by aggieteacher

Created on: April 05, 2010

Though some pond-liners have lifetime warranties, the simple fact is that they develop leaks and wear out due to sun exposure, the elements, and sometimes due to things we accidentally inflict upon them. My first liner lasted 8 years, though it was extra heavy duty with a 40 year warranty.

Relining is an easy one day job if you set your mind to it, work hard, and have all of your supplies ahead of time.

1. Purchase a new liner and cholorine remover. I discovered that liners were much less expensive online until the shipping cost was calculated in. The local home improvement stores had the same quality for about the same price as an online order + shipping and handling. Before you go shopping be sure you know the length at the longest point, width and the widest point, and depth at the deepest point, of your pond. There are calculators on the back of the package to help you decide which size you need. I recommend getting larger than you need so that you have material for patches later on. Also, if you have a waterfall, allow room for that!

Also, purchase a bottle of chlorine remover. This is added to tap water to make the water safe for fish within minutes instead of having to wait 24 hours to put them back in the pond.

2. Remove fish and plants. You will need plenty of buckets to hold all of your living material. Fill your buckets with water from the pond and put plants in water to protect them. Gently catch fish using a net or bucket. It is sometimes easier to wait until after you have completed part of the next step to catch your fish. Be sure to set these in a shady location and stir the water in the fish bucket occasionally to provide them with plenty of oxygen!

3. Pump out the water. This is easiest to accomplish by directing the flow from your pump into buckets or into a flower bed that needs water and fertilizer. Be sure to watch the water level and turn off the pump when the water gets low so you don't burn up the pump, however.

4. Remove the scum. You will find that there is an accumulated layer of algae and bacteria at the bottom of your pond. BE SURE TO SAVE SOME OF THIS. (I saved 2-44 oz. cups full for my 1000 gal pond) The beneficial bacteria that prevent algae blooms in your pond live in this smelly goo! Shovel the excess into buckets and pour it around trees or plants that need fertilizer. My roses loved it! It works well to purchase some pea gravel to soak in your scum. The gravel can be poured back into the pond with the bacteria to give it

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