Need Input on Modification

[DuckingPondscape]

I attached pictures. I have a 1200 gallon Aquascape Classic EDPM liner pond. It has a Classic seriers skimmer with a 2300- 5300 GPH 5-PL Vancs TSURUMI pump. There are 2 Aquascape Biofalls, a Classic Standard Biofall (filters up to 5000GPH) and a Classic Mini Biofall (filters up to 3000GPH), running into the pond with streams and 3 (1ft average) waterfalls in each stream to the pond, with the pond being under the bridge in the pictures, between the end of the streams. I bought the house with the pond having sat for almost 5 years. This spring I completely overhauled the pond. I emptied it completely, down to the last rock, there was a foot of sludge at the bottom. I pressure washed it, patched holes in liner and completely rebuilt the pump. It has now been running for over a month with 12 plants, two 4 inch koi, a 6 inch goldfish and two mallard ducks. They have not overrun my filtration yet but they are only 7 weeks. I want to ensure I have has much filtration as possible. Yes, I have read that people are so against ducks in ponds but I have come across several people that have successfully used bog filtration for ponds around a 1000 gallons. I know I need A LOT more plants, do to the nitrogen from the ducks. My dilemma is, my pond was already planned and installed by someone else. My question is, for those experienced and creative pond builders, which option would be best for me to achieve as much filtration as possible. Should I turn the big Biofall and river into a bog filter and keep the smaller Biofall as is? Should I turn both Biofalls and rivers into bog filters? Or would I be just fine with 2 Biofalls, capable of filtering 8000 gallons an hour, filtering only a 1200 gallon pond with a pump turning the pond over almost 3 times an hour? I have researched the concepts as much as I could so I decided to get the experts input. I am new to garden ponds so I look forward to learning. Thank you for your time.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome! I wish I could help you, but not my area of expertise. Yes, we do have several members on here who have ducks, so maybe they can help. @RobAmy

 

[GBBUDD]

I can't speak from experience with a pond , but I can speak from all the home work I have done before I started my build and from my years of aquarium keeping. Ducks are less of a problem then say turtles are. turtles are among the worst for spreading salmonella. as well as serval other wonderful diseases. I had as many as 8 shaft tail finches in an open fish tank where the bird droppings landed right into the water and the fish devoured it.
And as far as a bog is concerned they can be beautiful planting areas where very unusual plants can thrive and add to any landscape. Not to mention what they can do for the health of a pond. With the nice level area at the top would be a great spot for a bog. I look at it this way bio falls have there place but they can not filter out nitrates or phosphates the two leading causes of algae. Plants ie a bog need these to grow it's adrenalin for plants add all the water they could ever need and I don't see how you can go wrong with a well designed bog. time will tell if I am right with even my own. You will certainly have enough aeration.

 

[RobAmy]

Welcome and nice looking pond.

First off do not believe all the negatives on ducks and pond. I heard and was told to get rid of them, but I built my pond for wildlife not just for a water feature.

They do not stress the fish either, maybe the first few times one landed but now all the fish swim around the ducks feet.

My showcase under construction shows my setup

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/showcase/rob-amys-pond.7/#tab2

I have had no issues with wild Mallard ducks in my pond at all. I have had as many as 30 at times, granted that is when they gather and leave before winter. That many all the time may be a issue. I usually have 1-5 ducks everyday. Like already said you can not go wrong with a bog, they just work. My own setup I went with all Savio filters on my pond. I have 3 versatile filters and 1 waterfall filter and a skimmer.

Per Savio specs on the filters I use.

High load of fish in direct sunlight (For Ponds Up To): 2000 Gal
Low load of fish in shade (For Ponds Up To): 5000 Gal

They all have a filter pad which I clean now and then, the skimmer pad I rinse daily. They all use bio ribbon for the bio media except for the skimmer.

I figure I am about 8000 gph ( I would always figure less on the max specs of any company's filter systems) on filtration plus I have a 19ft stream that goes 6ft wide and is planted. So this also adds a bio filter. I have lots of movement also between the stream and the aeration. I have a good amount of plants too. I do get some algae but very little. In the spring I do get more algae until things catch up after winter.

I run 3 pumps that move approximately 8000 gph and my pond volume is about 3500 gallons.

Hope that helps. I for one love the ducks around, they come and go as they please and add a natural element to the pond. One year mamma duck had her ducklings at the pond everyday. That was a huge treat.

Meeting the Goldfish by A & R Photography, on Flickr

4k screen grab by A & R Photography, on Flickr

 

[j.w]

@DuckingPondscape

 

[Telion]

Welcome. I don't have any experience in this department but since you have them I would use them in conjunction with a big system. Maybe repurpose them. Unless you can and want to sell them locally.