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Water Garden Maintenance Guide

Published by Nichole on May 17th, 2012 - in Algae Problems, Aquatic Life, Blanket Weed, Pond Maintenance, Water Garden
water garden

water garden

Like any other ecosystem, a water garden also has a life cycle. Basically, the aging process of a pond is impacted by the surrounding environment. This process is called eutrophication, which can either be human-caused or natural. Naturally, it occurs in situation where nutrients accumulate or where they flow into systems on an ephemeral basis. Artificially, it occurs when human activity introduces increased amounts of these nutrients via untreated sewage effluent and agricultural run-off carrying fertilizers.

If left untreated, such situation can lead to serious problems, which can destroy your entire pond ecosystem. Therefore, it is very important for pond owners to learn the proper pond maintenance that can help keep their water garden clean, healthy and safe for pond life. In this article we shall discuss about the proactive approach in managing garden ponds and reversing the process of eutrophication. This technique involves the ABC of solving and creating a well-balanced pond ecosystem, which includes aeration, beneficial bacteria and colorant.

1. Aeration – One of the keys to successful pond keeping is having a good aeration system. It is because stagnant water often promotes the growth of algae, plant-like organisms that can destroy the beauty of your water garden and stress your fish. By simply adding oxygen to your pond can help you double water clarity, reduce presence of ammonia and muck, as well as eliminate thermal stratification.

When choosing an aeration system, you have to make sure that it fits the requirement of your pond. As a rule of thumb, one diffuser must be used per acre. In case your pond has an irregular shape, it is often necessary to use more than one diffuser. Depth, elevation and number of diffusers will determine the compressor sizing. If you are uncertain about this matter, then you can always your supplier to help you with the proper sizing.

2. Beneficial bacteria – Also known as probiotics, these microorganisms occur naturally in a pond. Their primary function is to decompose decaying organic matter such as dead leaves, fish wastes and left-over food. But once these nutrients exceed the number of beneficial bacteria in the water, muck and algae can now grow invasively in your water garden.

In this case, it is highly recommended to add more probiotics to the pond to help bring the balance back. Nowadays, there are various probiotics available in the market that you can choose from. As much as possible, you should make some research first before buying the product you need. Do not forget to ask them to help you with the right sizing and dosage rates.

3. Colorant – Most popularly known as pond dye, this water colorant is a great tool to limit the amount of sunlight penetrating into the pond. It works by giving the water a good shade, thus preventing algae and weeds from growing into your pond. This product comes in different shades, including natural blue, reflective black, blue green shade, as well as blue/yellow blends. It will not only help you control the growth of algae, but also adds some visual fair to your water garden.

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Information on Proper Pond Care and Pond Plants

Published by Nichole on May 17th, 2012 - in Aquatic Life, Clear Water, Green Water, Pond Maintenance, Water Garden

pond

pond

Pond Plants

Pond plants are plants that can be planted near or within a pond, which offer lots of benefits that can effectively keep a water garden clean and healthy. There are several different types of water plants that you can add to your pond, which include oxygenating, floaters, marginal, marsh and submerged plants. These plants have their own purpose and special requirements. In this article we shall talk about the different areas of the pond where you need to place each of these pond plants.

Here are some of the different plants that you can add in your water garden and their corresponding pond zones:

1.  Oxygenating Plants – these plants grow under water, which may come in two forms – bunches and potted. These plants help in providing sufficient amount of oxygen in the water, which is beneficial to pond life.

2.  Floating Plants – these are good additions to a water garden as they provide shade against excessive sunlight and shelter for the fish. Just simply place them on top of the pond water and they will grow naturally, except for Parrot’s Feather, which need to be weighted with a light rubber band around the stems to prevent them from floating around the pond.

3.  Marginal Plants – these plants are those that live with their roots under the water but the rest of the plant above the surface. They are usually placed in the shallow area around the edge of the pond.

4.  Marsh plants – these are semi-aquatic plants that grow in soft wet land, which give a natural feel to a large pond area.  These must be place on the edge of the pond or in an area where there is damp soil.

Pond Care

While these plants can offer a bunch of advantages to your pond, there are certain measures that you need to take to ensure that good water quality is maintained. First of all you have to keep the population of your pond plants to at least one half of your garden pond surface area. This number is enough to allow submerged plants in replenishing oxygen levels in the water.

