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Help needed

mark_ashcroftmark_ashcroft Posts: 6
in The potting shed
Hi built a pond last year put koi everything fine noticed just after Xmas losing water about 6"inch over a 2 weeks could this be evaporation or could it be a leak have looked see if there's any tears nothing this only started in winter nothing in summer 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It sounds like quite a lot of water has been lost.
    I think evaporation is unlikely at that rate at this time of year even in a small pond, and if you have koi then I guess it's a reasonable size.
    I have had my filter overflow and a cracked pipe once which causes water loss, and foxes rummaging around on the waterfall sometimes dislodges slates and causes water to escape.
    I've got 2 ponds and I've not needed to top either up for 2-3 months.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • mark_ashcroftmark_ashcroft Posts: 6
    Ok thank you 
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    If you still have your pump running or even if you don't, check the filter boxes and pipes. I have had the plastic crack when the water in them froze and expanded. And my pond never needs topping up in the winter . 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • mark_ashcroftmark_ashcroft Posts: 6
    The shower unit is running constantly I made a mistake it's dropped about 3" in 2 weeks frustrating not knowing why 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    What sort of size pond is it Mark?
    As has been said above there's not a lot of evaporation at this time of year.
    If you've checked all the pipework for leaks, then it's more likely to be a leak from the pond itself.
    Is it a lined pond/fibreglass/concrete?


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • mark_ashcroftmark_ashcroft Posts: 6
    It's 8ftx6ft pete checked all pipework I've got a bakke shower unit it's lined it will drop around 6" and stop looked all round for any tears can't see nothing 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    A long time ago I had a similar problem with the water dropping about 4" and staying there. Like you I checked all the obvious things and eventually I found the liner had been nibbled by something, just a few random chew holes in a fold of the liner, it was a bu**er to find. Fortunately it's butyl so I was able to patch it.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • mark_ashcroftmark_ashcroft Posts: 6
    Ok thanks Pete I will try that thanks for the advice 
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    edited February 2019
    If it's dropping to a fixed level each time it's almost certainly a leak.  Added to which, evaporation will be virtually non-existent at this time of year.  Unfortunately, the leak may not be at the level the water stops dropping.  A small hole may reseal itself when the pressure on it drops (hope that makes sense.)  As a first step though you should check closely at the final water level.  If it's a butyl liner it will be easy to patch, once you have found the leak.
  • mark_ashcroftmark_ashcroft Posts: 6
    Thanks for the advice that is what I do wait til level stops and try and find leak 
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