People that have used this product are raving about it's success but I have never seen it mentioned on the board. Seems to be better than bentonite or anything else for that matter.
http://www.polymerinnovations.com.au/solutions/dam-pond-sealants/
Before purchasing, I'd ask them for a list of customers here in the USA that have used their product with success. I'd contact the ones that have used it at least 2 years previously to make sure that it's a long time fix, and not one that lasts a year or so like some of the other products that people here have used.
And if you do use, please, please, PLEASE, come back and give us an update on it. Whether it be good or bad. I am sure it would benefit many out there to know.
This product does sound very interesting, especially given credence by the weight of the other polymers these guys carry! This may be an experiment worth trying if it does in fact leave my fish alone.
Just surprised the Pond Boss community has not heard of it or used it as it has been around a while. I still leak a lot, but not quite as bad with the patch job.
Any members here use the product with success? First hand reports would be good.
Well, I may have to give it a go, and do a full report. For the price for the seepage control vs. construction or re-construction it is no harm done:
http://stores.ebay.com/Polymer-InnovationsI have seeps, leaks, etc. The tough part is waiting for a full pool to apply. May have that this week, maybe not.
Just for fun I sent them a message about my pond. (1 ac in sand, 18' deep) I'll post their reply.
The stuff is cheap enough to try.
Surprising lack of independent reviews or reports on the product, which is actually a good thing. Typically people only post on a product if it didn't meet expectations. I wouldn't be here for example unless my pond leaked to begin with.
I am likely going to give this a try, and have the following thoughts and questions:
1. Does it negatively effect swimming during the sealing process? (Picking it out of teeth doesn't seem pleasant)
2. Does it leave unsightly residue at the waterline and below if the pond does loose water?
3. Does plant life such as algae, chara, and lilies prevent good sealing? Does it need to be removed?
4. What time of year is it best applied?
5. Water temperature?
6. Will future rooted plants such as lilies break the seal? Can they even be planted?
7. If the material is bio-degradable, how does it offer a "permanent seal?"
From what I can see from a scant few pictures is it does leave a residue, it almost looks like cellophane. So it seems the material lays down as slimy cellophane, and gives you a plastic liner. Depending on the type you order (seep vs leak) is how gloopy it becomes when wet.
I would suspect this wont seal ground-water ponds where water flows both in and out of the soil. It may stop it from going out the first season, until it starts coming in and it blows the liner. Then again if it does what it claims, it gets deep into the porous soil, binds, and clogs it up. Maybe it will... I wonder if you need to apply it to ponds like this by pumping water into the pond while applying it to have positive pressure.
Some other thoughts are: I wonder if bottom feeders like catfish cannot get dinner for a while, same with smaller fish like FHM as the layer of goop separates them from dinner. Also my tie up and choke off many invertebrates living in the pond mud. You probably only want to treat the suspected leaky areas and not the entire pond or you can damage the ecosystem.
The largest deterrent for me would be the loss of a swimming season if it needs to be applied warm. Second would be the residue, but if it disappears over time, no big deal.
I am going to send them these questions and/or call on the phone for more details.
Let us know what they say. I read their website, and it looks like plant life will affect the application, as will muck/silt.
What's the time difference between the Eastern/Central time in the USA and Australia?
Here's their contact information, and a name/phone number:
Brett Nichols
Client Manager
Polymer Innovations Pty Ltd
PO Box 431, Singleton, NSW 2330
Ph: 02 6571 5177
Fx: 02 6571 2505
Thanks for the contact info. I deal regularly with a company (Altium) which was based in Australia before it moved to China so I usually call first thing in the morning, around 7AM which is the end of a late day for them.
I may have some work to do raking out some chara and removing two Christmas trees on my dam side in prep for application, making a mess of the water quality for a bit, but if it works, it will be worth the effort. I noticed all videos showed application to relatively new water basins, or ones recently cleaned out. None appeared to have vegetation apart from some grass.
I received a message from them, but there is a confidential disclaimer on the bottom, and I am not sure if I can share it.
