Building a fairly large cement pond DIY (+pics soon)
- Thread starter wolf22t
- Start date
Hi, Where are you building this pond? From using the word 'render' instead of 'mortar', I can see you are from outside the US. And since you are planting a type of palm in there, that means you are not from Canada, South Africa, or the UK. Australia, mate?
I have some experience with swimming pool construction, so I can give you a few pointers.
1. Did you use re-bar in the concrete? It will keep your pond from cracking. If you didn't, it shouldn't be a problem because your depth is small and your walls are thick. If you do get cracks in the future, you can coat it with a rubber base paint.
2. Did you already run your plumbing? It is easier to plumb a hole in the ground that you will line with concrete, rather than plumb a concrete shell in the ground. Again, it is not the end of the world if you got the order wrong. Rent a hammer drill to chisle holes for your plumbing if you forgot to add holes or if you want to make changes.
3. Consider swimming pool parts for easy maintenance or just to customize your installation. You can use the drains and skimmers to help keep it clean. They come in black but may have to be special ordered. You can also add a small underwater light from a pool or spa for night time visual effects.
4. Pumps for most swimming pools are too large for your pond unless you are looking for rapids
Inflatable pools and small above ground pools may use pumps that are suitabe for your pond. Wal-mart sells a small pump/filter combo for $60 (US) but it may be too small since you have a waterfall.
5. As for filters, the bigger the better. A small swimming pool filter will do well for your pond.
6. The concrete, if untreated, will constantly drive your pH through the roof and will kill your fish. It can be coated with rubber base pool paint or epoxy pool paint. I do not know if exterior deck paint will work but you can ask at a paint store. You can also cure the concrete by adding a bunch of salt at your first fill and then letting the pond sit with it for a week. Drain and re-fill the pond with fresh water and then let it sit for another week. Check the pH to see if it has risen.
I have some experience with swimming pool construction, so I can give you a few pointers.
1. Did you use re-bar in the concrete? It will keep your pond from cracking. If you didn't, it shouldn't be a problem because your depth is small and your walls are thick. If you do get cracks in the future, you can coat it with a rubber base paint.
2. Did you already run your plumbing? It is easier to plumb a hole in the ground that you will line with concrete, rather than plumb a concrete shell in the ground. Again, it is not the end of the world if you got the order wrong. Rent a hammer drill to chisle holes for your plumbing if you forgot to add holes or if you want to make changes.
3. Consider swimming pool parts for easy maintenance or just to customize your installation. You can use the drains and skimmers to help keep it clean. They come in black but may have to be special ordered. You can also add a small underwater light from a pool or spa for night time visual effects.
4. Pumps for most swimming pools are too large for your pond unless you are looking for rapids
Inflatable pools and small above ground pools may use pumps that are suitabe for your pond. Wal-mart sells a small pump/filter combo for $60 (US) but it may be too small since you have a waterfall. 5. As for filters, the bigger the better. A small swimming pool filter will do well for your pond.
6. The concrete, if untreated, will constantly drive your pH through the roof and will kill your fish. It can be coated with rubber base pool paint or epoxy pool paint. I do not know if exterior deck paint will work but you can ask at a paint store. You can also cure the concrete by adding a bunch of salt at your first fill and then letting the pond sit with it for a week. Drain and re-fill the pond with fresh water and then let it sit for another week. Check the pH to see if it has risen.
Hey thanks chompers
Ok lets start from the beginning
no sign of cracking yet
Its good to see a few more people in this section of the forum i hope it gets better...
Ok lets start from the beginning
Yeah i got that in it
no sign of cracking yet
I will draw a rough diagram and show you my plan but yeah i have started to run conjuent under the rocks etc
I was thinking of a location for a skimmer but havent come up with anything yet
I have got some waterproofing pond paint which i will be painting on soon
Its good to see a few more people in this section of the forum i hope it gets better...
Last edited:
Latest update
The pond is now painted with the first coat of aquatite the second coat will go on tomorrow. There are some plants inbetween the rocks and some mondo grass. The waterfall should be in action in the next few days when i get my pump and when the paint has cured properly.
Heres a pic
The pond is now painted with the first coat of aquatite the second coat will go on tomorrow. There are some plants inbetween the rocks and some mondo grass. The waterfall should be in action in the next few days when i get my pump and when the paint has cured properly.
Heres a pic
