Going wrong

[Robert farrow]

Hi I have a 8ft 4ft 4ft raised pond that was built by someone it’s only about 8 weeks old and today I tested the water and and all seems fine with my standard api test kit unfortunately the pond has stated to bow out and I have been in touch with the man who built it and he’s asking me to completely empty the pond for this Sunday I can do that no problem but what about the cycling of the pond I’ve spend so long doing will I be starting from scratch once he’s fixed it and it’s filled back up

 

[mrsclem]

Can you transfer the water to a cheap inflatable kiddy pool?

 

[Robert farrow]

I can yes but how much will I need to save

 

[j.w]

As much as you can. The kiddy pools are cheap, maybe get a few.

 

[Robert farrow]

Good idea looks like I’m shopping for kids pools tomorrow

 

[Sparky]

Are you running a filter at all? Move that to the pool as well if at all possible.

 

[mrsclem]

Did you cycle your pond with fish?

 

[Robert farrow]

Unfortunately I did cycle with fish but I was only going off the advice of the bloke who built my pond to be fair I should have known better as I kept marines for many years

 

[addy1]

Good luck like said above save as much water as possible. And if you have any stuff covered with algae, rocks etc, move them to the temp ponds.

 

[poconojoe]

Your filter will have beneficial bacteria growing in it. As long as you keep that running and the bacteria doesn't dry out, it will stay alive. Move the filter to one of the temporary holding tanks and keep it running. As suggested, save as much of the water as possible. Kiddie pools as stated are good. They come in the solid plastic form or the blow up type. Clean garbage cans, clean 55 gallon drums. Anything that is clean and safe that will hold water. I once used plastic garbage cans. I had a few and borrowed a few.

 

[addy1]

You can also get the big black garbage bags and use them inside dirty things to hold the pond water. I have used them a few times.

 

[mrsclem]

Robert, can you post a photo of your pond. I'm curious as to why the pond is bowing after 2 weeks. In hoping the person who built it can find an easy fix so you can get it back up and running. I have 2 above ground ponds and my 10x10x5.5 is bowing out but it is almost 8 years old.

 

[Robert farrow]

You can see it on the flags

 

[mrsclem]

What type of material is the pond built from? It's going to need some kind of cross brace as it seems to be on a flat surface.

 

[poconojoe]

What type of material is the pond built from? It's going to need some kind of cross brace as it seems to be on a flat surface.

I was thinking the same thing. The internal framework doesn't seem to be robust enough to handle the weight of the water.
At this point, maybe some type of external bracing can be applied. Otherwise it might just have to be dismantled and rebuilt. Or build something stronger right over the existing structure.