Pond with no liner?
- Thread starter eon aquatics
- Start date
There is a good test to see if the soil will hold water. Did a small hole down to the depth of the pond and fill it with water. If it holds, your good, if it does not, you need a liner. Even high clay soils can perk, depending on what the other components of the soil are. Packing the soil as tight as you can will help. How far down is the water table in your area?
If it is a small pond then this will probably not be beneficial but people use the permaculture and duck method to seal ponds with no liners and just soil all the time. Plenty of videos on youtube about it.
What does he consider a 'small' pond anyways? Some people would call a 500 gallon drop in large so probably best to start here with the ask so people can best help.
That said though while it is possible keep in mind a liner can also protect against things such as contamination from things you may be unaware of in the soil as well as offers additional leak protection for usually around $200 or less for the smaller end stuff so well worth it imo. Is there a reason he dislikes the liner?
That said though while it is possible keep in mind a liner can also protect against things such as contamination from things you may be unaware of in the soil as well as offers additional leak protection for usually around $200 or less for the smaller end stuff so well worth it imo. Is there a reason he dislikes the liner?
with high clay you should be Ok, depending on the type of clay including is it actually clay 
For smaller scale, put a 4' 1" rebar into the middle of an 8" concrete block, then fill the holes in the block with cement. Wrap the middle 2' of the bar with duct-tape &/or a tightly-wound towel - heavy, with handle.
Now hammer the everloving-b'jizis out of the bottom until it's erring to solid, corner to corner, lip to lip. All needs to be hard-smooth, sides are a nightmare. Now add a layer of the swelling vermiculite-type(??) clay used to seal commercial/agricultural ponds, and hammer that in also. Now add water & add more of the sealing clay according to the instructions on the bag. Now cross-fingers & watch...
and send pictures.
Eat a hearty breakfast, drink plenty of water & wear a wide-brim hat - I don't want your heatstroke on my concience
For smaller scale, put a 4' 1" rebar into the middle of an 8" concrete block, then fill the holes in the block with cement. Wrap the middle 2' of the bar with duct-tape &/or a tightly-wound towel - heavy, with handle.
Now hammer the everloving-b'jizis out of the bottom until it's erring to solid, corner to corner, lip to lip. All needs to be hard-smooth, sides are a nightmare. Now add a layer of the swelling vermiculite-type(??) clay used to seal commercial/agricultural ponds, and hammer that in also. Now add water & add more of the sealing clay according to the instructions on the bag. Now cross-fingers & watch...
and send pictures.
Eat a hearty breakfast, drink plenty of water & wear a wide-brim hat - I don't want your heatstroke on my concience
(if in NorthAmerica)
This time of year you should be able to get a second-hand, disused or damaged Intex-type pool & save yourself the headache, no?
This time of year you should be able to get a second-hand, disused or damaged Intex-type pool & save yourself the headache, no?
It's acheivable with large ponds (something more attuned to the size of a dam) since the slow leak is not noticeable, but with something small you will find it draining VERY quickly. Especially if its not done professionally with the right equipment.
The best options for small ponds are rubber liner (plastic isn't UV resistant and can't be patched, its a lot more expensive in the short run when it starts to leak), A prefab plastic/fibreglass drop in pond or concrete and fibreglass/waterproofing paint.
Liner or prefab are probably your easiest and most stressfree options.
No filter/aeration is totally fine as long as your not stocking anything big with a lot of waste - most 'monster' fish such as koi or bass are gonna need good filtration to keep ammonia down. Lots of plants also helps to do some natural filtration.
The best options for small ponds are rubber liner (plastic isn't UV resistant and can't be patched, its a lot more expensive in the short run when it starts to leak), A prefab plastic/fibreglass drop in pond or concrete and fibreglass/waterproofing paint.
Liner or prefab are probably your easiest and most stressfree options.
No filter/aeration is totally fine as long as your not stocking anything big with a lot of waste - most 'monster' fish such as koi or bass are gonna need good filtration to keep ammonia down. Lots of plants also helps to do some natural filtration.
