gravel or sand over liner

[minpincer]

May be a dumb question but new deck pond I am building will have liner and I have read that sun can hurt it over time. I will have plants & floaters but am wondering if 1/4" of gravel or sand?? Have pea gravel in my current tub and it traps all kinds of yuck. would leaving it bare hurt the liner?? I use bricks and slate to elevate my current plants. Would they possibly put hole in liner? Sorry for all the quest. but first time w/liner. Picture of tub I have now with baby right over the word rubbermaid :grinyes: they are the reason for new pond :)

[oscarluvr]

i do not have anything on the bottom of mine. if it is epdm liner it has a 25 yr warranty

[minpincer]

Thanks, so it may outlive me and the fishies LOL

[Notophthalmus]

It's generally best to leave the bottom bare- cleaning is much easier this way, and you reduce risk of puncturing the liner. If you do use sand or gravel, use a shallow layer (1-2") to avoid buildup of anaerobic bacteria, which give off foul-smelling and potentially toxic gases.