Pond liner and underlay

[jenzo]

Hi all

The pond liner I currently have in the garden is old and needs to be replaced. Looks like a hole has appeared "somewhere", possibly from close by plant roots - it is however over 8 years old and done well.

2 questions:

- Pond liner: What new pond liner/what online supplier do you recommend I buy from - must be truly long lasting, good quality and at a good price online?

- Underlay: As above

Your input and thoughts appreciated.

[otolith]

Haven't bought pond liners for years, but if you want long life, choose a thick Butyl liner.

[LivingTheDream]

I use pondkeeper.co.uk - always been great

[RichB]

Was just about to post exactly the same! http://www.pondkeeper.co.uk/pond-liners.asp

I have used them over the years and their service is excellent, even replacing a faulty pump after 12 months no questions asked. I often use old carpet as underlay and flexible liner is perfectly adequate for a smallish garden pond.

[kambites]

otolith said:

Haven't bought pond liners for years, but if you want long life, choose a thick Butyl liner.

EPDM seems to be reckoned to be at least as good as if not better than Butyl Rubber these days.

[otolith]

Wouldn't be surprised, like Butyl it is a synthetic rubber. It's the PVC and polyurethane liners which were cheap and nasty and used to be the alternative to Butyl.

[williredale]

Bookmarked. I need to dig a pond for my daughter (she's obsessed with frogs).

[Mr GrimNasty]

Info here.

http://www.gordonlowproducts.co.uk/pondliners.html

0.75mm EPDM is immensely adequate.

You need to find out if the puncture is the result of root activity and deal with that, as certain pond & land plants can go through any liner.

I used SwellUK for my last liner but that was years ago so I've no idea if prices are good or not.

Even cheap 'PVC' liners come with 40 year guarantees sometimes, so 8 years is rubbish really!

Yes buy underlay or use anything tough, as said dense old carpet is fine.

[V8RX7]

williredale said:

Bookmarked. I need to dig a pond for my daughter (she's obsessed with frogs).

If you're quick you can get some spawn from this year - our pond is full of it.

[LivingTheDream]

V8RX7 said:

williredale said:

Bookmarked. I need to dig a pond for my daughter (she's obsessed with frogs).

If you're quick you can get some spawn from this year - our pond is full of it.

Very quick!!

Ours has hatched and been (mostly) eaten by the fish

[RichB]

LivingTheDream said:

Ours has hatched and been (mostly) eaten by the fish

Your lucky, mine won't touch the stuff.

[dirkgently]

williredale said:

Bookmarked. I need to dig a pond for my daughter (she's obsessed with frogs).

Looking for a Prince?

[Roberty]

I did my pond a couple of years ago.

Bought the liner, underlay and a lot of the filtration equipment from Swell UK

http://www.swelluk.com/pond.html

They are like an Aquatic DFS, there is always a sale on.

And I used their online calculator here to make sure I bought the correct size liner: http://www.swelluk.com/pond-liner-calculator.html

Get the thick EPDM liner don't waste your time with PVC or you'll be replacing it again in a few years.

[kambites]

Mr GrimNasty said:

Yes buy underlay or use anything tough, as said dense old carpet is fine.

As long as it's synthetic. Wool will rot away in a few years.

[benson1980]

I spent ages researching what pond liner to use and in the end I went for EPDM. I bought Sealeco from Aqualiners direct. Not cheap but I didn't want to be replacing my pond liner ever if I can help it.

[williredale]

dirkgently said:

williredale said:

Bookmarked. I need to dig a pond for my daughter (she's obsessed with frogs).

Looking for a Prince?

Nope. If she found a prince she'd kiss him in the hope he'd turn into a frog!

[williredale]

LivingTheDream said:

V8RX7 said:

williredale said:

Bookmarked. I need to dig a pond for my daughter (she's obsessed with frogs).

If you're quick you can get some spawn from this year - our pond is full of it.

Very quick!!

Ours has hatched and been (mostly) eaten by the fish

That's what I'd hoped to do but I was waiting on a fence being put up and some other works before starting. I'll put the pond in soon and let it settle before next year. Because my daughter is so obsessed with them I'm now part of the local toad patrol. I spend my early spring evenings with latex gloves and a torch going 'frogging'. Fun for all the family! Still, there'll be plenty of frogspawn to be had!

[jenzo]

This is great. Thank you and will likely buy from them. What EPDM liner did you go for?

Roberty said:

I did my pond a couple of years ago.

Bought the liner, underlay and a lot of the filtration equipment from Swell UK

http://www.swelluk.com/pond.html

They are like an Aquatic DFS, there is always a sale on.

And I used their online calculator here to make sure I bought the correct size liner: http://www.swelluk.com/pond-liner-calculator.html

Get the thick EPDM liner don't waste your time with PVC or you'll be replacing it again in a few years.

[Roberty]

jenzo said:

This is great. Thank you and will likely buy from them. What EPDM liner did you go for?

Roberty said:

Bought the liner, underlay and a lot of the filtration equipment from Swell UK

http://www.swelluk.com/pond.html

I used the Gordon Low Greenseal 0.75mm EPDM liner, more than durable for the majority of installations.

As you've probably seen you can order it together with the right amount of liner. It's despatched to you directly from the manufacturer and mine arrived the very next day.

I must say the delivery and service from Swell UK is fantastic.



This is mine, it's 7' by 13' and slopes 4' under the waterfall to 5' In the foreground of this picture where the bottom drain is. Filtration system is under the decking which opens up, hinged from either end for servicing.

Edited by Roberty on Wednesday 4th May 20:48

[AWG]

Very nice, what pump/filter are you using for that size?