Removing colloidal bentonite - 01/29/19 08:50 PM
I'll start by saying that I've read every muddy water thread on the PB forums and haven't seen anything that specifically addresses my somewhat unique situation, at least in a way that my Lamont brain is able to process, so I'm going to ask it.
My little puddle has not yet completed filling, so for ease of figuring let's say current volume is .1 acre x 10' deep = 1 acre/foot of water.
I used a healthy amount of sodium bentonite while re-coring the dam after I finished de-mucking/making deeper. The water that's in there now has a distinctive dark gray coloration to it. After a big rain it will turn a more typical reddish-brown from the clay that washes in, but that clears in just a few days returning the water to the previous gray coloring. (the problem)
I have not yet stocked anything - no forage, no fish. That will begin this spring. (nothing to kill)
I've place 125 ton of crushed limestone in the basin and along one bank, and will be lining the inside face of the dam as weather and ground conditions permit. (adequate buffer)
I've seen postings here and elsewhere that state hydrated lime, applied in sufficient amounts, will turn water gin clear. Would it be effective (and practical), given the statements above, to spread hydrated lime on top of the ice in order to floc the suspended bentonite? (the first question)
Assuming the answer to the first question is "yes" or "it depends" how much hydrated lime would I want to use in this situation? (the second question)
The pros as my limited understanding allows me to see them:
1)Cost - Hydrated lime is $12/bag vs aluminum sulfate at $34.75/bag.
2)Effort - Scattering a few hundred pounds of dry material on the ice will be much less work than mixing and pump-spraying 2000 or more gallons of alum slurry into the water after the pond thaws out.
3)Weather - I want to accomplish the floc treatment before I stock fish, and right now there is good ice to work on.
The cons as my limited understanding allows me to see them:
1)Derp - It won't work.
I'm interested in your thoughts. If it's a stupid idea just say "Hey Lamont, ya big dummy! That's a stupid idea and it won't work." If it's an "it depends" idea I'm willing to spend a couple bucks and be the crash test dummy who tries it.
My little puddle has not yet completed filling, so for ease of figuring let's say current volume is .1 acre x 10' deep = 1 acre/foot of water.
I used a healthy amount of sodium bentonite while re-coring the dam after I finished de-mucking/making deeper. The water that's in there now has a distinctive dark gray coloration to it. After a big rain it will turn a more typical reddish-brown from the clay that washes in, but that clears in just a few days returning the water to the previous gray coloring. (the problem)
I have not yet stocked anything - no forage, no fish. That will begin this spring. (nothing to kill)
I've place 125 ton of crushed limestone in the basin and along one bank, and will be lining the inside face of the dam as weather and ground conditions permit. (adequate buffer)
I've seen postings here and elsewhere that state hydrated lime, applied in sufficient amounts, will turn water gin clear. Would it be effective (and practical), given the statements above, to spread hydrated lime on top of the ice in order to floc the suspended bentonite? (the first question)
Assuming the answer to the first question is "yes" or "it depends" how much hydrated lime would I want to use in this situation? (the second question)
The pros as my limited understanding allows me to see them:
1)Cost - Hydrated lime is $12/bag vs aluminum sulfate at $34.75/bag.
2)Effort - Scattering a few hundred pounds of dry material on the ice will be much less work than mixing and pump-spraying 2000 or more gallons of alum slurry into the water after the pond thaws out.
3)Weather - I want to accomplish the floc treatment before I stock fish, and right now there is good ice to work on.
The cons as my limited understanding allows me to see them:
1)Derp - It won't work.
I'm interested in your thoughts. If it's a stupid idea just say "Hey Lamont, ya big dummy! That's a stupid idea and it won't work." If it's an "it depends" idea I'm willing to spend a couple bucks and be the crash test dummy who tries it.