The best time to introduce pond plants is early summer when water temperature is only beginning to warm up.  If you wish to add water lilies in your water garden, just be sure to divide them regularly and re-pot them on separate containers. If not being potted, water lilies can benefit from supplementary feed that can encourage better flowering. Always snip off any tatty leaves to avoid decomposing vegetation building up in the pond. Additionally, thin out excessive growth of underwater oxygenating plants.

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Pond Maintenance Tips: Solving Common Pond Problems

Published by Nichole on May 17th, 2012 - in Algae Problems, Clear Water, Pond Maintenance, Water Garden
pond

pond

As most pond keepers say, the key to a successful pond keeping is ensuring that the water is clear and healthy. This is because when your pond water is crystal clear and chemically balanced, you can be sure that your fish is kept in good shape.

But if you notice some changes in the behaviour, appearance and number of your fish, then you should be alarmed that the water balance may be slightly off and a surge of algal growth may result. In this case, regular checking of the water chemistry is necessary to ensure that the levels of pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate are kept on its optimal level. Make the appropriate adjustments whenever necessary.

One of the most basic steps that you can do in keeping a clean and healthy pond is adding some pond plants. These plants will not only help keep the chemical balance in your pond water in check, but will also control the growth of algae by giving your pond enough shade against excessive sunlight and feeding on excess nutrients that nourish algae. As much as possible, you must grow sufficient number of plants that can cover more than 50 percent of water surface.

As a matter of fact, oxygenating plants are very efficient in absorbing minerals and carbon dioxide, which can starve out the algae. On the other hand, it is important to remove any decaying foliage and flowers to avoid them from also polluting the water. In late spring or early autumn, you must divide the pond plants that are overgrown using a spade or a knife then replant them individually.

Here are some of the plants that you can add in your water garden, which can certainly offer a lot of benefits to your pond. They are not just very effective in keeping the balance in your pond ecosystem, but also provide added beauty and enchanting aroma that can also attract wildlife. These include:

1.  Pontederia cordata – these are free spreading marginal plants with spikes of blue flowers at the end of summer.

2.  Nymphaea Pygmaea Helvola – most popularly known as dwarf waterlily, these plants are perfect for smaller ponds with bright yellow cupped flowers

3.  Nymphaea Gonnere – this is a variety of waterlilies with scented white flowers

4.  Iris laevigata – also known as Japanese water iris, these plants usually grow in shallow water.

5.  Butomus umbellatus – these are flowering plants with distinctive umbels of pink flowers on metre-long stems

In autumn, you must prepare your pond to avoid problems associated with ice formation in winter. As much as possible, you must keep your pond water free from decaying vegetation by simply removing dying foliage regularly and prune back excess growth of submerged plants. Cover the surface of your pond with netting to easily catch the falling leaves and prevent them submerging at the bottom.

In winter when the water temperature is extremely low and ice has already formed in the surface of your pond, it is very important to keep a small air hole in the ice to facilitate proper gas exchange and to prevent stress to the fish while they are hibernating. You can do this by simply installing a pond de-icer or pond heater to reduce the excess pressure on the pond. Or you may also pour in boiling water directly to the ice to keep a little space where oxygen could get in and toxic gases to escape. But never ever smash the ice.

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Pond Equipment: Choosing the Right Garden Pond Pump

Published by Nichole on May 17th, 2012 - in Pond Equipment, Pond Filters, Pond Maintenance, Pond Pump
pond equipment

pond equipment

If you are planning to build a garden pond in your outdoor area, one of the important things you should never forget is the need for pond pumps. This pond equipment is considered the heart of an artificial water garden for this is responsible for circulating the water in and around the pond and for driving all the dirt to the pond filtration system.

In this case, it is essential to choose the right pump that can effectively move the entire pond water for one to two hours. In this article, we shall tackle about the different factors that you should consider in choosing the right pond pump for your outdoor water feature. These include the following:

One is the pond volume. This refers to the maximum amount of water that a pond pump can circulate through the entire pond ecosystem in a given time, which can be measure in gallons per hour. Another factor you should consider is the size of your water garden. Of course if you have a small pond, it is not appropriate to install a large pump that can rapidly move the water in your pond. Doing so will only result in unpleasant conditions that you will regret eventually.

If you do not have any idea about this particular concern, do not hesitate to ask a professional to help you ascertain the right size for your garden pond. They are also very reliable in choosing what pump best suits your needs. Nowadays, there are two main types of garden pond pumps that you can choose from – the submersible and the external pump. Between the two, the most commonly used is the submersible type because it is easier to use and cheaper to buy.

