So you’ve got a pond, but it’s leaking. That’s a bit of a problem, isn’t it?
You can actually use pond seal to seal a pond of any size, whether large or small. However, the bigger the pond, the more expensive it will be for you to fix the problem if it’s already full of water. For larger ponds, it’s best to use a dedicated pond sealer, which is basically the same stuff but in much larger quantities.
So what the alternative?
Well, it’s actually a type of clay called bentonite clay.
The great thing about high-quality, food-grade bentonite clay as a pond seal is that it’s completely natural and safe for fish and other wildlife, so you don’t have to worry about harming them in any way.
Bentonite clay is a great way to seal a new (larger) pond or to seal and existing empty pond by creating a barrier that prevents water from seeping through the soil.
A general rule of thumb is to use 1 pound of bentonite clay per square foot of pond surface area. You can sprinkle the bentonite clay evenly over the surface of the pond and use a rake or other tool to mix the bentonite clay into the top 3-4 inches of soil. Then, compact the soil by walking or driving over it to ensure good contact between the bentonite clay and the soil. Fill the pond with water slowly to avoid disturbing the bentonite clay layer.
Alternatively, the blanket method can be used, by applying a continuous blanket of bentonite clay over the entire pond bottom, followed by a cover layer of 6 inches of soil and more bentonite clay on top to sandwich it.
This blanket method is best for larger ponds, as it’s cheaper than buying a lot of bentonite clay if your pond is really big.
If you want to use the blanket method for a smaller pond, then you can buy a 60% bentonite clay content pond seal, which is more than enough to do the job. It’s by far the cheapest option for small ponds, but it’s not suitable for larger ponds, because the remaining 40% which is soil content will make it too porous.
You can also buy a 100% bentonite clay content pond seal if you want to avoid using a cover layer of soil, but it’s more expensive than buying the 60% bentonite clay content pond seal.
The choice between a 60% or 100% bentonite clay content pond seal should be based on your budget and the specific needs of your pond.
Whatever you do, just make sure to buy the right amount of bentonite clay for the job. If you’re not sure how much you need, then it’s best to buy a little bit more than you think you’ll need, just to be on the safe side.
It’s not going to cost you much more, and it’s better to have too much than too little.
And that’s it! You’re done. You’ve saved yourself a ton of worry by not having to empty the pond. Good job!
