New House, want to make the pond more natural but don't know what's possible

[David_VI]

The level didn't seem to drop past the top of the black planter/basket.

I've retopped the pond up and turned the pump off to eliminate that.

If the level never goes below the top of that basket it means it's around the edge of the liner somewhere? Is there a way to find it easily? Any tips?

 

[poconojoe]

Leaks can be hard to find.
If it stops at that same level again, you'll just have to feel around slowly for any damage.

Are there any penetrations in the liner, such as a skimmer, a pipe to or from your filter?

If no water leaks out, the it's somewhere in you plumbing.

 

[mgmine]

If you want the pond to look natural You will have to remove all the wood around the edge and if something is needed then use rock. In nature, things don't look like that. You will also have to do something about the landscaping around the pond. And by all means, get rid of most of the fish! Three or four fish should be the max. It would be nice to add a waterfall and get rid of the sprayer in the middle. Here is a picture of a very small pond and you

can see what landscaping does.