Using a Flexible liner is usually the most satisfactory way of creating a pond that is large enough to accommodate numerous aquatic plants and a variety of fish. You should not limited with the range of configurations and dimensions of Rigid liners offered in the catalogues and from the garden centres. The transportation and handling is also a great deal easier. Price really should not be a stumbling block because on an equal area basis, a high quality Flexible liner isn't more expensive than a fibreglass Rigid liner.
The only real drawback using a Flexible liner is that you can not achieve the superbly smooth surface and angles that you might find in a pre-formed style of liner. There will also be a handful wrinkles, but this should not pose any serious problems.
Plan to begin the task during the spring and during a reasonably dry spell of weather if you are lucky enough to have one. If the pond is to become permanent try to purchase butyl sheeting if you can. It will be the most expensive, but it should easily outlast other types and any tears usually are easily repaired. Where money is an issue choose the best quality PVC liner.
If you are building a temporary pond for breeding fish or holding the stock when you might be cleaning out a permanent pond then an affordable polythene sheeting is perfectly satisfactory.
One problem which occasionally arises when buying a Flexible liner is that some suppliers use trade names without stating within the catalogue just which construction material has been used. Just remember to ask before buying and ensure you check the length on the guarantee.
Rigid Liners:
Having a Rigid liner is maybe the simple way of making a small pond . It is worth considering if you merely need a pond for rearing fish, a little wildlife pond or even a mini-pond for a few aquatic plants and a couple of Goldfish. It’s also a great way of lining a raised pond.
Most experts over the years have warned against the installation of a Rigid liner if you want a well balanced pond for a range of aquatic plants and several other varieties of fish in water which won’t be green with algae. Until quite recently they were generally correct as there was a good list of drawbacks. The cheaper liners had an unacceptably short life span and were often tastelessly coloured. The depths were also generally lower than the critical 18 inches and the usual shape was too small and too fussy.
Things have changed rather a lot these days. You will find tough black plastic ponds having a long term guarantee along with sizes well over 40 sq. ft surface area and depths of in excess of 18 inches all readily available and undemanding geometrical shapes are offered alongside the convoluted ones. In combination with that they have shelving for Marginals which is a good improvement. There's even a variety of Rigid liners which have a planting area for Bog plants already built in to them.
When buying your liner make sure that the guarantee runs for at least 10 years and choose a dark colour if the construction material is plastic. Make certain the depth is deep enough and remember that an easy shape gives you more surface area for your hard earned cash than a fussy one.
Concrete Pond:
The normal style of pond which is still regarded by some as being the best is concrete. Concrete continues to be used where a large square or oblong pond is to be built, but that’s a job for a professional. But it is possible to build an easy round or oval pond if you have some experience of working with concrete. Do not forget that if you do do this yourself you do need to complete the job in one day. When the concrete has dried, paint the surface using a proprietary sealant like silglaze before filling the pond with water and stocking it. Raw concrete is harmful to the fish.
Author Resource:
I spend a great deal of my spare time in my garden but I must admit that most of it is spent either improving my pond or just sitting by it watching the world in water. A lot of my fascination with ponds was created with the help of a gardener london company. They gave me all the help and advice that I needed as and when I asked them for it.