Pond liners!?

Question

So,I'm making a 12' diameter,4' deep pond for 3 fairly exceptional goldfish. They deserve better than the 100 gallon home they've got now. =)

My question is: Should I get a custom built pre-formed one? Should I get liner and just line the ground?

Or should I use concrete/cement?

Answer 1

I am sure they will like their new pond!


preformed are ok. They are handy, but they have their down sides.
If you are planning to do the work yourself, get the rubber liner from Home depot or Lowes. It is more versitile and forgiving when installing it. If at a later date you want to expand your pond, these liners can be "piggybacked" to create a bigger pond. If you move, you can take them withyou easily.

I've build all my ponds outside. I do have two preforms which I have since connected with waterfalls to create a 4 stage large pond.
The others are designed by hand. Any Waterfall you plan are easier to construct with the soft rubber. With the rubber liners, you are only limited by your imagination. Even for the cap stones. Preformed if not set exactly level make for an aquward looking pond.

I have a liner pond topped with wooden benches to sit on (trimmed with belgium block ) Since you can create your own unique shape, or design the rubber, though a bit more expensive, is well worth it. It will save you time and money in the long run.
The preformed are easy to clean just like the rubber.

I use natural rock for the bottoms of all of mine since most preforms and liners are black making it difficult to see the fish. The lighter natural rock show off the fish.

I don't recomend cement. Costly, a hastle and too hard to keep clean if the surface isn't prepared properly. For a 12x4 you are talking a small pool.

Answer 2

Go with the commercial pond liner, other types of plastic are too fragile. Also don't use the pond liner without an underpad of some sort. Used carpet backing will work or for small jobs a thick layer of newspaper. Shop around, do some comparison research and also some DIY reading. if you fully understand the process making a pond is not difficult, just a lot of hard work.

Answer 3

The custom built pre-formed ones are fine as long as you make sure that you get the hole perfectly dug to the exact shape of the form. If you don't, it leaves little gaps/holes in the pond where it's not touching the earth. Any weight, such as the pressure of the water or a human stepping on those gaps, could cause the form to crack, thus causing a leak. Concrete is fine, but it has to be cured, sealed and rinsed very well to prevent any lime from leeching into the water. This can throw the ph way out of balance, cause poor water quality which could kill the fish. The liner is the cheapest and the easiest. It will form fit to any shape you dig in the earth. The only worry you have with liners is to get rid of all rocks, which is easy because they're easy to see and also because you put a good layer of sand over the dirt. It's not toxic to the fish and it's less expensive and less work and worry than concrete. Oh, a hole can be punched in liners also, but it takes a pretty good force to punch through that thick rubber. When I had to get into my pond to clean it or anything, I just went in barefoot. No sharp tools, no sharp shoes, no worries. My pond was 120 gallons, so, yours is about the same size. You fish will be so happy with their new house! Congratulations to you for taking such good care of your fish!

Answer 4

I would suggest you get a liner and line the ground. This allows much more flexability in the shape and depth of the pond as well as the total volume. Be sure to read up on how to fit a liner before you buy. It can be a bit tricky and you wouldn't want to buy one and find it's a foot too short. Line the hole with old newspapers and/or sand to help protect the liner and it should last for years and years.

Whatever you do, don't use concrete or cement! That is 1: physically rough on the fish and 2: can alter the water chemistry significantly.

Answer 5

It's easiest to do a liner,but concrete can be used if it's done properly. Understand that a pond must cycle just like any other enclosed water container,but if it's large enough the fish would probably be OK. With the 4' depth your goldfish should be able to survive the winters as far North as zone 5.(Check a seed catalogue.) The feeding needs of pond fish are different than those in an aquarium,and as the pond ages less food is required because of the development of natural sources.(Algae,insects, floating plants,etc.) Your goldfish should prosper in the environment that you propose.Lucky fish. Good luck.----PeeTee

Answer 6

I've had all three and the liner is the way to go and maybe the easiest to build
we use old carpeting to cover the ground and then lay the liner over it
be sure to get some "pond books" at Lowe's or Home Depot, etc
and study the plans before you start
good luck