not sure if im in the right forum but here goes.My pond is almost 3.5ft deep and it is leaking about 2ft in a day and a half.I filled it back up and same thing.It stops about with a foot of water in it.If the liner was leaking would it have the hippo effect with that much water
leak
- Thread starter dewser
- Start date
does the water stop draining with a foot of water left in the pond? if it stays that way for 24 hours then your leak is somewhere in that area where the water no longer continues to drop if it is a liner leak. it could also be in thee plumbing
By hippo effect I assume that means floating liner? Hadn't heard that term before. If you do mean floating liner then no, a leak will not always produce a floating liner. It depends on the elevation of the pond's top, soil type and a few other things. Also you would have had to be present to see the floating, meaning maybe it did float for a time. Normally leaks are slow enough not to cause a floating liner. Normally it is caused by rain water draining into a low sitting pond and the water getting behind the liner.
And the floating liner thing can present as a leak like you described. Not saying that's what the issue is, I don't know many details. But if it rained before you noticed the drop I'd be considering that being the cause. Leaking sprinklers can cause it, heavy watering, etc... Rain water, and may not take much at all, gets behind the liner and rises the water level above the liner top and the liner has no downward pressure so just floats. When the rain stops the water drains into the soil and the liner goes back into its normal position. Owner comes out and sees the pond down a foot or two and assumes a leak. Again, not saying that's what happened, just possible. It's pretty unusual to get such a big leak suddenly in a mid water column location. But I know nothing about this pond.
And the floating liner thing can present as a leak like you described. Not saying that's what the issue is, I don't know many details. But if it rained before you noticed the drop I'd be considering that being the cause. Leaking sprinklers can cause it, heavy watering, etc... Rain water, and may not take much at all, gets behind the liner and rises the water level above the liner top and the liner has no downward pressure so just floats. When the rain stops the water drains into the soil and the liner goes back into its normal position. Owner comes out and sees the pond down a foot or two and assumes a leak. Again, not saying that's what happened, just possible. It's pretty unusual to get such a big leak suddenly in a mid water column location. But I know nothing about this pond.
the liner did not float I just thought that so much water leaking might cause that.What would be the best way to find the hole and what to use once found
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2010
- Messages
- 44,964
- Reaction score
- 29,997
- Location
- Frederick, Maryland
- Showcase(s):
- 1
- Hardiness Zone
- 6b
- Country
Turn everything off, see if the pond holds water. If it does it is a plumbing, waterfall, filter leak. If it drains out you have a liner leak. You will need to look at the level the water stops for a hole.
We do need to know a bit more about your pond to really be helpful. Are you running a waterfall? If so, does the water loss continue if you turn off the pump? Have you checked around the pond edges for wet spots? Most times a leak isn't really a leak - it's a low edge or a plumbing failure.
I have checked the filter box no water I just need to find something to put oxygen in the water when I shut everything off
Is there liner under the waterfall rocks?
I don't think they put one in.it was professionally done
WHAT? If that is indeed true, then there's your problem right there. Professionally done? Yikes!
the mowers in our community hit my waterfall with the mower.So when they said to get a pro company they would pay for it so I got one just for the waterfall
No "professional" would build a waterfall without a liner. Can you see any wet areas behind or near the waterfall? If you shut it off, does the leak stop? How many gallons is this pond? How many fish and what kind?
I have everything shut off now with it filled half way.Waiting until tomorrow to see if it goes down.Its about 1060 gal with goldfish and a few small koi
OK. I'm guessing you're about to discover your issue.
Also - that pond isn't big enough for koi. I know they're small now, but that won't last! (Sorry - unsolicited advice. It's a recurring issue here though - fish too big for ponds will cause problems. Every single time.)
Also - that pond isn't big enough for koi. I know they're small now, but that won't last! (Sorry - unsolicited advice. It's a recurring issue here though - fish too big for ponds will cause problems. Every single time.)