lil help here :)

[bunlet]

Ok, I decided I'd like a pond so I dug a hole in the garden 6ft(length) x 3ft(width) x 4ft(depth). Its about 450 gallons lol. Anywayz, I put a tarp in it, a water resistant tarp because it was cheap :\ not the brightest thing to do but it was cheap... It's leaking so should I just buy a pond liner or is there something i'm missing. Will this project be doomed to fail? The pond is shaped like a big aquarium very rectangular not the safest thing if someone falls in but I would like the fishies to be able to survive the winter. I was hoping to make it like the small creek, and train tracks by my house and would have liked to have seen frogs and stuff grow there. Anyone ever make ther own pond with a liner and could give me some tips? Oh, and anyone in southern ontario, or michigan what do you guys keep in your ponds?

 

[Dangerdoll]

you will definitely need a pond liner, as you've found out, the tarp isn't sufficient for a ponds needs. Being in the Michigan area, you will probably want to invest in a heater for the winter months to keep the water from freezing at least in the center of the pond. Could it work, sure, as long as it's filtered in the warmer months, follow a strinct water schedule and use a heater for the center in the winter or freezing months.

 

[ohbly]

Ok, I decided I'd like a pond so I dug a hole in the garden 6ft(length) x 3ft(width) x 4ft(depth). Its about 450 gallons lol. Anywayz, I put a tarp in it, a water resistant tarp because it was cheap :\ not the brightest thing to do but it was cheap... It's leaking so should I just buy a pond liner or is there something i'm missing. Will this project be doomed to fail? The pond is shaped like a big aquarium very rectangular not the safest thing if someone falls in but I would like the fishies to be able to survive the winter. I was hoping to make it like the small creek, and train tracks by my house and would have liked to have seen frogs and stuff grow there. Anyone ever make ther own pond with a liner and could give me some tips? Oh, and anyone in southern ontario, or michigan what do you guys keep in your ponds?

if your making it rectangular with steep sides you should reinforce the sides with some treated plywood, otherwise the walls will cave in.
also get a good pvc pond liner, just be careful not to confuse it with the thinner black pvc sheeting. also make sure there is nothing that could possibly pucture the liner and cause a leak -stones, tree roots etc.
There are loads of web pages of building lined ponds I suggest you do alot of research and plan what you are going to do before ripping into it.
its much better to do things right the first time.

 

[Desertponder]

Oh, you definitly need a pond liner. PPL or EDPM. PPL liner is less expensive than EDPM and probably won't last as long but still an acceptable liner. EDPM is your best choice.
I agree that you will need something to support the sidewalls and prevent cave in.

 

[bunlet]

Which stores would carry pond liner? Canadian tire only has it with a kit, Rona doesn't have, Home depot?

 

[Desertponder]

Our Home Depot has the Firestone EDPM on the roll, you can buy the size you need.
They are the only place here that carries it on the roll. Everyone else has the boxed kits with the PPL liner.

Another source is roofing suppliers or contractors. They use the Firestone EDPM as a roofing membrane on many commercial buildings. It is the same stuff but the roofing membrane has a coating on it to keep it from sticking to itself. If you do get roofing membrane you will need to lay the liner out and wash it really well with a hose and brush to remove the coating. Let it lay in the sun for a few days and it will be fine.