choosing the pond
Size, shape and material overview:
- A molded pond comes in many sizes and shapes and is easiest to install.
- Flexible liner gives more variation in size and shape but is a little more work to install. Buy the best quality you can afford - you don't want a leak after you have it installed! Add twice the depth of the pond plus overhang to the length and width of the liner purchased.
- Cement pools are not practical in our area. Our rapidly changing weather causes cracks that are expensive and difficult to repair.
- Size depends on available space and your needs. Outline it in the area it is to go with a garden hose or thick rope to visualize it. Depth should be 18-23" deep if you would like plants, especially lilies, and fish in it. A three foot deep pond is necessary if you are going to keep fish in it over the winter, but be aware that a pond in the city that is 24" deep or more requires a six foot, locked fence around it.
Heavy butyl liners are more of a challenge to install, but give you unlimited flexibility and design. Recently, lighter but very durable pond liners have come on the market. You might want to look into them before you choose. We have 15mil liner that works as well as any.