Key Points for Maintenance and Management of Geomembrane in Fish Pond Culture and Solutions to Common Problems

In fish pond culture, the geomembrane material performs a essential function as a core anti-seepage component. It no longer solely prevents water loss however additionally isolates the backside soil from the subculture water, lowering the affect of hazardous elements in the soil on aquatic organisms. However, at some point of long-term use, the geomembrane material is susceptible to harm or overall performance degradation due to elements such as aquatic activities, environmental changes, and human operations. Therefore, doing a desirable job in each day upkeep administration and correctly fixing frequent troubles are indispensable to making sure the balance of fish pond culture.

1. Daily Inspection and Basic Maintenance of Geomembrane Material

Daily inspection is the first line of protection to shield the geomembrane material. Only by using discovering possible dangers in time can we keep away from small troubles from expanding.Frequency and Focus of Inspection

It is endorsed to behavior a complete inspection as soon as a week at some stage in the breeding period, and amplify the frequency to 2-3 instances a week in exceptional durations such as heavy rain, excessive temperature, or after fishing. The inspection have to focal point on the following parts:

 Edge areas: The junction of the geomembrane material and the pond bank is inclined to loosening or tearing due to water stage modifications and soil erosion. Check whether or not there are signs and symptoms of lifting, curling, or separation from the soil.

Surface of the geomembrane: Observe whether or not there are punctures, scratches, or cracks, specially in areas the place feeding machines, aerators, or fishing equipment are regularly used.

 Welding seams: For giant fish ponds, the geomembrane material is normally laid through splicing. Check whether or not the welding seams are intact, whether or not there are bubbles, delamination, or neighborhood peeling.

Basic Maintenance Measures

Clean up floating objects in time: Dead branches, stones, and residual feed floating on the water surface or sinking to the backside may also scratch the geomembrane material. Use a internet or rake to smooth them regularly.
Control water degree changes: Avoid accepted and large-range fluctuations in the water stage of the fish pond, as this will reason the geomembrane material to extend and contract repeatedly, accelerating aging. When altering water, the every day water degree drop ought to now not exceed 10cm.
Trim flowers round the pond: Overgrown weeds or tree roots on the pond financial institution may additionally penetrate the geomembrane material. Trim the vegetation normally and get rid of roots that are shut to the side of the geomembrane.

2. Common Damage Types of Geomembrane Material and Repair Methods

Even with cautious maintenance, the geomembrane material may additionally nevertheless be broken due to surprising factors. Timely and right restore is the key to decreasing losses.

Small Punctures or Holes

Causes: Usually induced via sharp objects such as damaged stones, fishhooks, or the challenging beaks of aquatic birds.
Performance: Small holes with a diameter of much less than 5cm, which may also now not reason apparent water leakage in a brief time however will extend gradually.
Repair method:

Clean the region round the gap with a dry material to eliminate water, mud, and algae.

Cut a patch of the identical geomembrane material, with a dimension 10-15cm large than the gap (to make certain full coverage).

Apply exclusive adhesive for geomembrane on the again of the patch and the broken area, wait for 3-5 minutes till the adhesive is barely dry.

Paste the patch firmly on the hole, press it with a heavy object (such as a clean stone) for 24 hours, and keep away from water immersion for the duration of this period.

Tear or Large-Area Damage

Causes: Mostly due to exterior forces such as wrong operation of fishing nets, collision of heavy machinery, or extreme have an impact on of floodwater.
Performance: Tears longer than 20cm, or neighborhood bulges and folds triggered via soil subsidence underneath the geomembrane material.
Repair method:

For tears, first align the two aspects of the tear as a lot as possible, and restoration them with weights to forestall displacement.

Use a hot-melt welding desktop (suitable for HDPE geomembrane material) to weld alongside the tear. The welding width have to be at least 5cm on every side, and repeat welding twice to make certain tightness.

