The gully to pond project

[pacerron]

I let the pump run on the first tank of gas until the engine quit. It took 2-1/4 hr to use the gallon of gas in the tank. It pumped my pond down over a foot in that first 2 hours. So far, everything works exactly as advertised and I'm a happy camper. I'm taking some photos and will post them tomorrow.

I'm not much on fuel additives but I put "Stabil" in the gas for anything that will sit for a month or more w/o being started. I used to do the run carb dry trick until I had some float valve sticking from the dried out bowl on some newer engines.
Nothin' worse than a tree falling on the power line when it is zero degrees
outside and being the last house on the rural line that only serves one customer per mile or more; trying to start a generator with a dry carb that has been sitting in a cold garage for a month. Too many pulls for my liking, even with a little ether in the air filter. Since using Stabil for a number of years now and leaving the carb bowl almost full by killing the engines by turning off the gas valve all the engines start with a pull or two.
The stabil even gives the modern, clear, poor excuse for gas a little color.
I can almost see it when pouring.

 

[jinman]

I'm not much on fuel additives but I put "Stabil" in the gas for anything that will sit for a month or more w/o being started. I used to do the run carb dry trick until I had some float valve sticking from the dried out bowl on some newer engines.

I too use Stabil, Ron. I also use Sea Foam or something similar in any 2-cycle gasoline. That said, I have had tremendous luck with my pressure washer's Honda engine by shutting off the fuel and letting it run the carb dry. I had not used my pressure washer in almost two years and recently wanted to use it on my tractor. I added fuel and the darn thing started right up. Also, I don't know how long this pump sat on the shelf at TSC or how long ago it was manufactured, but when I put in oil and then gas, it fired and ran perfectly on the 2nd pull. After running dry, I refilled the tank and it started on the first pull. Since the fuel is gravity fed to the carb, it fills the carb while refilling as long as I have the fuel cutoff petcock open.:thumbsup: I have just had lots more luck running carbs dry than leaving treated fuel in them. As they say, YMMV. Whatever works the best for you is what you should do.

 

[jinman]

Yesterday, I pumped for about 4-1/2 hr total and pulled the level of my little pond down about 2'. The pictures below are about 45 minutes into pumping with the new pump. You can see the water lines around the pond that show the high water level. My grandson thought the pump was about the slickest thing he's ever seen.

 

[jinman]

Here are photos at the end of pumping for the day. The pond level is down almost 2 feet and the 2nd pond is up about 1 foot from the water transfer.

I ran out of fuel, so I have go get some and also change the oil in the pump before starting to pump again today. Also, I can't pump too much water out because the seine I ordered just shipped to me on Friday. I have to make sure I have the seine so I can catch the fish/minnows in this pond and transfer them to the larger pond when the water level gets low. I've ordered a 50' seine with 1/8" openings in the net. That should catch even the tiny fathead minnows.

A couple of weeks ago, I was worried because the plankton explosion in my pond had turned the water too green. Now, the water color seems to have normalized. I'm really surprised at how this pond goes from clear to green to a bit muddy over the period of a month. Some people say that catfish will keep the mud stirred up in a pond, but I doubt that's my problem.

 

[pacerron]

Here are photos at the end of pumping for the day. The pond level is down almost 2 feet and the 2nd pond is up about 1 foot from the water transfer.

I ran out of fuel, so I have go get some and also change the oil in the pump before starting to pump again today. Also, I can't pump too much water out because the seine I ordered just shipped to me on Friday. I have to make sure I have the seine so I can catch the fish/minnows in this pond and transfer them to the larger pond when the water level gets low. I've ordered a 50' seine with 1/8" openings in the net. That should catch even the tiny fathead minnows.

A couple of weeks ago, I was worried because the plankton explosion in my pond had turned the water too green. Now, the water color seems to have normalized. I'm really surprised at how this pond goes from clear to green to a bit muddy over the period of a month. Some people say that catfish will keep the mud stirred up in a pond, but I doubt that's my problem.

Lookin good:thumbsup:
Too bad you don't have one of those big round plastic water tanks to haul on your trailer or truck. You could fill it with your pump and have a gravity watering system for your garden complete with fish poop fertilizer
Were you concerned that your plastic overflow culvert would get filled with silt had you just used a short hose from the pump to the inlet of the culvert?

 

[pacerron]

I've been wanting to ask a crazy NE question for a long time, so here goes.
Since Caliche is a common product to plug large water wells why is everyone in Texas so hung up on Bentonite for private pond and dam use?

 

[jinman]

I've been wanting to ask a crazy NE question for a long time, so here goes.
Since Caliche is a common product to plug large water wells why is everyone in Texas so hung up on Bentonite for private pond and dam use?

Because in pellet form it is easy to mix with the soil and it expands something like 18x its original size when it becomes wet. There are many forms of bentonite from powder to several sizes of pellets, depending on application. I'm sure there are other reasons, but those are two I'm aware of right off the top of my head.

 

[pacerron]

Because in pellet form it is easy to mix with the soil and it expands something like 18x its original size when it becomes wet. There are many forms of bentonite from powder to several sizes of pellets, depending on application. I'm sure there are other reasons, but those are two I'm aware of right off the top of my head.

Man, you are quick
I went out and mowed 2 acres and while mowing decided I needed to edit my post. Came in for a drink and you had already commented. You are talking "Sodium Bentonite" like Brandi has for sale..
https://srac.tamu.edu/index.cfm/event/getFactSheet/whichfactsheet/6/

 

[bindian]

I've been wanting to ask a crazy NE question for a long time, so here goes.
Since Caliche is a common product to plug large water wells why is everyone in Texas so hung up on Bentonite for private pond and dam use?

My caliche (white and red clay) seeps water in and out. It started seeping in at 11 feet depth in the pond. Your link from Texas A&M in post 428 backs this up. Two of my cousins were mud engineers in the oil patch. The stuff they use is way different with numerous minerals, chemicals and magic stuff added in depending on the chemistry down hole.
hugs, Brandi

 

[pacerron]

My caliche (white and red clay) seeps water in and out. It started seeping in at 11 feet depth in the pond. Your link from Texas A&M in post 428 backs this up. Two of my cousins were mud engineers in the oil patch. The stuff they use is way different with numerous minerals, chemicals and magic stuff added in depending on the chemistry down hole.
hugs, Brandi

Yes, I came in at dark and did a little more reading.
Caliche and bentonite are very general terms. The quality/purity and ability of each to plug water varies greatly and can only be determined by chemical analysis in harmony with the host soil that has the leak problem. Otherwise it is just an expensive hope and prayer that proper or improper application will work to stop or slow the leak until it is naturally sealed off by other sediments.
Has your water ever cleared up?