The Pond Liner Guide

Garden fish ponds and water gardens are popular landscape improvements. They attract wildlife such as birds, frogs and butterflies, and provide a peaceful place to relax. The variety of products on the market today makes installation easy and affordable. There is a type of pond liner for every application. The biggest error in pond design is making it too small. A good rule of thumb is to make to make the pond 30% larger than what is envisioned.

Site Location
Selecting the site is extremely important. Is this to be a secluded getaway or a landscape feature to be viewed and enjoyed from inside the house? If the pond contains plants it needs to receive four to six hours of sunlight a day. Don’t site the pond where rain or sprinkler runoff will flood it or carry debris and lawn fertilizer into it. Keeping it from under trees that shed leaves or needles into the water will keep the pond cleaner. Be certain to locate near a power source if any of the pond components require electricity.

Types of Pond Liners
The first requirement for any pond is the ability to hold water. Pond liners and concrete ponds are good alternatives to natural water features. A pond liner can be rigid like a preformed pond liner or flexible to conform to custom excavations. Fiberglass liners now come with a more natural looking rock finish. The rougher finish also provides a habitat for beneficial bacteria to grow. A preformed pond liner is good for small ponds of 130 gallons or less. A concrete pond is long lasing and the most expensive to install. It can also leaks toxins into the water for a period of time if not properly sealed.
Fish ponds should be deep enough not to freeze solid in the winter and can be located in the shade. They require certain types of non-toxic fish pond liners. A Butyl pond liner or a fish grade pvc pond liner are the most commonly used. These flexible liners are easy to install and conform to the shape of the excavation.

Water garden ponds are home to a variety of plants and also need a non-toxic pond liner and one that won’t degrade in sunlight. A water lilly pond requires about the same depth and conditions as a fish pond.
Listening to the sound of a waterfall is soothing and relaxing after a hard day’s work. A huge amount of very realistic looking preformed waterfalls are available that are easy to install and give instant gratification. Simple designs are easiest to work with.

Maintenance
Fighting algae growth is the biggest battle in keeping the pond healthy and attractive. With proper care the pond will reach a balance where constant vigilance is unnecessary. Algae requires sunlight and excessive nutrients to grow. Broad leaf water plants shade the water and protect from too much light. The also make use of nutrients and so prevent their buildup. Plants may need monthly trimming to be kept in check and dying leaves should be removed. Scavengers, such as snails, feed on pond waste thereby performing a necessary service. Pond filters reduce algae, but need frequent cleaning to be effective. There are also chemicals that can be used to control algae, but care must be used since they may be toxic to plants and fish.