Plastic to Concrete
Garden Pond Liners
The Types of Pond Liners
Every garden pond needs a pond liner to keep the pond water from seeping away into the ground and leaving you and your Koi high and dry. In the past many ponds were simply poured concrete the way old swimming pools used to be. This was unfavorable since concrete is prone to cracking and needs to be replaced every now and then, which requires a complete upset in the everyday life of your pond and its inhabitants. Then when the project is finished you have to go through the process of restabilizing the life in your pond. There are two basic types of pond liners, rigid pools and flexible liners.
Rigid Pools:
Rigid pools are basically, pre-molded plastic tubs. It's kind of like you're setting in a bathtub when you put one of these in. They are very good for newbie's to the backyard pond business, because they are much easier to install than pond liners and they are strong. Most rigid pools are made up of fiberglass and bonded resins, some of the cheaper versions may be simple black plastic but are still fairly strong.
These pools can come in a basic geometric shape, such as a rectangle or can be more organically formed. You can even have a few pools that flow into each other on a gentle slope. There are an endless number of ways to make use of this easy to install pond base.
Pond Liners:
Since the discovery of plastic polymers there has been a renaissance in the world of pond liners. Suddenly everyday people could go out and buy a roll of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and lay it in a hole in the ground for your pond’s base. It’s more common now to use EPDM because its formulated to be safe for both plants and animals and its flexible at temperatures ranging from -40 F to 175 F so you can install EPDM pond liners in any season and just about any locality, though its not recommended that you start an outdoor pond in Alaska during the cold season. EPDM is also resistant to ultraviolet light radiation and won’t become brittle and crack with age as many other types of plastics do.
This stuff is great because it’s so flexible you can create any size and shape of pond. Don't be concerned about the water spilling out due to shifting. Really--the pond is a hole in the Earth with water, so unless you happen to be in an earthquake prone area it's not too likely that the EPDM or ground will shift enough to cause a tear or spillage. Also the stuff has a very high elongation which basically means it stretches a good deal, so there is no need to worry about tree roots growing under the pond and tearing the plastic.
To be on the safe side it is recommended that you leave about two feet of excess EPDM or PVC around the ponds edge to help deal with unforeseen problems. You can cover this with a light layer of dirt and stone edging. Typically an underlayer of material is placed under the liner to help protect it from the possibility of sharp rocks.
nd Lighting Provides Much Illumination
Those looking to make their ponds into a showplace for the guests and envious neighbors can make use of lighting to accent certain areas or to create a fantastic visual display. Or perhaps you like to watch your pond at night and just want to highlight a few areas for your own enjoyment. Pond lights come in many forms of color, changing colors, types, and power usage. You just need to decide what you want.
It is recommended that you sit down and plan out the desired placement for your pond lighting before heading to the store. Electricity and water doesn’t always make for the best combination so you want to be very certain of where your outlets are and what power expenditure is involved. Never attempt to use an extension cord to run power out to the pond for lighting or any other reason. It may be best to have a professional install outdoor outlets.
Koi pond owners like to show off the colors of their fish. Well placed lighting can be set under the water to catch the flashing of Koi’s scales. Or if you have particularly colorful lily pads you can set them off with lights around the ponds edging. Most underwater lighting uses a 12 volt halogen lamp which is relatively safe. The lights should be attached to a transformer that is marked safe for outdoor use. Do be sure to check for the UL and CSA listing on the transformer that states safe for outdoor use because not all transformers are created for outside and underwater use.
Solar technology has offered an alternative to pond owners who are reluctant to use electricity near their ponds. Lucky for us the technology is widely available in the form of outdoor lighting these days. Plus it creates a magical feel without the obviousness of cords and outlets.
You can find floating pond lights to place in your pond. During the day they will absorb energy from the Sun and once its dark a sensor switches them on. They usually come in a pale blue or the more normal white light. Depending on how much money you are willing to invest in your solar pond lights you may find that they last after dark for varying amounts of time. Some only retain a charge for a few hours after dark, others can stay lit the whole night. It depends on the quality of the system.
Other pond lighting systems may come with replaceable colored lenses. They are typically thin sheets of transparent colored plastic that can be slid in and out of a holder on the front of the lamp whenever you feel like a different color for a different mood. Using these lenses to set off the water coming from your fountain can really create a fantastic effect.
You can also set off the landscaping surrounding your pond. Place solar powered lanterns along a path that will lead you out to the pond so you don’t trip over yourself on the way there. Illuminate seating so you can make sure you aren’t going to sit on bugs, snakes or even a local raccoon.