Help! Pond had a leak/used Bentonite

[handsforever]

We used Bentonite after reading that it would seal any leaks..we spread it over our small pond and it is now milky-white and slimy.I finally had the pond clear of the algae problem/all the fish and plants were gorgeous, but was losing a LOT of water. Now it looks horrible. Does anyone know what I can do? We did not drain the pond,just sprinkled it over.It has a liner.Stills leaks too!

[SFM in KY]

I'm not sure, but the only times I've heard about Bentonite being used in ponds as a sealer it seems as if they put it down before the pond filled. ]

Hope someone has added it later and has a suggestion about getting it to 'settle'.

[Alice In TX/MO]

There is actually a granular form to use for top treatment. Otherwise, you just have to wait for it to settle and clear.

The Sprinkle Method
The sprinkle method is recommended only when it is not feasible to drain the existing pond or in cases of isolated leaks when a spot treatment may be a possible alternative. This method is less effective than the other two methods for several reasons: Uniform and accurate placement of the bentonite is difficult; the pond bottom may include debris such as trash, vegetation, logs, rocks, etc., which may prevent sufficient coverage. If the bottom of the pond can be cleared, this method has greater chances of providing a good seal.

The granular grade of bentonite, “Granular Seal," is best suited for this method of sealing leaking ponds. The granular bentonite should be used when using the sprinkle method because the particles are large enough to sink to the bottom, while finer particles cloud the water and stay in suspension. Begin by simply sprinkling the prescribed amount of granular bentonite (Granular Seal) on the water surface and allow it to fall into place. The granular bentonite particles will sink to the bottom of the pond or be drawn into porous areas where they will swell and reduce the seepage rate.

http://www.jpself.com/bentonite.htm#The_Sprinkle_Method

[Windy in Kansas]

Someone knowledgeable will probably chime in, but I think that I have read here before that barley straw will settle out a pond.

Perhaps a web search or a search of these forums will yield information.

[Harry Chickpea]

If the pond is just a "show" pond, the bags of "shock" for swimming pools contain a flocculant as well as some powdered chlorine. Depending on the size, a bag or two and a pump to mix it (being careful to have the discharge where it won't stir up the bottom) should clear it pretty quick. Hadn't heard of that barley straw idea. Sounds interesting.

[Alice In TX/MO]

barley straw for algae control:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/a-fact/0012.html

[ghmerrill]

I'm not sure that bentonite will work for sealing a pond liner. Bentonite is for sealing natural, dirt ponds. To seal a liner pond, you need to get a repair kit, had a glue and a patch made for that purpose.