I have been cleaning up my duck pond, and the submersible electric pump I have used to empty it so far really doesn't like the sludge that is left, and stops flowing.
Has anyone any suggestions for removing the rest of the water and sludge before refilling it? I suspect I will just have to put poly bags on my feet, go paddling and bail it out, but if there is an easier way suggestions are welcome.
The pond is about 3 metres by 2 meters, and about 18 inches deep. It is lined with a vinyl liner, so I have to be careful not to puncture it.
2006-09-15 06:00:33 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
There are 5 ducks and a drake.
I clean out the pond basically "when it needs it"
Last time I did it I syphoned the water out, but the syphon kept on getting blocked then, and there is a lot more sludge now.
Basically the pond is for the ducks to have fun.
They have an alternative source of water which is changed twice a day.
There aren't any kids around, so the party - although it sound fun isn't an option.
There is only 4 inches of water and sludge left, so it still looks like the poly bag and bucket option will be tomorrow mornings occupation.
2006-09-15 06:45:36 · update #1
an electric pump will be a vaccuum pump, and will clog like a hoover. You need an external pump that manipulates a hose, i think you can get attatchments for drills?
Ever seen a medical documentary, with a dialisis machine, or similar, a rotating disk pinches a hose, instead of a continuous vaccum, it replicates the heart pumping blood.
You might want to consider a wider apeture than normal hose, providing the drill gizmo provides for it.
Im sure ive seen them in tool/diy brochures, a pond supplier might now, if you describe it?
2006-09-15 06:09:25 · answer #1 · answered by ben b 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
YUCK
Be aware that your sludge prob contains a high level of fecal matter,,, and I do not think barefoot is the way to goooo
Rubber boots or better yet waders if the water is still too deep
Now you could trry holding or propping your pump up higher than the bottom so it can get more of the water out for you first
But I am afraid to remove the muck you will prob h ave to do by hand. You can not risk a shovel with a vinyl liner for sure.....
Buckets work well but make sure you bucket it into something as you dont want it sitting around near the pond either.
How many ducks do you hae and how often do you do this?
We also have ducks but only 2 and they swim in our backyard pool/pond... so it has a filter and we do not need to ever demuck as its also the family swimming pool but been dug inot the ground like a pond... its clorinated to tap water level and whie they cant use it in winter they love the summers in it
It wo ld not work if we had many more than 2 ducks though... I dont need to tell you how much poop they put out!
Do you have kids???? LOL
Maybe get everyone in there with buckets!!! Just make sure kids dont put hands in mouth until they are clean.
Have a pond party... everyone gets a bucket?
Another idea maybe....but not sure it would work
Put more water into it and have someone get in and walk and stir up the muck to it mixes with the water and keep them walking around and around while the pump is going to keep it stirred up. It should bw a fine silty material and would stir up in water if you have a willing person to do it but you may n eed to add more water to give it enough to make it less thick for the pump.
I wish you luck and hope any of t his helps!
Wismom
2006-09-15 13:17:04 · answer #2 · answered by Wismom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gently scrub it so that the sludge is removed from the walls and dissolves in water. Then either start the pump (you might have to clean it a couple of times to clear the sludge from the filter) or bucket it out.
2006-09-15 13:09:49 · answer #3 · answered by Halo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my koi pond gets sludge periodically, i pump it out as far as it will go then we go in with the buckets and bail it out, i haven't found any equipment to do this job for me I know it isn;t a fun job but think about how nice it will look when you fill it back up!
the sludge is really good for flower beds
Good Luck
2006-09-16 04:22:43 · answer #4 · answered by Loollea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know any friendly farmers you could ask one to suck the sludge up into a slurry tanker and spray it on a field for you.
If you do this be careful with the plastic.
2006-09-15 19:56:55 · answer #5 · answered by Twinchickens 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be a man Kate and get stuck in bare foot it washes off at the end of the day..
2006-09-15 13:03:11 · answer #6 · answered by martinsbits2000 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
think you are going to have to go paddling with a bucket and bags on your feet lol
2006-09-15 13:42:57 · answer #7 · answered by ♥fluffykins_69♥ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A realo good shop vac but you will have to empty it very often
2006-09-15 13:09:05 · answer #8 · answered by Jeep Driver 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try a bucket dear Henry ;-)
2006-09-15 13:02:41 · answer #9 · answered by Dancemomma 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I use a wet / dry vacuum. works great
2006-09-15 23:25:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