pond liner question

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Hi all, My neighbor got a new tractor with all the goodies a few weeks ago. Anyway he dug me a pond 25 feet by 40 feet and 3 to 4 feet deep. $90.00 great price and looks good! This is sandy soil so I'll need to line it with something. Looking for suggestions-pretty much blew our budget- so el cheapo is the way I'll have to go. Any and all ideas welcome. Thanks,Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.com), March 21, 2002

Answers

Hi Daryll....el cheapo, eh? How bout tarps? or plastic that those mobiles are wrapped in, if they don't outgas too badly.

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), March 21, 2002.

Bentonite clay is traditionaly used where I live .I don't know if it's practical to use in Florida soils(Sands).The county extension office in your area can probably suggest what to use .If not,try calling the county extension office in one of the south florida counties,or the one in Gainesville.

-- SM Steve (unreal@ msn.com), March 22, 2002.

if there isnt water in it yet rototill in some portland cement on the bottom usally a dusting tilled in will do

-- Grizz workin near D.C. (southerneagle@yahoo.com), March 23, 2002.

You might be interested in the ultimate free solution -- USED CARPET!! My Permaculture guru, Bill Mollison, told me about using it in sandy areas (nap to the soil) to seal ponds, and it works. We've used it for walkways and such (covered with wood chips) to keep from haveing to constantly mow/weedeat//bushhog/etc. to keep them passable. It takes a little time, but it does eventually seal. We prefer really old carpet with the jute backing (looks like natural burlap) instead of the newer stuff with plastic, since it finally breaks down to a layer of organic sludgy stuff that seals, but both will work.

Another solution that permaculture designers in tropical areas have used is a thick (4" to 6") layer of fresh green leaves like banana -- they break down and form a nice gluey sealer over pure sand.

Finally, for tarp-type solutions, call your local billboard company. Those things arent painted or papered anymore -- it's a big screen- printed tarp that's stretched around the sign structure, and it doesn't get re-used. When an advertiser goes away, the tarp is generally thown away. I think I'd put the printed side down...how much advertising can we stand?

You've probably solved your problem by now, but perhaps this will help someone else.

-- Sunny in NE Texas (theletot@yahoo.com), June 12, 2003.


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