pond help!

Discussion in 'General Freshwater Information' started by oldfishkeeper, Apr 26, 2014.

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  1. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    Hi All: I have a pre-formed pond that is about 375 gallons or so. Well, I cleaned it all out and refilled it to discover there is a leak somewhere :-[ anyway, I've pulled it out of the ground and cannot locate a leak - does anyone have any ideas for me on how I can discover where the leak is?? I can't set it up on anything or it will tip over - I've tried holding it up to the sun to see if any light comes through in any spots no luck. I'm at a loss - I know there's a leak
     
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  3. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    Even when you find it .They are difficult to repair.Have you considered just throwing a pond liner in it??


    As for finding it you can try mixing colored chalk in the water and then look for it on the ground under the leak.;)
    It will also tend to build up/or clog around the leak on the inside.
     
  4. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    well, the chalk is an interesting idea :) I changed from a liner to the pre-formed because I like the look so much better given how small my area is- it's so much easier to clean and such - of course, this is the down side of that choice.
     
  5. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Are there fittings/bulkheads in the bottom of side? Sould they be the source?

    I think we need some pictures
     
  6. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    no bulkheads or fittings Todd. It's just like a big plastic swimming pool (obviously tougher material) that is set into the ground.
     
  7. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    I usually just use them for a while (until they start leaking) then just line them.
     
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  9. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    do you just use a regular pond liner? I would think it would be hard to get it to look smooth with the curves and ledges in the form.
     
  10. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    Lowes and Home Depot will probably have that rubberized spray that is supposed to stop leaks like that. From what i understand you spray it on like spray paint and it fills the holes/cracks.

    So if the chalk locates the leak for you this is a possible solution.
     
  11. chris adams

    chris adams Purple Tang

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    I have seen food coloring used to find leeks in pools. Google it and you will find some videos.. You are going to need a real brite food coloring though (probably a yellow) would show up on black background(then again assuming it is black).
     
  12. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    thanks for advice all! appreciate it. Thought I found the leak - taped it up and no luck - not the leak. so....will empty AGAIN and try a new method. the leak is higher than on the bottom where I thought I saw a small crack. So at least I've narrowed down the area.