External pump, on the other hand, are much easier to maintain and generally give a more hassle free experience in the long run. While most of these pumps are powered by electricity, there are some that rely on the power of the sun, which is much less expensive than electric types. However, you should realize that while solar power is limited, this particular type of pumps is not very reliable for long term use.

Ultimately, you should never forget to look for warranty before buying garden pond pumps. Ideally, you should buy something that offers a year of product warranty. If in doubt, consult a professional.

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Essential Koi Pond Supplies for Successfully Breeding Koi Carps

Published by Nichole on May 16th, 2012 - in Aquatic Life, Fish Ponds, Koi health, Koi Keeping
koi pond

koi pond

If you want to be successful in breeding Koi carps, it is very important for you to understand their specific needs and requirements. Basically, Koi need a healthy environment in order to grow and live in their maximum potential. In this article, we shall enumerate some of the essential pond supplies for breeding Koi. First one is good filtration. This is essential so as to give them the most suitable and comfortable place to live in.

There are two primary types of filtration – mechanical and biological filtrations. Nowadays, most of the pond filters available on the market utilize a combination of these mechanisms. It works by removing all of the water contaminants that can affect the health of fish, thus keeping water quality at the most desirable condition. In order for the filtering machine to work, on the other hand, a quality pond pump is often necessary to maintain the cleanliness of water.

Pond pump works by continuously moving the water and driving the filtering device, keeping the water fresh and clean all the time. While pond pumps are not created equal, it is critical that you buy the right size and type of pump for your particular pond needs. As much as possible, you should purchase a pump capable of moving at least half of the total pond water volume in an hour. If you have multiple water features, you must also take these into consideration to ensure that they run accordingly.

You may also ask some advice or suggestions from the expert or a local pond dealer to help you choose the right type of pump for your water feature. The third vital pond supplies is aeration. Like any other living creatures, aquatic organisms such as fish, plants and beneficial bacteria also need adequate amount of oxygen in order to perform their function properly. There are several ways on how you can achieve this. You can either install added water features such as fountain or simply utilize a quality pond aerator. This device is used primarily to increase the oxygen saturation in fish ponds, thus sustaining the basic needs and requirements of pond life.

Another important supply needed for breeding Koi is a dechlorinator. This chemical is a must have, especially for pond keepers who are using tap water. While tap water contains traces of chlorine, a toxic chemical that can affect fish health, it is highly recommended to treat the water first with a dechlorinator to remove this chemical and prevent it from poisoning your Koi. When it comes to maintaining good water quality, on the other hand, it is advisable to test the water on a regular basis using pond test kits. This will help you determine the levels of pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and dissolved oxygen in the water accurately, helping you to adjust it the right way.

When it comes to correcting the water chemistry, you may also need some commercially packaged bacteria or enzymes, which will help decompose excess nutrients in the water. As far as controlling algae growth is concerned, use of pond dyes is a must. This natural water colorants can give your pond water a dark shade, thus reducing the amount of sunlight penetrating into the water. It is best to use this product in early springtime before the germination of algae occurs in your Koi pond.

While Koi fish are prone to being attacked by predators such as Great Blue Herons, raccoons, otters and cats, it is also advisable to cover your pond with some pond net. This will help keep predators from wading into the water and even prevent falling dead leaves from getting in your pond and contaminating it. Lastly, stock up with quality Koi foods as you will need to feed them daily. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of Koi fish foods available on the market. As much as possible, you should choose Koi foods that are rich in nutrients like protein, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Breeding Koi is indeed one of the most pleasurable hobbies or venture anyone can engage into. However, it is very important that you give them the best possible care in order to become successful in breeding them.  With these essential pond supplies on hand, Koi pond keeping will be much easier, making the experience more enjoyable for you.

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Fast and Easy Garden Pond Construction Guide

Published by Nichole on May 16th, 2012 - in Pond Building, Pond Equipment, Pond Filters, Pond Liners, Pond Pump, Water Garden
pond construction

pond construction

The first step in easy garden pond construction project is planning. Planning will help you choose the right size and design of pond suitable for the size, quality of soil and overall design of your garden landscaping. This is also crucial to help you find the right pond supplies and materials needed for the project at a price you can afford. Perhaps one of the important pond supplies that you need to take into consideration is the pond liners.

Pond liners are impermeable geosynthetic materials used primarily for lining fish ponds, pools and artificial streams. This is an essential concern when planning to build a garden pond since it affects the size, shape and design of your desired water feature. There are several types of pond liners available on the market today that you can choose from. These include the preformed liners, flexible pond liners and concrete liners. For fast and easy installation, perhaps the perfect choice for you is the prefabricated liner or the flexible one.

