Forums36
Topics40,963
Posts557,989
Members18,503
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
Five years ago we had our pond cleaned out and enlarged- 48'x60'x9' at the deep end. It has been leaking ever since, and now is pretty much dry, except for a few feet of muck at the bottom. We tried putting in about 15 fifty pound bags of Bentonite over the years, with no luck. We have had estimates from a few companies in Northern Virginia to repair it- from $3,000-$12,000!! My husband wants to fill it in. It is a natural spring fed pond, so does get full depending on how much rain/snow we get. Any recommendations?
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 238 Likes: 1
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 238 Likes: 1 |
If you can locate the leak which would likely be on the bottom you could fix it or you could buy a liner but that might defeat thethe purpose of a spring
0.7 acre pond stocked 2020, LMB, PS, YP.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
Thanks for your response. We thought the damn was failing, but now seems like the leak is at the bottom (also?) When the digger guy expanded the pond, he took about two feet of the damn out. The spring flows down a waterfall~ small hill from the springhouse 10-15' elevation above the pond. I read somewhere about bentonite liners, or do you mean a vinyl liner? Very interesting info on this Soilfloc~ wondering if it works on dry, cracked clay sides with a mucky bottom. It's a mess.
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
So, does it appear that you have another spring in the bottom?
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
If we do have another spring in the bottom, it's as dry right now as the one from the springhouse. The pond has been drying up faster lately as no decent rains here for a few weeks. I think the cracked clay shell on the top half is from the bentonite we put in~ about an inch or so thick, then underneath appears to be dark soil, not clay.
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
My thought is that springs are nothing more than aquifers. Depending on the level of the ground water, they both give and take.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
Well, the pond held water for nine years before the renovation... I think too much of the dam, or the clay shell bottom, or both, was removed at that time. Just wondering if a huge liner vs. reconstruction would be the least expense wise, or if we could try to do the repair ourselves with bentonite or Soilfloc. Don't mind getting my hands dirty to get some fish back in the pond again.
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
I've tried bentonite 4 or 5 times and have not been successful. But, I think I would personally try that before a liner.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
Do you know if the Soilfloc would work better than bentonite? My husband thinks all our wild animals would shred a liner- deer, black bear... big hooves. The pond is next to the woods, so it gets a lot of traffic. Even now when there's just a froggy mudhole.
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
Bentoniye, to work effectively, needs to be tilled into at least a foot of the soils, then well compacted with a sheepsfoot roller. Heavy equipment tracks compress less per square inch than a normal refrigerator will.
Soilfloc may be an option for you considering the relatively small size, but depending on pond builders near you, I would expect a "proper" renovation to be in the $3000-$6000 range. A liner would be much more, installed.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
|
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Soilfloc treatment would cost less than $400 if your dimensions listed above are accurate - I can also provide a Pond Boss discount. It's designed to work in hydrated, full ponds - bentonite is not designed to be used as such. Expect to pay at least $1/sq ft for liner. Feel free to PM me if you need some help with the sealant, advice from the other guys posted here is based on their personal experience and should be followed.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
Thanks for the input, Rainman. We just got some rain, so now it's got fresh water for our critters.
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
Thanks also, TJ. May try the bentonite on the bottom when it's dried out, and the Soilfloc next spring if the ponds not holding water. Appreciate all the advice!
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
|
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Till in the bentonite, then compact 3-4 6" lifts of clay with roller.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
OK, I follow tilling in the bentonite (although any idea how much, and would you recommend powdered or granulated?) then you lost me...
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9 |
Anyone know of a pond repair service in Northern Virginia? The pond is just about empty again, think we need professional help... Thanks.
glassmama628
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15 |
Soilfloc treatment would cost less than $400 if your dimensions listed above are accurate - I can also provide a Pond Boss discount. It's designed to work in hydrated, full ponds - bentonite is not designed to be used as such. Expect to pay at least $1/sq ft for liner. Feel free to PM me if you need some help with the sealant, advice from the other guys posted here is based on their personal experience and should be followed. How much would it cost for a 1 acre pond? Mine seems to be leaking under the damn best I can figure out.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
|
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,799 Likes: 68 |
Hi JD feel free to pm me I've been helping several forum members on leak projects with great success thus far. Happy to help however I can.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 13
|
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 13 |
EPDM Liners for Pond leaks and Fish Pond Repair. Pond pro 2000 is a 100% liquid EPDM and 100% compatible to your pond. Thanks
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,054 Likes: 12
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,054 Likes: 12 |
Soilfloc treatment would cost less than $400 if your dimensions listed above are accurate - I can also provide a Pond Boss discount. It's designed to work in hydrated, full ponds - bentonite is not designed to be used as such. Expect to pay at least $1/sq ft for liner. Feel free to PM me if you need some help with the sealant, advice from the other guys posted here is based on their personal experience and should be followed. How much would it cost for a 1 acre pond? Mine seems to be leaking under the damn best I can figure out. I spot treated my .6 acre pond with only 1 unit of SoilFloc (under 400$) and my measurements show it has slowed my leak roughly 6000 gallon per day. I'm only 1 month post treatment, but I'm shocked by the results so far. I plan to add 2 more units and see if I can seal my pond up even better.
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|