down the algae growth, and will not sterilize the pond.

I've thought about adding another filter, but it would be twice the work.
More work = less fun.

By July the pond should be 2/3 covered by plants, and reach an equilibrium
that works for the ducks, fish, plants, and us.

More to follow in a day or so.

Cal, that first video is hilarious. You're such a boy!

Shore patrol!

joannakat said:Cal, that first video is hilarious. You're such a boy!

Thanks, Joanna! As adults we should always have an inner kid.
Besides, I always wanted a remote control boat, and this was my perfect excuse!

MoonShadows said: Shore patrol!

Just this morning. =)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

BTW, when it popped up, it landed in this pot of taro, & got "dry docked" as my DW, Ginger, put it.

HAPPY Mother's Day to all you Moms.
Very special people.

Howdy Cal,

Wow a retired microbiologist then you know the drill. The pond doesn't look nearly as green as it did a couple days ago. Nice to see it cleared up so nicely.It's a delicate balance. The fountains adds movement and has a calming effect. Great for summer parties.I wouldn't be surprised if you added a dancing fountain. solar lites....I enjoy your humor, talent and videos. So nice to see how the ducks enjoy their home, they are so comical.
The red roses are gorgeous and the floating pots lovely, you have a knack for designing ponds and all the plants added are all so well thought out .

Today the pond looks fantastic and the ducks are well trained with a little remote boat !

And thank you for the M DAY greet.

Have a nice week!

bumplbea said:Howdy Cal,
Wow a retired microbiologist then you know the drill. The pond doesn't look nearly as green as it did a couple days ago. Nice to see it cleared up so nicely.It's a delicate balance. The fountains adds movement and has a calming effect. Great for summer parties.I wouldn't be surprised if you added a dancing fountain. solar lites....I enjoy your humor, talent and videos. So nice to see how the ducks enjoy their home, they are so comical.
The red roses are gorgeous and the floating pots lovely, you have a knack for designing ponds and all the plants added are all so well thought out .

Today the pond looks fantastic and the ducks are well trained with a little remote boat !
And thank you for the M DAY greet.
Have a nice week!

Hi Bea,
hope you had a great M's Day.
Glad you are enjoying the videos, etc. The pond has been the most satisfying
& rewarding gardening project ever.
The play of light & shadow, ducks coming & going, plants moving around on
the rafts....it changes constantly throughout the day (and night).

We have a computer monitor with the video taping most of the day & night in the bedroom so we can
keep tabs. The security camera was a great investment, and has allowed us
to see things we'd have missed.

Today I plan to create a fountain with a brass fitting I ordered yesterday on Amazon
...1 day shipping. =O

We had a fountain that sprayed in the shape of a bell last year....then one that I made out of PVC.
Hope this one will create a nice pattern & aerate the water even more.

BTW, I forgot to mention earlier......we went camping in the desert (Blair Valley ~70 mi away)
Wed~Fri, and when we got home, I was horrified to see one of the new lotus pots GONE! :crying:

My first thought was, "Those $%& ducks!" I didn't leave the video taping while we were gone,
so only have circumstantial evidence, but I'm pretty sure someone was chasing someone else,
and they climbed over the pot & sank it.

Thankfully, it sank straight down ~4 ft. I couldn't see it, but used a little rake to snag the green
plastic fencing I'd put around it to (supposedly) keep ducks from getting into the pot, on purpose or
accidently, and drag it into shallower water.

It had been tethered well away from the fountains, so it couldn't have inadvertently
floated under a fountain.

Anyway, I had to jump in (65F) to raise it up & tip out enough water to float it again. The lotus had
put out enough roots to anchor it, so the only damage was the largest leaf got a bit shredded,
but otherwise seems OK, and a smaller leaf is unfurling days later. I may add some more dirt,
but am just letting it recover for now.

So I moved both lotus to the corner in the shallow end, and tethered them to the coving.
At least if they sink, it will be easier to rescue them.

I also took out some of the water in each of the 3 tubs so they float higher, but will probably have to
add some extra floatation to prevent them from sinking again. I was surprised that the one sank
as I thought it was enough floatation even if it got swamped. It's all an experiment, trial & error.

Lots of fun, though.

Cal, I really love the surrounding landscaping in your yard too. It's like an oasis. Gorgeous.

