How to Find a Pond Leak

Written by Danielle Dickinson


Continued from page 1

(e)Check your creek / waterfall for a build-up of organic matter such as leaves, branches and twigs. Debris can cause dams thus raisingrepparttar water level causingrepparttar 147723 water to spill out.

(f)Check liner is still in its original position and has not dropped in height.

3.The leak is in your base pond.

(a)Watchrepparttar 147724 water level closely untilrepparttar 147725 water level is stable. Remove any fish and plants fromrepparttar 147726 pond and store temporarily in a container original pond water if water level drops dangerously low.

(b)Whenrepparttar 147727 water level is no longer dropping check very carefully aroundrepparttar 147728 water level. Some leaks will be obvious while others will be tiny little holes that may be difficult to see.

(c)If you have a larger leak, try putting some milk into repparttar 147729 water. The milk will cloudrepparttar 147730 water and move towardrepparttar 147731 direction ofrepparttar 147732 leak. This is not always successful but is worth trying.

4.Repairrepparttar 147733 leak.

(a)Once you have locatedrepparttar 147734 leak you need to repair it. Use either:

(i)Poly Pond Repair Kit or (ii)PVC Liner Repair Kit



Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on building and maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products.


Splashing Out During Drought!

Written by Danielle Dickinson


Continued from page 1

It is imperative that your water feature is constructed properly and with water conservation in mind. Whether you feature is a small natural wildlife pond or a designer contemporary water feature mistakes can be made that will waste vast amounts of water, even without your knowledge. It is often wiser and less frustrating to call inrepparttar professionals at this stage to ensure proper construction!

Top Water Saving Tips

1.Plants – if you must site a pond in a full sun position it would be wise to use aquatic plants that float onrepparttar 147722 water surface (such as lilies) to minimize evaporation by stoppingrepparttar 147723 sun’s heat. 2.Fountains – if you must have a fountain ensure thatrepparttar 147724 pond/reservoir is large enough to catchrepparttar 147725 splash. It is best to avoid fountains that spray inrepparttar 147726 air altogether. 3.Pumps – use a submersible pond pump appropriate forrepparttar 147727 size and desired effect of your feature. Speak with a water garden specialist to size your pump correctly. 4.Eco Systems – create a balanced eco system in wildlife ponds withrepparttar 147728 aid of bio-logical filters etc to keep water clarity and eliminaterepparttar 147729 need to empty or partially empty repparttar 147730 pond for cleaning. 5.Pets & Children – everyone loves water and this is especially true of pets and children. Children and pets love to play in water features, wastingrepparttar 147731 water or worse still, causing leakage. 6.Leaks – proper construction should mean you have a leak proof water feature. Keep an eye on your water level for significant drops that indicate leaks that need attending to. 7.Timers – can save water and energy by runningrepparttar 147732 feature only at times when you are present. 8.Wind Breaks – hedging or planting can be placed around your water feature as a wind break. This prevents unnecessary evaporation. Be careful to choose no-toxic and non-invasive plants. 9.Still Water –repparttar 147733 soothing qualities of still water in a reflection pond can be just as effective as moving water. If keeping fish or plants use an oxygenator (air pump) as well as a pump to keep live giving oxygen inrepparttar 147734 water. 10.Topping Up – a catchment container for rainwater can be used to top up your water feature. 11.Pipes and Connections - make sure all pipes and connections are securely fixed to eliminate dripping pipes 12.Frog Ponds – are not only water efficient but help to protect declining frog populations. Frog ponds also attract other wildlife such as lizards, skinks and birds.

Some Great Ideas

oDecorate around your water feature creatively with interesting objects that need no water at all, such as rocks, bricks, gravel and deck areas.

oCheck your water feature regularly for crack, leaks and maintenance problems that may lead to water loss.

oConsider using xeriscape (drought tolerant) plants such as Liriope around your water feature.

oInstall a pond rather than a bird bath – bird baths evaporate quickly and need constant re-filling. Ponds are beneficial to more wildlife than just birds.

oArtificial waterfalls will splash less than rock waterfalls as they have been manufactured to direct water flow.

oUse preformed ponds in small ponds to reducerepparttar 147735 risk of liner pierce or concrete cracking.

oRemember, aquatic plants don’t need to be watered!

Add some life and soul to your garden!

Water features, rather than wasting water, generally use less water than any other part ofrepparttar 147736 garden. A well planned and managed pond can be a haven for troubled wildlife in times of drought.

One ofrepparttar 147737 nicest, not-to-be-ignored benefits of water gardening is purely psychological. Just when everything else seems dried-out and arid, your water garden can be a quiet haven of relaxation, your own backyard oasis.



Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on Buidling and Maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products.


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