Pond Building Tips

A Pond Design That Will Float Your Boat

This pond building design idea was sent to us by Becky Butz-Butler who did a masterful job of converting a simple canoe into a great looking small pond.

Arranged to blend in with their deck and backyard, this pond appears to be “docked” to the deck with tie down ropes and a simple marine motif. The ample use of plants helps to keep the pond water in better condition and a small submersible filter can be added to keep the water cleaner as well.

This just goes to show that with a little bit of creativity, you can create a beautiful small pond out of just about anything and with proper accents, they can be blended into an existing backyard or deck area very nicely.

Rubber Pond Liners: What You Need To Know

by Mark

There are many different kinds of rubber pond liners. Not only are there different types of plastics to choose from, there are thickness options, size options, the option to bury or not bury your liner, the choice of doing it yourself or to hire someone to install the liner for you…need I go on? Finding the right rubber pond liner is going to be an important step when it comes to the longevity of your pond, so please consider a few things when you make the decision.

Pond Lining Material

Who knew picking pond lining material was going to be like picking material for your new couch cover? To some of us, that means time consuming. To most of us, that means, foreign language!

Rubber pond lining comes in a variety of different types of plastics. The key is to figure out what plastic does what, taking a look at the needs of your pond, and choosing which pond liner that is best for your situation.

Reinforced Pond Liner

Reinforced pond liners come in different types of rubber (such as reinforced polyethylene or reinforced polypropylene). The important thing to remember about a reinforced pond liner is that they are more light weight, more durable, more tear resistant, and typically less expensive liner than an unreinforced liner.

If installed and exposed to the sun, this can be a problem. They will not last as long if out in the open. If your pond is in the sun and you still want a reinforced liner you can bury the liner to prevent over exposure to the sun. Be aware; if you have sloping edges to your pond it can be hard to keep the liner buried.

PVC For Your Pond?

PVC is a plastic that is being used in many different industries. One of the nice things about PVC is that it has a great stretch to it. This makes PVC good for pond liners because the stretch reduces chances of cracks and adapts well to quick, dramatic changes in the weather.

PVC liner can be rolled and packaged easily which is always a plus when getting something shipped to you for your diy project. This liner is ideal for small landscape ponds and wildlife ponds. Panels of it can be heat welded together to make a sealed piece of PVC liner as big or small as your needs are.

Epdm Pond Liners

Epdm pond liners are a very popular choice. They are very versatile and won’t hold you back when you are choosing a shape and size for your pond. Epdm pond liners are also very flexible. They can still stretch in temperatures from -40 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. So whether you live in a place of extreme weather changes or you live in a consistently warm or cold area, you won’t have to worry about this liner turning brittle and cracking over time.

These liners are very resistant to the damaging effects of UV rays and other harmful environmental conditions. You don’t need to expect any major upholding issues with these liners. They will last for a long time, which is not only a perk when it comes to maintenance issues, but it is a nice perk when it comes to the safety of the wildlife that live in and around your pond.
If you are planning on breading any fish in your pond, be aware that epdm may be toxic at times. Epdm is ideal for both small and large landscape ponds.

Butyl Pond Liners….Best Of All?

Some people may argue that butyl pond liners are the best pond liner to use. I can’t say whether it’s the best, but I can say that it definitely seems to be one of the most versatile pond liners around. Butyl rubber liners are both stretchy and flexible which will help, in turn, to make the liner conducive to whatever type of terrain you want to place your pond.

Butyl liners are also resistant to UV rays and are sustainable; they are good for all types of ponds from your backyard water garden to a wildlife reserve pond. This rubber pond liner is non toxic so you have no need to worry about any negative effects distressing the environment you put your pond. This is a great option for your pond if you are looking for something that will last a long time and leave you with little to worry about.

HDPE, Strong and Resistant

HDPE pond liners are a good choice when you have a demanding and arduous environment. These types of liners are often used by landfill or waste water treatment companies because of their chemical resistant characteristics.

Even for a less intense situations, like your backyard pond, they are very reliable. They are strong and resistant to cracking. They will do well in extreme weather. They prevent any harmful substance from seeping in to contaminate your pond. These pond liners are also very affective on almost any terrain. So if you are looking for something durable for anything from a simple pond liner to a waste water treatment lagoon, this lining can do the job for you.

To Choose a Rubber Pond Liner

Take the information you have gathered, look at your needs, and see what will work best for you. Remember the importance of choosing the right rubber pond liner. If you choose something that isn’t right for the surroundings of your pond, you are going to only enjoy the pond for a short time before you are spending a lot of time and money on repairs that could have been prevented with a little bit of research.

Fish Pond Liners Explained

by Mark

If you’re looking to either build a fish pond or have a pond installed, there’s a very high likelihood that you’ll be using a pond liner of some kind in the construction. Granted some ponds are actually formed out of concrete but most water features will use some sort of liner.

Pond liners definitely make pond building much easier. Particularly for the diy projects they’ll save time and a lot of frustration. When researching liners you’ll find that they come in either preformed or prefabricated designs, which are made out of a rigid molded plastic as well as thin rubber sheets which are more flexible to work with.

Choosing the best pond liner for your needs really depends on the type of pond you’re wanting to build. What we’re referring to is the size and overall shape and configuration your wanting to create.

Preformed Ponds

Preformed ponds make it very easy and simple for anyone to install a nice looking pond. There should probably be more emphasis on the simple part as digging is not always that easy. Nevertheless, a pvc plastic prefab pond liner allows for an easy installation. A hole needs to be cleared that matches the shape and form of the liner. Fill in any spaces or gaps under the shell to support it and you’re done.

