Be cautious. ""I've decided to rent an excavator and dozer and finish it myself with a friends help. Ill save a ton of money this way.""
It sounds to me like your soil is a problem situation for a well sealed pond. By spending money to do it yourself, it may not work and you may have to end up hiring a professional to try and get a sealed pond. So our rental money may not a wise investment. I hope your idea works. And remember proper compaction will be the utmost importance for a sealed pond basin. Thinner lifts (4"-6") provide better compaction than thicker lifts(8"+). Vibratory sheepsfoot is the ultimate soil compactor. Soil sealing additives applied properly will provide some added benefits for a sealed pond basin.
I've given up on trying to seal the pond. I'm just trying to taper the slopes so that I can plant grass and make it look presentable.
