Pond ponds | How to build a pond pond and what to look out for when buying a pond pond?

Garden centers and other garden stores often offer pond trays, but it is important to know that ponds, regardless of the type of pond, can also be constructed without these trays but using pond liner. The use of materials such as EPDM liner or PVC liner offers many advantages over ponds constructed with pond liners.

All about pond liners

• What is a pond tank?
• What types of pond containers exist?
• What is the difference between a pond container and building your own pond with pond liner?
• What should be placed at the bottom of a pond?
• How deep should a pond be?
• How do you install your own pond tank?

What is a pond tank?

A pond container is a pre-formed plastic or plastic container used to create a pond in the garden. These tubs come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can often be found in garden centers and other garden stores. The advantage of a pond container is that it is pre-formed and therefore easy to install, but the disadvantage is that the size and shape of the pond is limited by the dimensions of the container.

What types of pond containers exist?

If you are looking for a preformed pond, you have several types to choose from:

PE or HDPE

Polyethylene (PE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE): This type is like a king on the market. It is strong, flexible, impact resistant and has a long lifespan. It is no wonder it is the most popular choice!

Fiberglass reinforced polyester

Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester: This fabric is like a knight in shining armor - it is very dimensionally stable and therefore ideal for rectangular ponds. The only drawback is that it is less flexible and prone to abrasion.

Polyester

Polyester: This type is like an athlete - lightweight and fast. It's perfect for large pre-formed ponds or pools, as transportation costs are lower. And like a true champion, polyester is mainly used for koi ponds.

What is the difference between a pond container and building your own pond with pond liner?

There are several advantages to constructing a pond using pond liner instead of a pre-formed pond container:

Flexibility

With pond liner, you can easily customize the size and shape of the pond to meet the specific needs and requirements of your garden. This allows you to build a pond that perfectly suits the space available and the style of your garden.

Cost

Constructing a pond with pond liner is generally cheaper than using a pre-formed pond liner. The cost of pond liner is relatively low and you can easily cut the material to size.

Sustainability

Pond liner is made of high-quality materials that can withstand extreme weather conditions and UV rays. This makes the liner long-lasting and resistant to cracks or leaks.

Aesthetics

Pond liner offers more options for creating a natural look compared to a pre-formed pond surround. For example, by using foil you can create natural edges and cover the pond edges with stones or plants.

Convenience

Pond liner is easy to install and repair. If damaged, you can easily replace or repair the liner without having to drain the entire pond.

What should be placed at the bottom of a pond?

When setting up a pond, it is important to make sure you have a good foundation. Pond substrate is perfect for the bottom of the pond. The substrate provides a stable surface which is ideal for aquatic plants to take root and establish themselves properly, without rotting. Pond substrate also prevents the pond liner from being damaged by sharp objects or roots of pond plants. Also, a layer of pond substrate at the bottom of the pond offers a warm welcome to the right pond bacteria, they attach themselves to the stone grains or lava rocks. These bacteria have a water purifying effect, keeping the water naturally clear. A pond filter or pond pump is therefore not necessary, which saves costs. A combination of different types of aquatic plants in the pond is also indispensable, think of oxygen plants, marsh plants and water lilies.

How deep should a pond be?

Speaking of pond depth, the deepest part of a natural pond is usually about 80 cm deep. This is also the minimum depth recommended for keeping fish. Deeper than 80 cm is not always necessary and can even be unfavorable, because then the water does not warm up properly in summer. So it is wise to limit the depth of a pond to about 80-100 cm.

How do you install your own pond tank?

Building a pond tank is not as difficult as you may think. The steps below will help you with this.

1. Determine the desired size and shape of your pond, this depends on your own personal preferences. Also determine the desired location of your pond, it is advisable to draw this out on paper to give yourself a clear picture.
2. Once you know where your pond should be located make sure the ground is level. You do this by removing weeds and moving accumulated soil out of the way with a shovel.
3. Dig a pond pit about 10 centimeters deeper and wider than the depth and width of the pre-formed pond. Apply a good 10 centimeters of blowing sand or sheet sand to the bottom of the pit so that the pond container will protrude slightly above the pit when placed. After filling with water, the pond container will sink slightly into the sand due to its weight. Choose a pond container that you like, for example a small pond container or a pond container in the shape of a rectangle. 
4. Place the pond body in the center of the pit so that there is the same amount of free space around the pond. Level the pre-formed pond by sliding the level beam back and forth across the edge of the pond in all directions; the top edge must be exactly level. Otherwise, when filling the pond, one side will already overflow while the other side still has water under the edge and the visible wall 
5. Apply a 10- to 15-centimeter layer of pond substrate or soil to the bottom for aquatic plants.
6. Now it's time to add your aquatic plants and water to the pond. Fill the pond to just below the rim and wait for the water plants to emerge. Now it's time to start enjoying your pond.

Frequently asked questions about pond liners