Cal your duck adventures are too funny! As a devoted plantsman, a tear or two when beloved plants take a dive you seem to come to the rescue.
As they say it's all in a days work with a living breathing experiment that always inspires something new and many more adventures to come. Can't wait to see the new water feature and night lights. Your having way too much fun! Next... maybe a drone to wrangle anxious ducks... just sayin

bumplbea said:Cal your duck adventures are too funny! As a devoted plantsman, a tear or two when beloved plants take a dive you seem to come to the rescue.
As they say it's all in a days work with a living breathing experiment that always inspires something new and many more adventures to come. Can't wait to see the new water feature and night lights. Your having way too much fun! Next...maybe a drone to wrangle anxious ducks... just sayin

The ducks are like our children, who as any parent knows, can be challenging to keep from innocently breaking
things. They just need a little "guidance" here & there to know the limits.

I was hoping to get the new fountain up & running today, but decided I needed to add another pump for it.
It's coming Wed, but we're off to the desert again W~F, so may have to wait till the weekend.

I'll have to make the lotus pots more duck-proof, though not sure how yet.

"Just another day on the farm" as we like to say.

Enjoy your trip, and bring back lots more lovely slides!
I can't tell you how important pumps are for projects. The right pump for the job.I have one huge pump for 20 years now in the same pond. It was spendy but well worth it.

To keep ducks out of the floating plants maybe try a water motion detector, works on the raccoons, deer and heron around here.

Absolutely in suspense waiting for new water feature!

bumplbea said:Enjoy your trip, and bring back lots more lovely slides!

I started to gather the pics from last week's desert trip for a slideshow, and hope to have it
ready tomorrow. We found the best spot yet....secluded, but full of interesting plants, rocks,
still-lifes, and great views.

I can't tell you how important pumps are for projects. The right pump for the job.I have one huge pump for 20 years now in the same pond. It was spendy but well worth it.

What model of pump? The new pump I ordered delivers 9 ft of head, and 1060 gph.....~17 gal/min.....
that should make a nice sized fountain. I'll connect it to the fountain with a 1" hose, and then use
1" PVC elbow with a float & anchor to stabilize it, and let the fountain nozzle float just above the water.
I'll take pics to show what I mean.

To keep ducks out of the floating plants maybe try a water motion detector, works on the raccoons, deer and heron around here.

I'll look for one.....the Tumbler works well, but I can't be there 24/7 to use it.

Absolutely in suspense waiting for new water feature!

The ducks loved the last one, swimming under & through it.

Here's a 1 hour video of duck mayhem. Just a typical morning.
"Who's On First???"
It starts at 05:17 in IR mode, silent & unedited.

One boy lands before dawn....then a female, then they leave, more come in, and then I lost track of who's who.
And the crows are oblivious to it all as they scarf down the Alpo I put out for them.

We decided to go to the desert next week, so we could enjoy the rain here (tomorrow).
That allowed me to set up the new fountain
https://youtu.be/X5Mzpa4Ayz4

One of the new ducks has a damaged beak. He seems to be able to eat OK, preens himself, etc,
but get picked on by some, and is a little weak, i.e. can't get up onto the coving as easily as he
should. He knows me, and doesn't fly off when I have to change the filter, etc.


Today, he found a friend who ran interference for him when another duck came in and started
pushing him around. His friend got between him and the bully.
Here his friend goes mano a mano, i.e. beak to beak, with the bully, and puts him in his place.
https://youtu.be/B9aTPjG0XaM
Then things settle down, and there's a truce.

I also try to give him some backup by going out to distract the other ducks,
especially if they are keeping him from the food bowl. I have 4 bowls around
the pond to give everyone a chance to eat.

He usually sticks around after everyone else has taken off.

I hope his beak will heal, though looks like a possible infection.
At least he has food and a safe place here as long as he wants or is able.

Here he is yesterday on the new iris raft/island


Mallards have no sense of humor, but are fun to watch.
Never a dull moment.

Cal, you should call animal rescue. They'll come over and take him, fix him right up and release him. They're very good with things like this.

joannakat said:Cal, you should call animal rescue. They'll come over and take him, fix him right up and release him. They're very good with things like this.

Thanks, Joanna. I might do that if he can't fly.

He's not disabled & isn't here all the time, so
trying to catch him is not an option for now.

Out here, they come when you call if they possibly can. I had a squirrel thing and they were here in 10 minutes. That's, of course, if they're nearby.

Good luck!