My husband finally had a chance to make our ducks a permanent pond. It has an awesome gravel ramp and a faucet drain to make water changes super easy!
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Supplies:
stock tank
faucet drain
retaining wall blocks
river pebbles
flat paver
various larger rocks
hole saw (for drain)
Steps:
Use flat pavers to create a solid foundation for the stock tank to sit on. Set the stock tank onto the pavers and make sure it is level. This will ensure that it fills all the way up to the edge.
Use stacking wall blocks to create the inner and outer curved walls of the ramp. Make sure to get the bottom row level, then start stacking the next layers. Use a flat paver turned on its edge to block the end that will meet up with the stock tank. This paver will hold back the river pebbles.
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Put the stock tank in place. Then begin adding dirt to the ramp to create a gradual slope up towards the pond. Tamp the dirt until it is firm.
For the drain: We talked to someone at our local feed store to select the proper hardware to create our drain. You only need a few simple parts and a hole saw to add it to the stock tank. You may even be able to find one that already has a drain.
Add rocks below the faucet drain, if desired. Then begin filling the pond with water.
Add the river pebbles and tamp them firmly to hold them in place. We had to add a few large rocks towards the bottom of the ramp to help keep the pebbles from falling into the grass.
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It took awhile to convince all three ducks that the pond was awesome. But now that they have gotten the hang of it, they rarely leave the water. :)
Our pond was designed to be easily drained using the faucet. Then you can remove it to hose it out and clean it. If you find that debris and feathers block the drain you may want to add a screen over the drain opening.