Debris Stuck to Bottom of Fiberglass Shell

Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Messages
27
Reaction score
9
Country
United States
I have a fiberglass Koi pond. I haven’t cleaned the bottom in 4 years. (It’s a long story, involving health issues.) I drained the pond and tried to clean off the accumulated debris on the pond floor. Most came off easily. But a significant portion of the debris was very firmly stuck to the pond bottom. I tried to remove the debris with a very stiff brush, which did loosen a little bit of the debris. I also used CLR. I want to be careful not to injure the gel coat. I do not have Koi or any plants living in my pond, and never had. I plan on adding plants and Koi in the future. Can anyone suggest how I might remove the debris?
P9040134.JPG
 
Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Messages
27
Reaction score
9
Country
United States
Hi Jerod,
Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry the pictures are not very good. The debris have the surface consistency of sandpaper to the touch. The debris are very firmly attached to the fiberglass shell.
 

Meyer Jordan

Tadpole
Joined
Oct 10, 2014
Messages
7,177
Reaction score
5,678
Location
Pensacola, Florida
Hardiness Zone
9a
Country
United States
Are you positive that this is debris or is it a degradation of the surface of the fiberglass?
If it is firmly attached it is not debris but part of the biofilm.
 
Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Messages
27
Reaction score
9
Country
United States
Hi Meyer,
Thanks again for your response. The debris are firmly attached to the bottom of the pond. They appear to be "blisters" rising above the surface of the fiberglass. They have the surface consistency of sandpaper. It might be a degradation of the fiberglass, I just don't know as I'm ignorant on fiberglass. It's as if someone dropped dabs of glue on the surface and then sprinkled sand onto the glue giving it a rough consistency.
 

Meyer Jordan

Tadpole
Joined
Oct 10, 2014
Messages
7,177
Reaction score
5,678
Location
Pensacola, Florida
Hardiness Zone
9a
Country
United States
The coating on fiberglass will degrade over time due to UV radiation and bacterial action. Once the coating is compromised bacterial action will begin to degrade the fiberglass itself, This is common in underground storage tanks, It would probably be many years before this degradation would progress to the point of causing a leak.
Recoating is an option with any of the several Pond coatings on the market. This would be your only option, other than relining or replacing the pond, if the aesthetics are that important. Otherwise, leave it be. It should eventually be disguised by algae growth anyway.
 
Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Messages
27
Reaction score
9
Country
United States
The coating on fiberglass will degrade over time due to UV radiation and bacterial action. Once the coating is compromised bacterial action will begin to degrade the fiberglass itself, This is common in underground storage tanks, It would probably be many years before this degradation would progress to the point of causing a leak.
Recoating is an option with any of the several Pond coatings on the market. This would be your only option, other than relining or replacing the pond, if the aesthetics are that important. Otherwise, leave it be. It should eventually be disguised by algae growth anyway.

Thank you very much Meyer.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Messages
27
Reaction score
9
Country
United States
Better to know the straight truth than getting a lot of stupid suggestions like, "Have you tried 409 or Windex?" Thanks again.
 

Ruben Miranda

I am so confused
Joined
Oct 23, 2012
Messages
536
Reaction score
267
Location
So California Whittier
Hardiness Zone
12a
Country
United States
Hi
It could be calcium deposits , once it takes hold it could be very difficult to remove.
Myself if it is not leaking and once water is it and not very noticable with plants in it and a few rocks. I would leave it be as scraping at it could cause even more damage.
I would also say if you are going to have fish and plants I would not use strong chemicals like that.
Because any residue could harm your fish and plants and the build up of the beneficial bacteria.
Ruben
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
31,502
Messages
517,920
Members
13,704
Latest member
SWthaivn

Latest Threads

Top