Shade balls for open water storage.
UV-stabilised HDPE shade balls that cut evaporation, suppress algae and deter birds on dams, reservoirs and treatment ponds — with zero operating cost for the life of the system.
A floating barrier over your water.
Shade balls were originally developed as bird balls to keep wildlife off mining tailing ponds. Today they are widely used on agricultural water storages, including poultry farm dams. Poured onto the water, they self-arrange into a floating monolayer that blocks solar radiation before it reaches the surface.
Each hollow 100 mm ball weighs just 40 g and withstands years of sun, rain, wind and frost. At end of life, HDPE is a widely recycled polymer — spent balls can be recovered and reprocessed rather than sent to landfill.
Cuts evaporation
85–91% reduction at full coverage, conserving water you have already paid for, pumped and licensed.
Suppresses algae
Inhibits algal growth without chemical dosing, and assists with odour management.
Deters birds and wildlife
Proven on mining tailing ponds, and equally suited to farm dams and municipal storages.
Zero operating cost
No maintenance, no supervision, no pumps or chemicals — for the full service life.
HDPE shade ball — technical data.
| Material | UV-stabilised high-density polyethylene (HDPE) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 100 mm (4 inch) |
| Type | Hollow |
| Weight | 40 g per ball |
| Colour | Black |
| Surface coverage | 91% at standard density (116 balls per m²) |
| Evaporation reduction | 85–91% at full monolayer |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Expected service life | 8 years under typical outdoor conditions |
Installation takes no specialised equipment: allow 116 balls per m², pour them onto the water, and let them self-arrange. No machinery, no infrastructure, no shutdown.
Hexagonal floating cover.
For storages where near-total coverage matters, the hexagonal floating cover interlocks edge-to-edge with no gaps — sealing up to 99% of the surface. Each unit carries a double-shell float valve that automatically takes on ballast water on deployment, holding the cover stable in winds beyond 45 m/s.
Coverage up to 99% (28 pieces per m²) · Evaporation reduction up to 95% · Emission and odour reduction up to 96% · Same 5-year warranty and 8-year expected service life.
Self-ballasting
Units fill automatically from 170 g dry to 890 g on the water — no anchors or fixings.
Wind-stable
Rated beyond 45 m/s, well above cyclonic wind speeds.
Which suits your site?
Ask for a free site assessment and we will model your storage, local evaporation and pumping profile — no obligation.
Download the full guide.
The complete 16-page Reftek floating cover guide — specifications, applications, worked savings examples and the free site assessment, in one PDF.
Suitable for poultry and livestock dams, broadacre and ring tanks, mining and process-water ponds, and municipal or industrial storages.
See what your storage is losing.
We will model your storage, climate and pumping profile and show your own numbers — water saved, pumping avoided and compliance headroom. Contact us directly to get started.
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