For large-area bulges, drain phase of the water first, discover the motive of subsidence (such as underground hollow), fill the subsidence place with quality sand, then flatten the geomembrane and weld it with patches at the folds.

Seam Failure

Causes: Poor welding fantastic at some stage in preliminary installation, or getting older and cracking of the seam due to long-term water immersion and temperature changes.
Performance: Water seepage alongside the seam, softening of the soil at the side of the fish pond, or apparent gaps when touching the seam.
Repair method:

 Use a knife to reduce off the broken section of the seam (about 5cm wide) to expose the new interface.

 Clean the interface and dry it with a hair dryer (if prerequisites permit).

 Use an extrusion welding laptop to re-weld the interface, and take a look at the welding great with a stress tester (the stress ought to be maintained at 0.2-0.3MPa for 30 seconds except leakage).

3. Prevention and Control of Biological Attachment on Geomembrane Material

In fish ponds with wealthy nutrients, algae, moss, and even small snails are handy to connect to the floor of the geomembrane material, which now not solely impacts the smoothness of the geomembrane however additionally can also motive nearby oxygen deficiency and corrosion.

Impact of Biological Attachment

The connected organisms will make bigger the weight of the geomembrane material, inflicting it to stretch or deform in some areas.

When algae die and decompose, they will produce acidic substances, which may additionally speed up the getting old of the geomembrane material.

Dense attachments will block the remark of the geomembrane surface, making it tough to locate early damage.

Prevention and Removal Methods

 Regular cleaning: Use a tender brush or high-pressure water gun (with stress managed under 10MPa to keep away from unfavourable the geomembrane material) to smooth the floor of the geomembrane as soon as a month. For areas with extreme attachment, scrub gently with a impartial detergent (avoid the usage of robust acid or alkali).

Biological control: Stock fantastic quantities of algae-eating fish (such as tilapia, grass carp) in the pond, which can naturally minimize algae increase besides harming the geomembrane material.

Light control: For small fish ponds, cowl the water floor with a shading internet (shading price 30%-40%) in summer time to inhibit the photosynthesis of algae, however pay interest to making sure adequate dissolved oxygen in the water.

4. Precautions for Geomembrane Material During Special Operations

In addition to each day management, one-of-a-kind operations such as pond cleaning, fish harvesting, and renovation additionally require greater care to keep away from detrimental the geomembrane material.

Pond Cleaning

When draining and cleansing the pond, keep away from the use of sharp equipment such as metal shovels or pickaxes. Instead, use plastic shovels or high-pressure water weapons to eliminate sludge. After cleaning, test the complete geomembrane floor for hidden damage, and restore it right away if found.

Fish Harvesting

When the use of fishing nets, carry the internet gently to keep away from dragging the backside of the pond. For large-scale fish harvesting, use a crane to carry the internet to decrease friction between the internet and the geomembrane material. After harvesting, take a look at the areas the place the internet was once regularly pulled for signs and symptoms of wear.

Extreme Weather Response

Heavy rain/flood: Before the rain, test the drainage machine of the fish pond to make sure that the water degree does no longer exceed the part of the geomembrane. After the rain, drain the extra water in time and take a look at for injury triggered through floating debris.

Freezing: In bloodless areas, when the water floor freezes, keep away from hitting the ice layer with heavy objects. The growth of ice might also squeeze the geomembrane material, so preserve the water stage steady to decrease ice pressure.

Conclusion

The geomembrane material is an necessary warranty for the environment friendly operation of fish ponds. Doing a true job in day by day inspection, timely dealing with of frequent problems, and scientific preservation can notably lengthen its carrier life, minimize the frequency of pond renovation, and for this reason improve the monetary advantages of aquaculture. For farmers, gaining knowledge of these upkeep and restore capabilities is now not solely a cost-saving measure however additionally a key hyperlink in accomplishing secure and high-yield aquaculture. By taking exact care of the geomembrane material, we can create a higher residing surroundings for aquatic merchandise and lay a strong basis for sustainable aquaculture development.