Just had a small pond dug out. They hit the clay about 9 feet down and spread it around. Its only about 2 weeks since it was made. I been filling with well water since, but not continuously. Some cold days made me caution and shut the pump off. Noticed the water level drop a few inches the first day and then a foot or so the next. So playing the fill game right now. Unsure if thats just the way it is with a new pond trying to settle out and pack down, or if there is already a problem with a leak. I know the muddy look is from the clay. Read a lot, heard a lot about using gypsum in the pond to clarify it. Even heard it could help seal it? But then i heard for sealing you use Betonite instead. So I thought the best thing to do, was seek out a forum and talk with folks that know what they are doing and quit believing everything I read on google. At this point, 2 weeks in should i use gypsum? i have some dry wall laying around, but if i did use gypsum believe a powdered form would be better vs the paper covered drywall? Can it seal as well? Or is Betonite a good answer for that? And should I hold off... as its only been 2 weeks. I haven't been able to fill it full yet... partially because of weather and my fear of burning out the well pump. So its only been 3/4 full so far. Or at least close to cresting as you see in the pick. If i should use either gypsum or betting... know where i could find it in the San Antonio TX area? Seems hard to find online. Seems to be plenty in Pennsylvania. Should i aerate? I put the stake in the middle and i thought if i ran it an hour or 2 a day that may be sufficient. That is if i ever get the pond completely full. I'm open to thoughts and i want all your opinions. New at this, and really at a loss of where to start. Thanks All! As you can see, really don't know what to ask first regards. John
Welcome to PBF! I am not a pro so won't even comment to most of your post. One thing I can offer is, if you have no fish, IMHO do not aerate till the water clears. The aeration kept things stirred up for me in my new pond. Once I shut it off for a few days, the water cleared right away. Great setting for a pond man. Pic looks great! Pros will be along to answer all your questions.
I would think the first thing the brains on the forum will tell you is to get a water test to tell you the alkalinity and hardness of your pond water. What depth is your water now and is it rain water or mostly well water. Also your fish supplier can point you in the right direction
Another non-pro here. Before I bot land for a pond, Bob Lusk advised me to get well water analyzed. Turns out I'll need gypsum treatment so I don't kill fish when I turn it on. Water analysis sounds over the top, but really is vital!
A second suggestion: If you turn off the well water, how much does the pond level drop? If more than an inch or so a day, and especially if more than 3 or 4 inches, I'd look for leaks. You may want to hold off buying expensive fish until this is checked out. Bentonite may be helpful in your case.
jdv, Nice dock, I like it. Lots of threads/discussions on compaction and clay, specifically in TX. I am an Ohio so can't offer a lot, they say TX dirt is an entirely different species.
The last one, Dave Davidson1 talks about suspended sand that he had mixed in with his clay that would stay for a while after a rain. Lot more threads than these. Good luck.
Google Search: clay texas compaction site:pondboss.com
I don't see any signs of compaction and on a pond that small I would guess you have a leak at a foot a day. On a pond that small it would probably be cheapest to use a polymer to seal it and that will clarify the water as well(assuming you don't want to drain it and recompact the whole thing).
Call Sandra and she might be able to help. Here's her info Sandra Miller Corporate Account Liaison Technical Rep Aqua Ben Corporation Hydrosorb, inc. A division of Aqua Ben Corporation 1390 N. Manzanita St. | Orange, Ca 92867 cell: (619) 312.7777 | fax: 714.771.1465 | email: smiller@hydrosorb.com | smiller@aquaben.com
Do a search for polymers on the forum and you will find other who have used it as well. There is also another manufacturer out of Australia but I found them to be about 8 times the price.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill
Thanks All. If i shut off the well water like i did last 2 days due to weather in the 30's the pond dropped about a 1 ft. may ft and half. today i turned it back on before i left for work and its back filled up to where it was just about. i reckon tomorrow it will be down again a few inches or notches on that t stake i got in the middle. i just didn't know with a new pond how long it takes the ground to settle if it does take time to settle before i go buying and spending money on bentonite. wasn't sure if i should give it a week or two or a month. the dozer guy that builds these stock tanks regular says a month is usual before you see constant steady leveling out of water and minimal loss. this pond is located in Adkins TX just east of San Antonio. I will get well water tested for the hardness and alkalinity, but what would be the norm for good water for fish? So i know what I am shooting for.
Have you walked around your pond a ways out to see if you see any type of seepage? If there is none then more than likely your water is going straight down and out? Does your water go down to a certain spot and then quit? In this type of weather you should not have that much water drop from evaporation or anything else. It's for sure a leak just a matter of where?
From what I have read new ponds do take time to settle and seal up how long you say? I don't really know that. Are you sure you hit good clay?
I have heard good and not so good of things out of Bentonite... some will say it works others will say it kinda worked... so not sure what to tell you there.
If it was my pond I would stop pumping water to it and see exactly how far this water will drop if at all. That way you could at least know at what level around the pond to start looking for a leak. If it drains all the way down to just a puddle the your problem is in the bottom of your pond I would guess.... I too though am no expert in pond leakage or new ponds just trying to give you some ideas. Keep us posted as to what you find out!
RC
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
At this point, 2 weeks in should i use gypsum? i have some dry wall laying around, but if i did use gypsum believe a powdered form would be better vs the paper covered drywall? Can it seal as well? Or is Betonite a good answer for that? And should I hold off... as its only been 2 weeks. I haven't been able to fill it full yet... partially because of weather and my fear of burning out the well pump. So its only been 3/4 full so far. Or at least close to cresting as you see in the pick. If i should use either gypsum or betting... know where i could find it in the San Antonio TX area? Seems hard to find online. Seems to be plenty in Pennsylvania. Should i aerate? I put the stake in the middle and i thought if i ran it an hour or 2 a day that may be sufficient. That is if i ever get the pond completely full. I'm open to thoughts and i want all your opinions. New at this, and really at a loss of where to start. Thanks All! As you can see, really don't know what to ask first regards. John
![[Linked Image]](http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=11852&filename=I_subscribe_zps2qlyoyn2.gif)
so not sure what to tell you there.