Because they’re rigid, preformed liners don’t offer the same degree of customizations as a rubber liner might, but many people don’t necessarily need that. If one’s pond design is very small, say under 300 gallons, then a prefabricated pond liner will work great. As the pond size and gallon capacity goes up, many people begin to transition over to rubber sheets.

EPDM Pond Liners

EPDM stands for (ethylene propylene diene Monomer (M-class)) which is a synthetic form of rubber. You’ll find it used in a variety of machines and applications but for pond owners it’s primary qualities are durability, it’s resistance to heat and cold, and overall weather proof capability.

Most epdm pond liners will have a warranty for an effective life span (Firestone pond liners for example are expected to last for 20 years). This warranty may not include damage from accidental punctures, but it’s ability to not crack or wear with age should last that long. Rubber liners have a distinct advantage over the plastic varieties because they are extremely versatile to work with. They can be laid in virtually any shape, depth, or configuration without any problems.

Rubber liners are normally offered in several different widths of rubber. These are listed as 45mil and 60 mil with the latter gauge being a bit more durable. In terms of the overall size (length and width, there really are very few limits. Most rolled liners can be found up to 50′ wide and 100′ long. For larger installations several rolls can be bonded together.

Larger and more complex ponds always use epdm rubber liners but you’ll also find them commonly installed in small Koi and fish ponds as well. They have proven to be safe for fish and wildlife. It is possible to put rocks and stones on top of these liners however it’s important to use rounded or flat stones and avoid anything with sharp points or edges.

A Note About Cleaning Your Pond Liner

Whenever you find the need to clean a pond, it’s a good idea to clean some of the liner if you can get at it. For a hard shell liner you can pretty much scrub these aggressively without any problems. A rubber pond liner will require a bit more care. Avoid using harsh solvents of any kind and use light pressure when scrubbing or brushing.

When a pond is built using high qualities materials and you’ve followed the recommendations from the manufacturer, there’s a very good chance that your pond (and this includes pond liners) will provide you with many years of trouble-free service and enjoyment.

Pondless Waterfalls For Tight Spaces

by Mark

A pondless waterfall is the perfect addition to an area around your home that only offers limited space. Waterfalls can come in just about any configuration and in any size which makes them perfect for backyards. One still get’s the sound of water running over the falls without the expense and trouble that might come with a traditional pond.

Click the following link to learn more about pondless waterfalls.

Preformed Ponds And Easy Pond Building

by Mark

Preformed ponds make putting in a backyard pond about as easy as it can get. This new article talks about the advantages, and a few drawbacks to using a preformed pond. All in all they provide small pond owners with an easy way to get started and that’s a very good thing.

Visit this page to read more about preformed pond liners.

EPDM Pond Liners For Water Gardens

by Mark

A pond liner is essential when constructing a small pond or watergarden. This article will cover some of the benefits of EPDM rubber pond liners and why you might want to consider using one.

Many American homeowners across the country are finding the addition of aquatic ponds to make lovely settings for their back yard environments. These decorative ponds are further enhanced by the use of an aquatic safe EPDM pond liner that snugly conforms to the shape and design of your pond. These liners are specially designed to safely sustain most any kind of fish and fauna you choose for your water garden. They are safe and practical to use and will help maintain your pond’s attractive appearance for years to come.

There are generally two types of pond liners you can choose for your pond structure: plastic preformed pond liners and EPDM liners. Pre formed plastic liners are designed to maintain one shape and form to fit the exact structure of your pond design. In contrast, EPDM liners are capable of stretching and adjusting to any shape pond, regardless of its design. This flexible quality enables the liner to elongate when necessary to cover unusual or uneven ground surfaces below the water such as tree roots, rock formations or dips. It can also adjust to various movements or settling of the ground.

For example, the Firestone PondGard EPDM liner is constructed of a high quality flexible rubber material, which is aquatic safe, durable and guaranteed to last a long time. It maintains its flexibility even in very hot and cold temperatures and will not crack or split with age. Due to their high quality construction, warranty on Firestone liners extends up to 20 years. These reasons and more make the Firestone 45 mil model one of the most popular pond liners on the market today.

Pond Tip: Here’s an easy way to find a leak in a small pond liner. Allow the water to drop to a level where it remains stable with no further reduction in water levels. Add a bit more water back in to raise the level and then pour a small amount of milk around the perimeter of the pond. The white color of the milk will often show where a leak is occurring. Simply watch for the milk being pulled inward towards the liner and there’s a good chance you’ve found the leak. You can then use a simple patch kit to take care of the problem.

Installation of EPDM liners is fairly simple, requiring no special equipment or tools. Once in place, these liners offer optimum performance with little maintenance and care. In the event a liner should require repair due to puncture or tear, these repairs can be feasibly accomplished with the use of an EPDM patch while the liner is still installed in the pond.

EPDM liners come in a variety of widths and lengths in order to easily accommodate any pond dimensions. Online prices, to include shipping and handling, range approximately from $60 to $75 for the smaller 10 x 10 foot size liner to $195 to $225 for the larger 10 x 20 foot model. It’s usually advised to shop around and compare prices as they may vary from retailers. Also be sure to ask for expert advice from vendors prior to ordering should you have any questions.

It’s been proven that installing a water garden or small pond near your home will help increase the property’s value and add natural beauty to your yard. When construction considerations are being made, keep in mind that nothing offers the versatility, durability, and adaptability that an EPDM pond liner offers.