Between the two, preformed liners are the quickest to install and easiest to handle since it is already available in a predetermined shape and size. If you want to incorporate a more complex garden pond design, then you may want to choose some flexible liners such as those made out of PVC, EPDM or butyl rubber. In addition to pond liners, you will also need to buy an underlayment of the same size to protect your liner from being damaged. Once you have gathered all the necessary pond materials, you can now proceed to the actual construction.

Step 1 – Marking the form of your water garden

First of all, you must remove all plants and undergrowth on the area where you want to install the water feature. As soon as everything is cleared, you can now mark the shape of your pond on the ground using a hose or a chalk. Ideally, you should not construct your pond near trees or bushes to prevent the need for frequent cleaning of fallen dead leaves out of the pond. If possible, you must install your pond in an area where it can receive direct sunlight at least four to six hours a day.

Step 2 – Dig the hole for your garden pond

As soon as you have marked the ground with the shape of your desired water feature, you can now begin digging the ground. If you are using preformed liners, you must dug out the same depth your tub has. While digging; be sure to remove all sharp objects that can puncture your liner such as stones, rocks or tree roots. It is also advisable to provide an overflow of about 30 centimeters when you construct a garden pond. Basically, pond and overflow have to be 100 percent horizontal to avoid the pond from leaking.

Step 3 – Put the underlayment and install the pond liner

Once you have cleared the bottom of the pond hole, it is now time to put the underlayment. If you are using sand, spread it evenly so that everything is covered. If you are using a soft fabric, just simply lay the material carefully on the hole. Afterwards, install the pond liner. If you are using a prefabricated liner, all you have to do is to sit the tub on the hole and fill the edges with soil. For flexible liners, on the other hand, the best thing you can do is to line the material on the hole, trying to avoid any creases or folds. With this material, never attempt to pull it through your garden to avoid any damages nor step on it with your shoes.

Step 4 – Fill the pond with water and arrange the finishing touches

The moment you have settled the liner, next step you need to do is to fill the pond with water. If you are using flexible liners, you must pay attention to any folds or tensions that stretch. Avoid overstretching. To hide the extra liners, cut some centimetre behind the overflow and cover it with rocks, stones or pavers. After that, install the essential pond equipment such as filters, pumps and aerators. Run it and see if they are working properly. In case you are using tap water, do not forget to treat it with a quality pond dechlorinator prior to the introduction of fish and plants since chlorine content can potentially cause damage to both vegetation and aquatic animals. As much as possible, wait for at least eight weeks before you stock it with fish to properly establish its balance.

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Importance of Pond Pumps and Pond Filters Combined

Published by Nichole on May 16th, 2012 - in Clear Water, Pond Equipment, Pond Filters, Pond Liners, Pond Maintenance, Pond Pump, Water Garden
pond pump

pond pump

Two of the most important pond equipment are pond pumps and filters. These equipment are used primarily to keep the water clean and fresh all the time. Without these equipment, water in your pond will remain stagnant and high in organic nutrients, encouraging the unnecessary growth of algae and other bacteria. Once these harmful aquatic organisms take over your pond, all of your efforts will turn into a very unsightly water container. So to make sure that your backyard fish pond remains clean, safe and healthy for pond life, you should not underestimate what these pond equipment can do for your water feature. Now to help you understand how these two devices work, here is a brief discussion for you.

How does pond pumps work?

The primary functions of a pond pump are to help filter, oxygenate and circulate the water in the pond. It works by drawing the pond water into the filtering device where all the debris are trapped and removed from circulation. Once the water has been filtered out, it is then jetted out from the pump through another port and returned to pond, fully oxygenated. Take note that oxygen is an essential element in pond keeping since it sustains the basic needs of aquatic organisms such as plants, fish and beneficial pond bacteria.

How does pond filters work?

Basically, pond filters are used to help purify the water, keeping it a conducive place for pond life. There are different types of pond filters – mechanical and biological filters. Mechanical filters are used to remove larger debris from water such as dead leaves, fish waste, leftover food and fertilizers; while biological filters make use of beneficial bacteria to help decompose excess nutrients in the pond such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate. Nowadays, most pond filters utilize both mechanisms, removing some of the solids that are circulated through the pump and breaking down these waste products with the help of aerobic bacteria, which have colonized in the system.

Why is it important to have a combination of pond filters and pump in your pond?

