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Sep 2, 2020 2:30 PM CST
Thread OP
Talladega, Alabama
Is there anything I can do to pull the dirt out from the bottom of our little pond? When it rains dirt washes in. Also, what is recommended to boarder our pond to keep from dirt entering? We would like the liner to be hidden also but not sure what the best materials, plants, resources are to use for this.
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Sep 2, 2020 4:02 PM CST
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Name: Paul Anguiano
Richland, WA (Zone 7a)
GW & DG: tropicalaria
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Garden Photography
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We usually mound the edge a bit when finishing the liner on a pond. If the liner is an inch or two higher than the soil level at some point between the pond and the outside edge where it's cut, then rain water will wash away from the pond from that point, and outside material is less likely to sift through the rocks into the pond. I also tend to leave a fair bit of margin on my liner for future adjustment, under the rocks and boundary material.

I have seen people mortar in their edging rock as well, placing a layer of mortar directly onto the liner and pushing the rocks into it, which seals the edge and pushes the overflow boundary up above the where the liner is visible. I don't know how well that works over time, though, on the flexible liner surface, as I haven't done it myself.

For cleaning up muck on the bottom, I lower the level of the pond in the early spring and mechanically remove, but I tend to prefer a little muck down there for buffering and fish health, unless I have a bottom drain installed. Big Grin
I've seen others use pool bottom vacuums and hoses with a good siphon going to clean out debris on the bottom as well.
Mid-Columbia Gardens
Geodesic Greenhouse
Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.


Avatar for JStak
Sep 2, 2020 4:26 PM CST
Thread OP
Talladega, Alabama
We have tadpoles in our little pond right now and wanting to be sure whatever I do I don't hurt their growth. I would rather there be not so much dirt on the bottom but a little is ok. I guess the best way then would be to get in there and sift it out by colander or bucket.
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Sep 2, 2020 4:40 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Paul Anguiano
Richland, WA (Zone 7a)
GW & DG: tropicalaria
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Garden Photography
Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tomato Heads Organic Gardener Greenhouse Native Plants and Wildflowers Herbs
Also remember that the tadpoles are happier with a bit of algae to munch on.
Mid-Columbia Gardens
Geodesic Greenhouse
Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.


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