Minimizing Evaporation - Seal / Waterproof Rocks?

[JohnC510]

Hi all,

I noticed that with my waterfall (and I'm sure this is pretty typical with waterfalls), water tends to splash on rocks / boulders and keeps the rock surface moist -- likely leading to quick evaporation. I think this would be even more pronounced on a hot day when the rock surface is hot. Since rock is porous, I was thinking I can greatly reduce water evaporation off the rock surface by sealing / waterproofing / plastic-coating the surfaces of the rocks.

Is this possible? If so, is there a fish-safe product any of you recommend?

Thanks!
Johnny

 

[Lisak1]

That sounds like a whole lot of work without any real measurable payoff. The water is still going to splash, the rocks are still going to get wet, the water on them will still evaporate. All you will save is the water which MIGHT be absorbed into the rock... and in my opinion (not a rock expert) a rock will only absorb so much water, so once they are wet, the absorption rate will decline or stop. (And that's if the rock absorbs water at all... I'm not even sure all rocks DO absorb water.)

So there's my opinion - it's free and worth every penny!

 

[mgmine]

Take advantage of the moist surface and grow moss on it.

 

[addy1]

My splash rocks have a nice layer of moss on them. Looks great btw. I would not seal them, agree with above a lot of work minimal if any pay off.

 

[sissy]

Plus evaporation comes from more than just the rocks .Water splashing wind blowing and sun are all evaporation forms .

 

[Mmathis]

I agree with the other comments (especially the part about the extra work involved), but you know, you're never going to know unless you try it.

I doubt that you'll be able to quantify the amount of evaporation, though, since evaporation is going to happen and no 2 days in the life of a pond will be the same. And I'm pretty sure that surfaces have to be clean before a sealant is applied, which means double sealing.

 

[JohnC510]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'll look into how to grow moss on rocks and leverage the water on the rocks as suggested by @mgmine and @addy1.