While the bacteria in biofilters need adequate amount of oxygen and circulation in order to effectively convert waste into nitrate chemicals, it is critical to run the right kind of pond pump 24/7 to keep the bacteria from growing and colonizing. Bear in mind that the larger the colony of bacteria in the pond, the quicker they can destroy waste build up, thus preventing algae bloom and bacterial growth.

Finding the right pond pump

When choosing the right type of pond pump for your specific backyard fish pond needs and requirements, there are certain factors you need to consider. First factor is the operating cost of your pump. As much as possible, you should purchase an energy efficient pond pump. Secondly, the pump capacity. As a rule of thumb, your pump must be able to move at least half of the total water volume of your pond in an hour. So when looking for garden pond pumps; be sure to check if the specifications meet your needs. Last factor is the need for electrical supply. While most pond equipment is powered by electricity, you should never forget to consider the power outlet proximity. Take this into consideration while finding the perfect location for your pond.

Finding the right pond filters

There is a wide variety of pond filters available on the market today that you can choose from. These include the submersible filters, pond UV clarifiers, bead filters and biofilter media. Each of these has its own special features and purpose. When looking for the right filtering machine for your pond needs, you should always take into consideration the number and size of your fish population, the density of the filter media, as well as the capacity of your pond pump.

While these two pond equipment are designed to work together, it is advisable to buy compatible pond pumps and filters to ensure optimal clarity and health in your fish pond or backyard water garden.

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The Three Different Types of Pond Liners – Explained

Published by Nichole on May 16th, 2012 - in Pond Equipment, Pond Liners, Pond Maintenance, Water Garden
pond liner

pond liner

When it comes to the installation of water garden or backyard fish pond, there are three primary types of pond liners that you can choose from. These include the flexible liners, prefabricated liners and concrete. Each of this lining material has its own special features, which can surely fit any type of garden pond needs.

1.  Preformed Liners

Out of these choices, the easiest to install is the prefabricated liners. This lining material is either made out of plastic or fibreglass, which is available in a variety of size, shape and thickness. It is also quite durable and can last for a very long time as long as it is handled properly. It works best in small to medium garden ponds. Perhaps the only problem with this material is its inflexibility. It also provides very little in the way of customization, but can still be well utilized with some careful planning. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of prefabricated liners available on the market. To make sure that you purchase the right type of preformed tubs for your garden, it is highly recommended to visit some of the online dealers that offer such product. These sources give you an idea of the difference in scale.

2.  Flexible Pond Liners

As far as flexibility is concerned, it is always advisable to use a flexible liner. This pond liner is available in a range of materials such as PVC, EPDM and Butyl rubber; thickness; and sizes. Out of the many flexible pond liners available, PVC liners are the cheapest and easiest to manipulate because of its lightweight material. While they are generally thinner, the more susceptible they become to puncture or damage. And even though it contains UV inhibitors to protect itself from sun damage, the primary concern still revolves around damage from rocks, roots and animal visitors. For better performance, you may opt to use EPDM or butyl rubber. These two materials are far more durable, puncture and tear resistant, and able to withstand temperature extremes. Whatever type of flexible liner you decide to use, just make sure that it has a warranty of at least 20 years. It should also pose no detrimental effects to fish health.

3.  Concrete Liners

If you are looking for the sturdiest type of liner, then why don’t you go for concrete liners? This lining material is perfect for constructing any size, shape or depth of water feature. In fact, it can even be integrated to design a literal work of art in the landscape. While the surface of concrete ponds if commonly porous, then you might need to use more chemicals and filtration to prevent it from encouraging unnecessary algae growth. Additionally, concrete often requires careful handling during construction, thus hiring a professional contractor is highly recommended. Once rendered, it also has to be painted with at least two coats of a purpose made pond paint to increase its durability and resistance to changes in climate. When designed and constructed accordingly with a help of a professional, you can be sure that it will last for a very long time.

Although your choice of pond liner is mostly personal, it is very important for you to choose the one that can truly give you the most benefits. If you are aiming for easy installation, then you might as well pick the prefabricated liners. For more permanent choice, then you may also go for concrete liners, as they can be very difficult to remove or restructure. In case your primary concerns are flexibility, durability and easy installation, then flexible liners are the perfect choice for you. These liners can easily be reshaped and reset for future use. Whichever you may choose, do not forget that proper design and installation are crucial to make any of these pond liners a successful Endeavour.

