There is nothing more relaxing
then the sound of water trickling over rock
Koi ponds vary as much as the imagination. However, there are certain steps that must be taken to building a koi pond and making it safe for everyone around it. The first step would be to inform yourself of any legal permits or licences that will be needed and the security codes for the area in which you intend to build the pond. At this point it is wise to decide if a formal water pond is wanted or an informal one.
The simplest method to building the pond is to use a preformed or pre-molded liner pond. The pond will be small and difficult to expand in the future. This type of pond is worth considering, when you want a small pond for rearing small koi. It is also a good way of lining a small raised pond. However, many experts warn against the use of a rigid pond liner, if you want a well-balanced pond that doesn’t turn green with numerous algae that will grow. Recently tough black plastic ponds with long-term guarantees have been created with large surface areas and depths of more than one and half feet. Straight forward geometrical shapes are offered along side the convoluted ones and additional shelving for marginal plants has been improved. They are even made with a planting area for a bog garden, if that is so desired.
Of the rigid liner ponds, there are three materials of which to purchase them. Each one is of better quality and should come with at least a 10 year guarantee. The ordinary plastic liner is the least expensive one. It is also the least likely to stand up to the exposure to sunlight for very long. It is a vacuum-formed polythene and is only considered semi-rigid. A reinforced plastic is more practical since the smooth-walled shells have a high resistance to UV light and corners and floor are reinforced. A resin-bonded fibreglass liner is virtually indestructible by the elements and is considered the best construction material for a rigid liner pond.
The concrete pond is the most traditional method of building a koi pond. Some consider it the best type of finished pond because of its durability. It is still used in formal, large square or oblong pond shapes, but it is a job that professional masonry workers complete. However, to build a simple, round or oblong pond is within an amateurs capability if he or she has at least a little experience working with concrete. A concrete pond must be sealed before stocking because the lime tat is used is harmful to fish.
The flexible liner pond is possibly the most satisfying way for the do-it-yourself person, to build a koi pond. It can be built large enough to house numerous fish and plants and it is not limited to the size and depth offered by the other methods of building ponds. It is easier to transport and handle in the garden and price is comparable to the other types of liners. The drawback is that it is impossible to achieve the smooth surface and angles found in other types of liners. There are always ‘wrinkles’ in the liner that can be folder and smoothed out enough so not to pose a serious problem.
There are three types of liner sheeting that can be purchased. The polyethylene sheeting is easily torn and should be restricted to temporary ponds. It’s life is relatively short because it cracks after long exposure to sunlight. The PVC sheeting is strong and stretchable material which is about half the price of the more expensive butyl sheeting. The butyl sheeting is a synthetic rubber material and is by far the best available. It is unaffected by sunlight and frost, stretches readily and is available in any size.
Illustrated d0-it-yourself details on the construction and preparing each of these types of ponds for stock, and more are covered in my ebook, “Koi Care & Ponds Unlimited”.
Do you sell 45mil rubber liners of a large size (40×70) wholesale?
I don’t sell anything, just provide information to an interesting hobby. Koi and fish in general have always interested me.