Leaking

[tom619]

i know this is the wrong forum to post this, but
i accidentally dropped a very sharp and heavy rock in my pond and now there's a small puncture on the bottom of the pond. It is a 45 mil liner
does anyone know if there is an underwater glue or under-water repair kit so that i dont have to drain all the water?

i temporarily put epoxy pudding (for corals) on the hole so it's slowing down the water, but it's not holding on to the liner as well. i need something more permanent.
thanks!

(ps.. i've been looking for a koi/pond forum as useful as sdr forever)

[DaveMorris]

Check with Pat at AW. He has a lot of pond knowledge.

[tom619]

thanks dave
but i just called PK and they dont have a "Pat".
i called them earlier this morning and they only have silicone, which would require me to drain the pond. i'm trying to go around that.

[Live Water Aquariums]

Bad news, and good news... You will have to drain the pond. However the fix is easy and permenant. They sell patch tape that goes right over the leak and will last a lifetime(or close) The tape is fairly cheap (like 12$ a foot if I remember right) however it has to be dry to apply.
Nothing else you try will last. If you need help to drain the water let me know. I have a 1300 gallon kiddie pool that I use for pond clean outs. Saving at least half the water, that will cause the least stress on the fish.
I would pump the watter into a kiddie pool pull the fish, patch, and pump it back. The key is to do it as fast as possible(for the sake of the fish). Good luck. If you need help pm me or call Live Water Aquariums and Ponds (619)993-0277 for price info.

[tom619]

Thanks Kevin!
it feels good to know that there's help available around there. most of this pond stuff is in North County.
i'll definitely let u know if i need anything.

[DaveMorris]

thanks dave
but i just called PK and they dont have a "Pat".
i called them earlier this morning and they only have silicone, which would require me to drain the pond. i'm trying to go around that.

That is why I said to call "AW" as in Aquatic Warehouse. Pat is the owner. I do agree with the other advice, though. I don't see a way to properly fix it without draining the pond.

[tom619]

lol. thanks Dave

Oh yeah, 4got to update you, Kevin:
so we were able to convince the landlord to let us keep the pond where it is since we gotta move out eventually later this year anyways. But we lost 4 of the biggest kois during this altercation and now the puncture . some people cant seem to leave things where they are, u know? lol.

[Live Water Aquariums]

lol. thanks Dave

Oh yeah, 4got to update you, Kevin:
so we were able to convince the landlord to let us keep the pond where it is since we gotta move out eventually later this year anyways. But we lost 4 of the biggest kois during this altercation and now the puncture . some people cant seem to leave things where they are, u know? lol.

Glad to hear you get to keep the pond. Hope your luck picks up.
Here are some pics of a liner pond I repaired back in 05. It was like 15 years old at the time and the Mexican Papyrus had grown so thick on the right side it was rediculous. The guy had payed his gardener to trim it back and he cut the liner in the process. The root ball on this thing was enormous and weighed a ton.
Notice how low the water level is and how huge the base of the plant on the right is, most of the plant had already been cut back off the root ball.





A good reason to keep papyrus contained in a pot. I actually found the original 12" pot in the middle of that mess!


I also pressure washed the waterfall, liner and upgraded the filter.
As you see it needed it.


After the repair it was like new. Ready for another 15 years at least.





Good luck my friend.
Btw: I have recently found a pretty good pond forum, its not local but it's huge like Reefcentral with more info than anyone could read: koiphen.com

I just posted a thread on koiphen of a cement leaky pond I recently overhauled here: http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79658

Check it out.