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Plants are perfect option of decorating a water garden

Published by Nichole on May 15th, 2012 - in Aquatic Life, Water Garden
Water Garden

Water Garden

Whatever may be the reason plants have always been the first option of a person for decoration and or making the house look beautiful. The credit of the beautiful garden goes always to the flowers it shows up. Different sizes, shapes, colours, smell all add to the elegance of the place. When we talk about water garden once again plants will go to work perfectly. What a wonderful combination of water and flowers. Here many people think that one has no option just to plant water lilies in the water. But let me tell you one think that I do not agree with you as there are ample varieties of flowers with which we can go with.

From marginal to submerged and floating to horizontal the choices are endless but before we go on with anything I would like to say that when choosing a plant just thing about the soil and the places where it will be grown. This is because each plant has its need and condition and when these two things goes perfectly then obviously there will be nothing that could prevent the flowers from showing their amazing qualities. Here are I would love to pose some examples like the marginal plant called sagitarria needs to be put in a shell in the pond while if talk about the other plants they can grow in the container by making use of bricks. While the bog plants like alisma, water Howthorn can even be grown in the soil.

Coming to the submerged plants they can be planted in loams. These plants are called as oxygenators as they provide oxygen to the pond. Among them Elodea, Canadian Pondweed can be grown in shallow water or submerged in the water. When we talk about koi’s these plants will be making a good habitat for them but in case of ducks they are not at all suited some of them can even become invasive.

As for the time period some individuals think that the plants can be grown any time but that is not the case here if you are thinking to plant the aquatic plants then the best period is from early to late spring so that during winters they can be well grown however the water lilies need some protection during winter season and so should be placed indoors.

While planting do remember to be careful while filling up the pond a plant may suffer from the shock of the cold water or the reason of being transplanted. The correct level should be the crownlevel andlater on that means after few days it should be filled properly. In case the pond is filled already then place the plants slowly first on the bricks and then removing them. Proper cleaning of the pond should be done regularly.

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Garden Pond Construction Tips – Finding the Right Pond Liners

Published by Nichole on May 15th, 2012 - in Pond Building, Pond Liners, Water Garden
Garden pond

Garden pond

When building garden ponds, one of the fundamental materials you will need is pond liner. Ideally, pond liners must be strong enough to prevent water from seeping out of the pond. Currently, there are three primary types of liners to choose from, which include concrete, preformed and flexible liners. Out of these choices, the easiest to install is the prefabricated liner. However, it is also the least durable of all, especially those made out of plastic.

For long lasting outdoor water features, concrete ponds are commonly used. On the contrary, it has been proven that concrete can affect the water pH level overtime. It also tends to crack and produce some leakage, if not constructed properly. Because of these reasons, flexible liners became a popular choice to many pond keepers. Flexible liners are not only very versatile, but also quite sturdy and safe to fish. Nowadays, this type of liner is available in five different choices, including EPDM, Butyl rubber, HDPE, LLDPE, and PVC.

1.  EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) – Out of the given choices, this one is the most popular of all. It is because it can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to 79 degrees Centigrade. On the contrary, it is also the most expensive. Nevertheless, it can guarantee an excellent quality and durability, especially those made by Firestone, which offer 20 to 30 years of warranty.

2.  Butyl rubber – In the United Kingdom, most pond owners recommend Butyl rubber liners, which are structurally the same as EPDM. These are highly stable materials, which are also safe to fish and plant. Like EPDM, these can also withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures. They also require little maintenance once installed.

3.  HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) – HDPE pond liner is a plastic lining material, which comes in a range of thickness from 20 to 100 mil. Compared to EPDM and Butyl rubber, this one is more affordable and less malleable. It also offers a UV safe quality and 20-year product warranty. It is tough, flexible and chemically resistant.

4.  LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) – For applications that require flexibility and significant material, you may opt to use LLDPE liners. Unlike HDPE, this one is less dense, but has the capacity to stretch under stress without puncturing, tearing, or cracking. These are commonly available in the United States and South Africa.

5.  PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – The cheapest of all types of flexible pond liners is the PVC liner. This usually comes in dark grey or black colours, and in a variety of square or rectangle sheets. It is malleable and lightweight, which is perfect for beginners who want to build a pond of different sizes and shapes. While it is considered the cheapest, it is also the least durable, which generally carries warranties from two to 10 years.

Before you decide to select the right pond liner for your specific garden pond needs, do not forget to determine the size of your pond to get the right size of liner for your outdoor water feature. When it comes to sizing garden pond lining materials, here are the equations you should follow:

To get the pond liner length: Pond length + (Pond Depth X 2) + (Overlap X 2)

To get the pond liner width: Pond width + (Pond Depth X 2) + (Overlap X 2)

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