Hello, I just have a small decorative pond, but thought I'd share my liner experience. Last year I used black plastic, but the dog and ducks got in there on a couple of occasions and poked holes. This year I was going to buy commercial pond liner but it was over $200 for my tiny 6x6 pond!!! I asked a friend if he had any black plastic, as I couldn't find my roll, and he said he had something better, rolled rubber roofing. It was either used (I think it was) or scraps, someone had given it to him. It has been up and running all summer and the fish and plants are thriving. It is thick and tough, has survived a couple visits from dogs, and even one from the pigs! (had to change the water after that) Something to keep your eyes out for if there is a pond in your future, or your yard. I think it's expensive to buy new, but I think the non-toxic hype from the pond folks is just good for a few more bucks. Jill

-- Jill Schreiber (schreiber@alaska.com), August 05, 2000

Answers

I have an equivalent size pond with fish, a fountain etc., made of an old waterbed. Extremely sturdy, nontoxic, free - if you live anywhere near where there are Big Trash Days, scrounge - there are always waterbeds. Easy to patch if needed, can walk around in it to clean it. Have had mine for five years with a twenty dollar submersible pump, some $0.20 feeder goldfish over 8" long at one point, minnows that appear from nowhere, tadpoles, noisy mating toads in spring, found plants from streams etc. Don't mix natives (I rescued a little perch once) with goldfish or they will scare the &*(%# out of the wimpy goldfish.

-- Gale Greenleaf (greenleaf@mail.utexas.edu), August 05, 2000.

I also used roof rubber for my front pond and covered it with stones so it looked more natural. There are two different roofing rubbers and I used the one with fiber inside. (Tetra is now selling this type for their fish pond kits) My only problem is I got a lot of string algea and am not sure if it is because it is in the sun or if the rubber has something to it. Probably the sun.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), August 05, 2000.

You might try a carpet sandwitch.. remove tacks from recycled carpet. layer one layer carpet side up, keeping roots and rocks etc away from 2nd layer 6mil plastic. 3rd layer is carpet tuft down, protecting the plastic from feet etc...

Simple, tough, cheap, and good way to recycle old carpet.

-- (Robin.Norris@compaq.com), December 07, 2000.

Old swimming pool liners good to use too,just very blue!Cover with rocks and plants and who'll know.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 07, 2000.

When you're looking for an inexpensive pond liner just be aware that the new type of plastic that is usually used to cover windows in the winter now has an additive that makes it break down into tiny pieces after approximately 6 months. The greenhouse grade is still usable. In my area - Florida - you can usually buy the commercial grade polyethelene liner for less that .50 a sq.ft. so a 6' X 6'X 2' would only cost approximately $ 40 - 50. I have also used the waterbed mattress and it lasted 5 years but you are limited to a certain shape.

-- Anna Boone (fmagic@gnv.fdt.net), December 16, 2000.

EPDM roof liner is a very good possibility for a fish pond. One word of caution though.... some manufactures are using "ingredients" in the manufacture of the liners that no amount of scrubbing will clean the toxics away. On the other hand you can contact the distributor of the specific liner and ask them point blank if they would be safe for the fish with a good cleaning. The main secret with brand new .45 mil EPDM is to scrub the daylights out of it on the "up" side. Use a bio-degradable cleaner and rinse very well, then rise it again. If your time is worth more than that then for peace of mind get the fish safe liner. Another good test of a liner for fish safe- ness is to add about 30 feeder fish (about 3 bucks at some pet shops) after the pond has been established for a week. I put fish in my pond almost as soon as I got the liner in, none died. These roof EPDM liners do cost about half the price of the "fish safe" stuff and allow for a larger pond at a substantial savings.

-- Dr. Ruth : ) (Pondering_Your_Garden@hotmail.com), June 15, 2001.

I think you can make a liner from ferro-cement or even concrete blocks if you use pool paint to seal it. Also roof cement might work.

You might also be be able to make a liners from waterproofing liners used for foundations.

Bill

-- Bill Berggren (ad109@lafn.org), August 19, 2001.

I just read somewhere that roof CEMENT contains toxic chemicals that will kill fish and plantlife. Just a note.

-- Sean (SThorn@aol.com), April 24, 2002.