Pond leaking

[sissy]

Get a water meter for your hose and set it and have a automatic turn off so you can measure your pond water depth .Like set it for 10 gallons then before and after measure depth of pond and do this with the waterfall off and on .Do it several times and that will give you an idea of what it really is .A couple of years ago I thought I was loosing lots of water but it only happened at night .Turned out it was deer wetting their whistles .I put a water trough up in the woods and put fresh water in every day .Now it is bunnies so had to set water out for them .

 

[BBurnJackie]

Here's why I asked - when you turn off the pump, the water in the stream/waterfall all fills the pond. Water loss in the pond may appear to be less because of that extra water. To really be sure it's the waterfall, I would turn off the pump for a 2 or 3 day period when you are home and keep careful track of the water loss.

Here's another thing to consider - pond plants can take up an unexpectedly large amount of water. And the larger they get, the more water the consume. As you mentioned your plants have gotten larger, it's possible that, coupled with evaporation, has created enough water loss to cause you to think you have a leak.

I don't think we ever asked - how many gallons is your pond? And how much water do you guess you are adding a week?

I think my pond is just under 400 gallons, not a big one. I really don't know how much water I add. My pond plants are on the other side of the liner. The builder came in and pulled all the rocks away to check the liner. He saw no edge that could have fallen below the water line. I am going to turn off the pump again and she how long before I need to add water. Thank you!

 

[BBurnJackie]

Get a water meter for your hose and set it and have a automatic turn off so you can measure your pond water depth .Like set it for 10 gallons then before and after measure depth of pond and do this with the waterfall off and on .Do it several times and that will give you an idea of what it really is .A couple of years ago I thought I was loosing lots of water but it only happened at night .Turned out it was deer wetting their whistles .I put a water trough up in the woods and put fresh water in every day .Now it is bunnies so had to set water out for them .

Can you suggest a water meter? An area with which I am totally unfamiliar. At least when I do this I can give this data to the builder. I think he thinks I am over exaggerating the problem. Thanks!

 

[Lisak1]

You can buy a meter that attaches to the end of your hose - I've seen them at Home Depot, Menards, Lowe's, etc.

And I see now the most of your plants are outside of the pond, and if all the edges were checked for low spots then your next step is to turn it off and keep track of the water loss. But again - remember when you shut down your pump that all that water that normally occupies your waterfall (and the plumbing leading up to the falls) will now fill your pond. So the water loss in the pond may seem like it's a lot less than it is, because you've just essentially added X number of gallons (whatever your waterfall can hold). So you may be getting a false sense that the waterfall is the problem, when in reality there's no problem at all!

Just take heart from this - most pond "leaks" turn out to not be leaks at all. Evaporation, wind, plants, animals, low edge, water wicking - lots of things can account for water loss. And most of us have had that "oh my gosh! I must have a leak!" panic moment. In a pond your size, even a small amount of evaporation can seem like a lot of water.

 

[BBurnJackie]

You can buy a meter that attaches to the end of your hose - I've seen them at Home Depot, Menards, Lowe's, etc.

And I see now the most of your plants are outside of the pond, and if all the edges were checked for low spots then your next step is to turn it off and keep track of the water loss. But again - remember when you shut down your pump that all that water that normally occupies your waterfall (and the plumbing leading up to the falls) will now fill your pond. So the water loss in the pond may seem like it's a lot less than it is, because you've just essentially added X number of gallons (whatever your waterfall can hold). So you may be getting a false sense that the waterfall is the problem, when in reality there's no problem at all!

Just take heart from this - most pond "leaks" turn out to not be leaks at all. Evaporation, wind, plants, animals, low edge, water wicking - lots of things can account for water loss. And most of us have had that "oh my gosh! I must have a leak!" panic moment. In a pond your size, even a small amount of evaporation can seem like a lot of water.

I will look for one. I only noticed this problem starting the end of the pond season last fall. Then we turned it off for the winter. (Fish hibernate in a little cave and I keep an aerator and de-icer going). Noticed it again this spring. I keep a casual log so I can tell the builder. I have to put in water so it does not drop below the pump every 2-3 days. NEVER had to do that the first two summers. I understand what you are saying about the turning off the pond and seeing the back fill. I have to turn off the pump when I use a product to control the algae. I think I will buy the water meter and then start logging very carefully the water loss for a couple weeks. Then I will turn off the falls (pump) and log that water loss as well. I have a nursing background and always thought I would enjoy research!! I have a problem to research!! Thanks for all the input.

 

[sissy]

Do you happen to know the temperature of your pond water .Any type thermometer would work .I have 3 in my pond 2 float and one sits on the bottom .Is your pump in the skimmer .Try buying another pump (doesn't have to be a big expensive one )and turn the pump off in the skimmer and just put a hose on the other pump and put the hose in your waterfall and that will give you an idea .Where the hoses checked and the filter for leaks