Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
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Why are pond liners essential for California ponds?
In drought-prone areas like California, flexible geomembranes are an absolute must if you’re building a pond.
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What do I need to know to build a backyard pond in California?
California has some of the strictest rules anywhere governing the amount of water that people can retain for their own use—and because of this, backyard ponds make up the majority of new water features added to California each year.
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Can ponds help with California storms?
California has some unique needs in that the state suffers from a drought, but sometimes there are also pouring rains that result in flooding and mudslides.
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What do I need to consider when building flood control ponds that can be used for irrigation?
There are a few things you’ll need to account for when you’re building a flood control system in California.
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What do you need to look for in a liner for a drought-ready California irrigation pond?
Choosing the right liner means taking into account what you’ll be using an irrigation pond for.
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Can rainwater be collected on the small scale in areas affected by the California Drought?
When you think of rainwater collection, the most common ideas are rain barrels at the small end of the scale or enormous retention ponds at the large end of the scale, but there is a middle ground.
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During the drought, are there restrictions on irrigation and agricultural ponds in California?
Yes—and there is a distinction between regulations for small domestic decorative ponds versus larger ponds for irrigation and agricultural uses.
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How can rainwater collection help with the California drought?
Rainwater collection is one of the key ways to help supplement the area’s water supply.
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Why is water harvesting critical for the California drought?
California’s Great Central Valley is 20,000 square miles, one of the most fertile valleys in the world, and one of the largest, if not the largest, agricultural region in the United States.
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How can geomembrane systems help mitigate the water shortage during the California drought?
Geomembrane systems can do a lot to help mitigate water shortages, including irrigation systems, retention ponds, and rainwater collection systems.
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Can water preservation help solve agricultural water shortages due to the drought in the San Joaquin Valley?
Yes—and one way to do that is by creating lined ponds to collect and store rainwater for later irrigation.
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What do California growers need to know about damage to irrigation canals?
For producers in California, irrigation is a way of life—and that means learning about and guarding against the most common types of damage to irrigation canals.
What types of closed algae systems are there, and what are their advantages?
Closed algae systems cost much more to install and maintain, but they do come with a variety of advantages that can’t be replicated in an open algae pond.
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What types of open algae pond systems are there, and what are their advantages?
Open algae pond systems are exposed to air, which gives them several natural advantages.
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Can you use sugar to feed algae?
For most varieties of algae, you’ll need to feed something nitrogen based with plenty of phosphorus, but there are a few varieties out there where sugar may be required for optimal growth.
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What are algae raceway ponds?
Raceway ponds are an innovative and affordable type of algaculture system that takes advantage of natural sunlight.
How is algae harvested from algae ponds?
While factors like available light, nutrients, and the risk of contamination can pose difficulties, by far the biggest challenge when producing algae will be harvesting it on a commercial level.
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How do you manage algae ponds for aquaculture?
For aquaculture, rather than growing just any type of algae, you’ll need to consider the types of algae to culture and you’ll need to produce a quality product.
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How can you maximize available natural lighting for an algae pond?
Most types of algae require some amount of light, and because artificial lighting can be expensive to run, it may be best to do what you can with the available sunlight that you have.
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What does an algae pond need to thrive?
Algae ponds require plenty of sunlight along with vital nutrients to flourish.
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Can you connect algae ponds to other types of aquaculture?
Algae ponds can be extremely useful if you’re producing fish, prawns, and other types of aquatic life.
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Do pond liners contain algaecides that will interfere with algae growth?
Some flexible liners are treated with algaecides, which means you’ll need to choose the right liner for your algae pond.
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What is required to properly maintain an algae pond?
There are several things you’ll need to take care of as part of routine maintenance for your algae pond.
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