We have 6 [info]shubunkin[/info], a large [info]fantail [/info]goldfish and a [info]koi [/info] to put into a big outside pond. I would really like some idea of how deep such a pond should be, whether it can have a shallowing bit that would allow some papyrus-type plants.
The area of the pond will be approx 12ft x 5ft, then around a corner to 12ft x 6ft. There are places where it could be as much as 3ft deep.
I was thinking of constructing it concrete block. What plaster do I use? Same as for a pool?
Thanks for the help - there doesn't seem to be anyone on the island here who can help with this.
Lyn Rapley
We have 6 [info]shubunkin[/info], a large [info]fantail [/info]goldfish and a [info]koi [/info] to put into a big outside pond. I would really like some idea of how deep such a pond should be, whether it can have a shallowing bit that would allow some papyrus-type plants.
The area of the pond will be approx 12ft x 5ft, then around a corner to 12ft x 6ft. There are places where it could be as much as 3ft deep.
I was thinking of constructing it concrete block. What plaster do I use? Same as for a pool?
Thanks for the help - there doesn't seem to be anyone on the island here who can help with this.
Lyn Rapley
Welcome to fishforum Necolnv,
I am not an expert pond builder but have you thought about useing a pond liner? That is what we used and it was much cheaper then using concrete. I am not sure where you are from or the availability of liners in your area. I am sure Pond Digger will be along shortly and he can give you better advise as far as building.
Best of luck.
Thanks a lot for your response. By pond liner do you mean a soft plastic sheet that can drape over the area you wish to turn into a pond? Or is it a hard moulded plastic form that you dig a hole for?
I have a deck around which I would like to mould the pond. The reason I thought of using concrete was that would give me the option of putting in stepping stones on columns. These would act as places for the fish to hide from the sun and predators as well.
We are on the island of Sint Maarten in the NE Caribbean. I was going for a deeper pond to try and preserve some coolness in the water. I have one chance to get this right and appreciate all suggestions.
Many thanks,
Lyn
Thanks a lot for your response. By pond liner do you mean a soft plastic sheet that can drape over the area you wish to turn into a pond? Or is it a hard moulded plastic form that you dig a hole for?
I have a deck around which I would like to mould the pond. The reason I thought of using concrete was that would give me the option of putting in stepping stones on columns. These would act as places for the fish to hide from the sun and predators as well.
We are on the island of Sint Maarten in the NE Caribbean. I was going for a deeper pond to try and preserve some coolness in the water. I have one chance to get this right and appreciate all suggestions.
Many thanks,
Lyn
In personaly experience the soft plastic sheets are much better you can mold them and cut to anysize you wish. We used one of the hard plastic moulded ones the first year and were not happy with it.
Your thought of the stepping stones on columns sounds like a great idea, just not sure how to go about it. Sorry I can't be more of a help.
Well the size definately sounds large enough. Shallowing would allow for you to both have plants in that area and also allow the fish to come up there and rest or feed on natural critters that might fall in the water or live on the plants.
If you are sure you want it and sure of the dimmensions, I would use the concrete. Sealing it is another story but there are a lot of options. I have seen one locally where the pond was filled with conrete poured by hand and then a srpay in truck bed liner was used to seal it and make it water tight. You can also use the platic liner to seal it but any work done about it could tear holes in it.
Sounds like an awesome project and will add a huge asthetic value to your house.
If you use a rubber liner for your pond just make sure after you dig the hole to line the bottom with sand. After the sand is down you can then place the liner over the sand.
The sand under the liner prevents toxic gasses from building up. The gasses are bad for the liner and would rot it out if the sand is not used. Not to mention that the gasses are bad for the fishes health.
As for the spray in bed liner I highly advise against this. There are chemicles that will leech into the water and ultimately kill your fish.
As for mortar for the concrete I recomend quickcrete. After the concrete block are set in place and the mortar is dry. You can add a thin layer of quickcrete to cover the blocks. Since your using concrete blocks and they will be covered in a thin layer of quickcrete, I would get some epoxy paint that a lot of aquarist use when building there massive 1,000+ gallon fish tanks to cover the concrete and such.
I hope this helps you out!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Tropical Fish Keeping
597.8K posts
83.7K members
Since 2006
forum community dedicated to tropical fish owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about species,breeding, health, behavior, aquariums, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Open to fish, plants and reptiles living in freshwater or saltwater environments.