Hard Liners

You were cruising the garden center at your friendly neighborhood discount store and came across a lovely preformed pond. The price was right, the instructions guaranteed ease of installation and you bought it. First problem? Getting it home! Luggage racks and station wagons will haul many things, but not your usual performed pond. Sweet talk, or bribe, a friend with a pick-up truck or van to take it home for you. Now what? Follow the instructions at "Fiberglass Preformed Ponds" (the instructions will work on any preformed pond) and presto! You have a pond.

The pros of preform are obvious, cost, and relative ease and speed of installation. What about ascetics? "Small Pond" shows the answer to be yes, they can be very pleasing to the eye. "Rob and Jen's Pond" isn't a preformed pond, exactly, but the principle is the same.

The drawbacks are, you are tied to shape and size. Usually they are not deep enough for overwintering fish, the shelves are often not wide enough to be useful, but are wide enough to give a racoon a cute little seat at the goldfish buffet, and you may not want any shelves at all.

Usually folks who choose these will decide to build another larger, deeper, shapelier pond in the future.

I think "preformed" make very nice first ponds, letting the new ponder get his/her feet wet, without getting soaked. {Puns intended :-)}

The Cement Pond (Not just for Beverly Hills)

Cement is a standard for pond building. It has been in use for many years. Many fine ponds are made of cement, as "Split Rock" demonstrates.

What about cost? Estimates I have seen puts the cost at about the same as the flexible liners. That is debatable as the actual cost will depend on how thick the walls are. Some recommend 4" min., others say 6" is better. Also remember to figure in the cost of re-bar and mesh reenforcement, as well as forms and any sealer you need.

When done right it is very durable, withstanding UV rays and weather changes. That is the crux of the matter, can you or will you do it right?

Exactly what is "right?" "Cement Ponds" gives some instructions. "Construction of Concrete Ponds" gives more information.

What about the negative? Effort is the first. I have done a little cement work and the "work" should be capitalized. Time is the next factor to consider, if you are impatient, cement may not be the best choice for you. Finally location. If you are building your pond in a tree filled area, be forewarned that cement may develop hairline cracks as the tree roots grow. In the area I live, the ground heaves quite a bit in the winter, this too can cause cracks to occur.

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