The basic answers are:
1. Does it negatively effect swimming during the sealing process?
Give it 2 days or so to settle before swimming, swimming will not ruin the process.
2. Does it leave unsightly residue at the waterline and below if the pond does loose water?
Some beads and materials may be seen at first until it mixes with the natural materials.
3. Does plant life such as algae, chara, and lilies prevent good sealing? Does it need to be removed?
It must be removed prior to application to be effective. (This makes it tough for me, lots of chara)
4. What time of year is it best applied?
As long as not frozen. Needs 4 feet of water pressure above leak to work.
5. Water temperature?
As long as not frozen.
6. Will future rooted plants such as lilies break the seal? Can they even be planted?
Plants and shrubs can cause another leak, but can be re-patched with their sealant when removed (I wonder if this helps with rotted-out root holes?)
7. If the material is bio-degradable, how does it offer a "permanent seal?"
Material remains in soil for 10-12 years, after that the assumption is the captured silt will remain indefinitely keeping the seal.
Personally I don't think the product has been around long enough to make the "permanent" claim, but if you re-develop a leak in 10 years, buy some more and re-apply. Still far cheaper than a pond dam re-work.
It will probably be late in the summer/early fall before I am allowed to spend more money on the pond, so no first-hand reports unless I come up with the scratch some other way.
I am a landscaping contractor and one of my suppliers uses this company for soil stabilization polymers. I asked them about the company and they have a good relationship with them. I don't know if that helps.
Its nice to know this product is out there. I may use it on my new pond as prevention. What is the cost, I don't see it on there home page?
They sell through Amazon and E-Bay. ~$350 a large bucket depending on the bid.
From a practical standpoint, just how much would it take? Assume a 1/4 acre pond. How heavily would I have to spray? Can I use a 1 gallon garden pump up sprayer? Would it stop up/clog at the tip?
Does the soil have to be free of water or can it be used on an existing pond and find a leak?
How about a dam that wasn't initially cored or poorly cored? Can it find a leak if I have a general idea of the source?
This stuff is intriguing but laymen like most of us would need more info.
Sounds like bentonite granules to me.
Well, My pond is losing 1"-2" a day so I ordered the polymer pond sealer. Should be here next week. Ordered enough to seal the entire 3/4 of an acre. She also threw in a couple flock tablets for me to try. I will keep you posted on the results. If this works as claimed this could be a powerful tool for you pond builders. It was $16,000 cheaper than ess-13 and $7000 cheaper than polymer innovations.
Ooo, that is exciting. Perhaps a good thing that I waited.
Polymer update.
I went up on Friday and applied the product as directed. I was losing about an inch a day which equates to about 25,000 gallons a day. It was leaking through the dam where the drain pipe came through. By Saturday it looked like things had stabilized. I just got a call from a friend up there(Tuesday) and he has been monitoring the pond. He said the level has not dropped at all since Saturday. To be fair, I do have a hose running into the pond which is contributing about 5000 gallons a day. I will be turning it off soon so I can monitor actual losses. So far it looks very promising. I will keep you posted.
Also, It says to apply with no wind but I had a small breeze. Now I know why. Some of the produce stayed on top of the water and the wind blew it to one end creating a concentration of Slime that ended up killing quite a few minnows. I assume they died from suffocation because the product turned into elephant snot once it touched the water.
Polymer update.
It was leaking through the dam where the drain pipe came through.
Are you sure you don't have water working around your drain pipe? Does it have a collar on it?
Interesting stuff. Keep us posted.
Yes, it has 2 collars on it. But it ran through a sand vein. I think that is where the leak is coming from
How is it looking now? I am glad you gave it a shot and it seems positive. Also thanks for letting us know about the wind. That may mean I have to wait until spring now, as this time of year the wind never stops around here!
Ok. Keep posted on this one. I've got a half empty 1/2 acre pond and I need some practical solutions.
How is the sealer working out? I have a pond that leaks
Anyone else have any luck?