O/T Pond Construction

Stockdale Dave · Oct 26, 2008

I have an empty stock tank on my 10 acres that is 100'X200'. It is 8 foot deep in the center. The tank will fill with water and hold for about 3 days then it's gone. The bottom looks like the clay layer has been removed revealing porous soil. How would you seal this? I've had people say line the bottom with 4X8 sheets of sheetrock. Doesn't sound like it would work. Lots are recommending plastic liner material. Any thoughts? Thanks, Dave in South Texas.

Bill(Wis) · Oct 26, 2008

First thing that comes to my mind would be a 6-8 mil polyethylene bunker silo cover. Black plastic basically.

thurlow · Oct 26, 2008

Do a search for Bentonite.......

pat sublett · Oct 26, 2008

I think bentonite is your answer.The best approach is with the bottom dry till it and mix it with the existing soil. If you get enough, it will seal it.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 26, 2008

Do the research on bentonite. You likely get some pretty good information from your county agent on ponds in general. If not search around at Purdue.edu

I have to buy it in 50 pound bags, sold mostly to seal well casings I think. It should be much cheaper in bulk depending on how far away it has to be trucked.

Good luck with your project

T. Hayes · Oct 26, 2008

About 20 yrs ago we built a 1 1/2 ac fish pond on our family farm and after filling it with a irragation pump several times it never would hold water. We had all kinds of experts to try different things and they all failed. Then one day while visting a family member at a retirement home a eldery man overheard our problem and said for us to get enough hay to spread and cover the top (water)and as the hay would rot and get water logged it would sink to the bottom and seal soil. WORKED GREAT, real good fishing and a cheap fix.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Oct 26, 2008

fence it and run some hogs in it for a while.

S2710 · Oct 26, 2008

I had a pond that leaked all the time in a cattle pasture so I took the salt away from them for a week and then dumped a 100 lbs of salt in the muddy bottom and the cattle dug that pond up with their hoofs and after that it held water and that was over 20 years ago and it is still got water in it.

T. Hayes · Oct 26, 2008

Was told about livestock packing the bottom also, we just didn't have any and have since seen it work too. The hay trick worked for us so we were happy, just goes to show you science can't solve everthing.

Stockdale Dave · Oct 26, 2008

Thanks for the ideas folks. Now to research and figure out the best/least cost method.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 27, 2008

Dave,
You may try one of the oil field mud companies for bentonite. You may find some around Pleasanton, and I know there is still one place in Gonzales you can get it. I have no personal experience with using bentonite for this purpose, but have talked to several people who say they have had good luck.

Stockdale Dave · Oct 27, 2008

Thanks Hermit...I'll take a look at them.

Dave

hermit · Oct 29, 2008

Dave,
Sorry I have taken so long, but here is the number for the place in Gonzales.
Specialty Drilling Fluids
830-672-7214
Hope this helps. Good luck.

O/T Pond Construction

Stockdale Dave

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Bill(Wis)

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thurlow

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pat sublett

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Anonymous-0

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T. Hayes

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john .?-!. cub owner

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S2710

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T. Hayes

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Stockdale Dave

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Anonymous-0

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Stockdale Dave

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hermit

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