Replacing pond liner

[John Robinson]

Hi

I have just joined this forum and should be very grateful if some kind person could provide some invaluable advice.

Following the 'big freeze' I have noticed that my pond water is draining slowly. I suspect that a heavy build-up of ice has pushed the fountain down and caused a tear in the liner at the bottom.

The pond contains about thirty fish which have bred from four we bought a few years ago. They are thriving well and seem very healthy, so I would be sad if I lost them. We have a pump and (external) filter which obviously works well in keeping the pond environment healthy.

I shall need to replace the liner - or add a new one on top of the existing one - and intend to use a 1mm thick rubber liner. I had planned to use the pump and a hosepipe to transfer pond water to our bath (my wife has accepted this suggestion!) and to then transfer the fish there temporarily whilst I install the liner. Obviously, I want to keep as much of the pond water as I can, and top up with tap water as necessary using TetraPond AquaSafe. I hope to be able to accomplish all of this within one day.

My questions are:

1. Is this a feasible way of doing things, and are the fish likely to survive? Obviously, I should like to keep all of the pond water but have nowhere to put it!

2. I plan to do it at half-term in a couple of weeks, although I am sure it will still be very cold. Would it be better to wait for Easter, and warmer weather?

Sorry to write at such length, but I thought it best to provide as much information as possible.

I'd be grateful for any advice.

[Lord V]

Think it best done in cold weather from the fish point of view but not sure how the liner will behave if too cold when you try to put it in.

You don't mention the pond size but doing this with my small pond of around 250gallons I've found plastic dustbins very useful for keeping the water (and fish in). Having kept goldfish, koi and roach for over 30 years I think the dangers of tapwater are often over-exaggerated. I have a few times forgotten when doing a partial water change on my small pond and ended up I'd guess completely changing the pond water to tap water with no ill-effects.
Brian V.

[Kayleigh]

How far away is the bath from the pond,
I would use a large kiddies paddling pool and transfer the water and fish into this near the pond for convenience..

[tom00_uk]

if you are happy with the depth of the current pond then there is no harm using old pond skin as a liner for the new one,(more protection from stones)

It might be for the best if you put a few holes in the base of the old pond to allow any water that collects between the layers to drain away and not result in a possible bulging of the new liner

you will have to make sure the bath is very clean and free of any residue of soaps, bleach etc etc etc, a dedicated food safe container would be better, you can get bulk liquid transport containers quite cheaply. (the set we use for water buts cost under £5 each)

have you water butts etc you could also use to fill the pond back up with? it will be costly filling with chemically treated tapwater

the fish should be OK as long as you don't damage them, (they take a lot longer to heal from damage in this weather), but waiting a little longer would be better

i would budget two days time (unless working under flood lights at this time of year), (longer if using cement or other products that you need to avoid contact with the pond with)

[John Robinson]

Originally Posted by Lord V

Think it best done in cold weather from the fish point of view but not sure how the liner will behave if too cold when you try to put it in.

You don't mention the pond size but doing this with my small pond of around 250gallons I've found plastic dustbins very useful for keeping the water (and fish in). Having kept goldfish, koi and roach for over 30 years I think the dangers of tapwater are often over-exaggerated. I have a few times forgotten when doing a partial water change on my small pond and ended up I'd guess completely changing the pond water to tap water with no ill-effects.
Brian V.

Thanks for your response, Lord V.

It's funny you should say that, but I have just been talking to the cleaner who comes in after work and he suggested wheelie bins too. We have four (black, green, blue and brown! - Thanks, local council) all sitting right under my nose, and it never occurred to me. Obviously, I'll give them a good clean beforehand.

I have been topping up the pond with tap water (and AquaSafe) and the fish, as you suggest, seem to be quite happy at the moment.

By the way, the internal measurements of the pond are about 8 or 9 feet by about 5 feet (oval) by 2 feet deep maximum with shelves. I don't know how many gallons this equates to.

[John Robinson]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

How far away is the bath from the pond,
I would use a large kiddies paddling pool and transfer the water and fish into this near the pond for convenience..

Hi Kayleigh.

The bath is about twenty feet from the pond - easily reached with a hosepipe attached to the pond pump.

The paddling pool is a good idea, but I think I'll use wheelie bins (see above reply) as they're cheaper - I'm a Yorkshireman!

Thanks for your help anyway.

[John Robinson]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

if you are happy with the depth of the current pond then there is no harm using old pond skin as a liner for the new one,(more protection from stones)

It might be for the best if you put a few holes in the base of the old pond to allow any water that collects between the layers to drain away and not result in a possible bulging of the new liner

you will have to make sure the bath is very clean and free of any residue of soaps, bleach etc etc etc, a dedicated food safe container would be better, you can get bulk liquid transport containers quite cheaply. (the set we use for water buts cost under £5 each)

have you water butts etc you could also use to fill the pond back up with? it will be costly filling with chemically treated tapwater

the fish should be OK as long as you don't damage them, (they take a lot longer to heal from damage in this weather), but waiting a little longer would be better

i would budget two days time (unless working under flood lights at this time of year), (longer if using cement or other products that you need to avoid contact with the pond with)

Thanks, Tom.

I had planned to keep the old liner to save trouble taking it out and, as you say, it will provide some extra protection. Perhaps I should punch a few holes, as you suggest.

In addition to the bath (which I shall, of course, clean thoroughly - before and after!), I have four wheelie bins (see above) and also a rainwater butt. I think that, together, these six will contain a good proportion - or possibly even all - the contents of the pond.

Needless to say, I shall take every possible care in transferring the fish.

Although I hope to complete everything in one day, I have more if needed. The only real reason I wanted to finish in one day is to avoid keeping the fish in the bath/bins any longer than necessary.

I shall not be using cement; just a 1mm thick Firestone rubber liner. They sell it at a local aquatics centre at 60p per square foot, with a 'lifetime' (my life or the fish's?!) guarantee.

May I offer my grateful thanks to you all for taking the time and trouble to provide these very helpful suggestions. Perhaps in time, if I ever become expert in these matters, I shall be able to reciprocate.

[John Robinson]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I now need further advice.

I had planned to put in a new liner next week, but have noticed that the water in the pond seems to be going down to the same level and then remaining there. I have been topping up every day or two, but have left it for several days now at the same level.

I assume that this may suggest a leak somewhere at the present water level, but I cannot find anything. If this is the case, and I can find the leak, obviously I may be able to do a repair. I think the present liner may be rubber - it feels like it - although I'm not sure.

My question is, how can I locate the leak? Is there some clever and effective way of doing this?

[bugly's]

you can get a leak trace dye, we use them on a flat roof, drains etc. One point on the fish not sure if anyone has said, try to use a significant percentage of the old water when refilling and watch the temperature of the water make sure it is close to that of the fish holding tank / bin etc, if not put the fish in large plastic bags with the holding tank water and place these in the pond until the temp in the bag matches the pond if you see what i mean.

[Kayleigh]

Also look for wet boggy areas around the pond you may find it before you have to go to other means...
You can get a repair kit from pond centres..