We have one of the ones in the bottom pictures in case something happens to our liner and we have to transfer the fish in our pond really quickly. I wouldn't use it for much other than that. It's just not thick enough to withstand the usage you're talking about for a fish pond. We bought it at the end of the season, on sale, because our cats like to sharpen their claws on the outside of our pond, and we freaked out. So far, no troubles (pond is concrete) but you never know.