pond paint

[jasongavras]

hello,
can anyone tell me what kind of paint i shd use to paint my outdoor cement pond so that my goldfish do not die? thx from nova scotia

 

[Notophthalmus]

You don't need to paint the cement. You can cure the surface with vinegar or other acid; hopefully someone else here can give you detailed instructions.

You can also just fill the pond, let it sit for a few weeks, then drain and refill it. Check the pH daily for several days; if it continues to climb, repeat the process. Eventually most of the CaCO3 that is going to leach will have done so, and you will be left with a fairly stable, neutral cement.