How to make a DIY backyard duck pond that’s self-cleaning!

diy duck pond that's self-cleaning!

Why build a self-cleaning backyard pond?

Make your ducks happier and healthier, plus increase biodiversity. No ducks? A pond will still make you happier.

Staying clean?

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Financial expectations?

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Check out our plans, step-by-step photos & notes, plus materials list to see exactly how to build the pond, but here are the basics:

Step 1:

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Step 2:

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Step 3:

[{"selector":"#anim-7c09cbd3-1f6f-4f7f-b30f-3d77bfabca0a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9ba91bc-39de-4f7e-87c6-3f47d8008209","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.11681%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dive in!

Step 4:

[{"selector":"#anim-9f251eb6-bac8-407f-84f3-5045d0c51ad3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d277604c-3464-43fc-80a8-e36356736809","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-110.25641%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dive in!

Step 5:

[{"selector":"#anim-ba33e2bc-912b-449c-b42f-8f34794ad4bf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1d63bf13-15be-4fea-a924-6341d835ebd0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.11681%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dive in!

Step 6:

[{"selector":"#anim-826aaabb-0141-4572-b95e-8b28e14b94f7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f05ef4cd-1d36-4c50-a448-b062657eb2c3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-108.83191%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dive in!

Step 7:

[{"selector":"#anim-d137933f-7982-4c6c-9bc6-ee2f8ee83031","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29430c0c-f8bc-4ee0-ac48-57a0eb2b6f84","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.11681%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dive in!

Step 8:

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Step 9:

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keep in mind

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Step 10:

[{"selector":"#anim-55c7b2d9-e28e-40b3-99c8-adaba9637e94","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db2d7e88-d1d5-40c4-a8b9-07536b9a80c8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-109.68661%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dive in!

Dive over to our detailed pond guide!

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diy duck pond that's self-cleaning!

www.tyrantfarms.com

how to make a...

Why build a self-cleaning backyard pond?

www.tyrantfarms.com

Make your ducks happier and healthier, plus increase biodiversity. No ducks? A pond will still make you happier.

www.tyrantfarms.com

Staying clean?

www.tyrantfarms.com

Our pond uses a simple skippy biofilter system and beneficial bacteria. It’s aerated via waterfalls and bubblers.

Financial expectations?

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Making a 1,000 gal + pond isn’t easy or cheap. Expect ~75 hours of labor & $2,000 in costs (unless you have free rocks).

Check out our plans, step-by-step photos & notes, plus materials list to see exactly how to build the pond, but here are the basics:

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Step 1:

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Once you know WHERE you want your pond, get your utility lines marked (which is a free service), then mark out your pond.

Step 2:

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Dig your tiers and level the pond foundation.

Step 3:

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Cover tier floors with 1” sand, then install fabric underlayment, then install pond liner.

Step 4:

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Install pebble floors and rock walls, level by level — except in the waterfall area. (That comes last.)

Step 5:

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Set your filter/bog pond, which should be at least 50 gallons for a 1,000 gallon pond (especially if you have ducks).

Step 6:

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Plumb your pond, from the pond pump (we use a Laguna 2,900 Max Flo pump) up to and into the filter pond.

Step 7:

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Cut and place pond biofilter pads into the filter pond. Fill up filter pond then add cold or warm weather pond bacteria.

Step 8:

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Build out your waterfall. Cut out top section of your filter pond lip and make sure water can’t escape from sides or bottom of falls.

Step 9:

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Test it! Fill pond (ideally use dechlorinator), plug in pump, watch for leaks.

**keep in mind**

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It may take 2 weeks for the water to clear if the rocks are dirty (like ours were) - but it will clear up with time!

Step 10:

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HIGH FIVE! You (and your duckies) can step back, sip some lemonade, & enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Dive over to our detailed pond guide!

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Want to learn more or start planning your own pond?

keep in mind