I am building a backyard pond, 15 feet wide by 28 feet long, about 4 feet deep in center. What is the cheapest, yet still rugged, pond liner to use. Bear in mind that I may choose to raise food fish in this pond. Also can hydrogen peroxide be dumped into to oxygenate pond instead of using the fountain type aerating systems. Thanks in advance for any replies

-- keith a. davidson (mouyposmoniksi@netscape.net), May 12, 2001

Answers

Keith ,I have some great cheap pond plans.Hole,gravel,layers of feed bags,SILO LINER!!!,rocks on edges and small round pea gravel in the bottom if you like.Voila....happy mothers day!!!

-- teri (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), May 13, 2001.

I used a pool liner to line mine

-- grant (organicgrange@yahoo.com), May 13, 2001.

I think this is in the archives somewhere, from waaaaay back... I've heard it works good to line the pond hole with old carpet BEFORE you put your rubber or plastic liner in, because the carpet will protect the actual liner from rocks, roots, and other pokies.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), May 13, 2001.

I used the rubber roofing material used for factories. I was able to get a cut off for free but it wasn't as big as the pond size you'd like. Maybe you can call and see if you can get some. It's reinforced and Tetra is starting to sell pond liners that look just like it. I also lined under my pond with old carpet padding. Covered all the rocks better then sand. (Just make sure you get out all the staples.)

One thing to remember, to have a healthy, clean pond, you should invest in the best filter you can. One can be made out of a plastic garbage can and lava rocks.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), May 13, 2001.

Dee, Could you tell me how to make a filter out of a trash can and lava rocks? This sounds like something I could use. Thanks!!

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), May 14, 2001.

I read that one way to seal a pond is to dig the hole and then run pigs in the area for a while. Somehow, the pigs feet do something to the soil that seals it up good.

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), May 14, 2001.

What is a silo liner and how much do they cost? I have an inground swimming pool that is 16' by 32' and 4' deep at the shallow end and about 12' deep at the diving end and I would like to convert it to a naturalized pond but the CPDM is quite expensive and I haven't found a reasonable substitute. Maybe a regular pool liner can be bought that looks like the bottom of a pond. I guess that is my next option.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), May 14, 2001.

Silo liner is really tough thick plastic used in grain and bunker silos,the local farmers here also use it to cover those outdoor manure pits.It is durable against chemicals,sold in wide lengths and very cheap at your local farm hardware and machinery store.The thickness of grain bags under it protect it against the gravel,and they do not rot.

-- teri (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), May 14, 2001.

Cowgirl, Sorry, forgot to check this post. Use a small plastic garbage can (or rubbermaid container). Bore a hole on the top for intake, another on the bottom for drain into the pond. Lava rocks on the bottom about 1/2 to 2/3 full. You can put filter pads made for ponds into this to catch debris and filter with charcoal pad. You cannot use this for waterfall because it would be hard to hide but it makes a good biological filter. Major thing to watch for, make sure the intake and outtake match. If you have the water coming in too fast, it will overflow. Too slow, not enough water in the can. There should be some water in the can at all times. Hope you understood this.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), May 14, 2001.

Dee, Thanks for the info! Is this filter safe to use with fish? It sounds like a good set-up for my small fish tank, (500 gallon). Thanks again for your help!

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), May 16, 2001.

Does anybody know if lava rocks and a pump is good enough to filter and make clear water for a 60 gallon pond? I had a mechanical one but it wasn'tproducing clear water or keeping ammonia out. Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Rich B

-- rich (beckr@snip.net), May 28, 2002.