Fibreglass pond/tank, how difficult to DIY?
Discussion
Am looking at putting a rectangular pond in the garden, and have checked out the pre-formed ponds but the dimensions aren't quite right so looked at a custom made fibreglass tank which comes in at circa £800-1k for a 8x4x4. Plus extra for bottom drain, skimmer etc.
Like below:
Am assuming marine ply, bracing with wood, bit of angle iron, then 3-5 layers of fibreglass.
For this in the know, does this seem DIY able. Any tips?
Like below:
Am assuming marine ply, bracing with wood, bit of angle iron, then 3-5 layers of fibreglass.
For this in the know, does this seem DIY able. Any tips?
Nimby said:
Why not use butyl rubber pond liner? Either a single piece and pleat the corners, or cut to fit and seal with the stuff they use for EPDM roofs.
I thought of that, and a box welded liner, but the plan was to line the pond exterior with gaboon baskets, stuffed with York stone and I assumed that the possibility of puncture would be higher.Like this:
With a Blade, fountain thing.
Vandenberg said:
I thought of that, and a box welded liner, but the plan was to line the pond exterior with gaboon baskets, stuffed with York stone and I assumed that the possibility of puncture would be higher.
Like this:
With a Blade, fountain thing.
Thats a great idea and could like very nice. I dont see why you couldnt use a box welded liner, if you doubled up on liner underlay it sohuld be absolutely fine. Like this:
With a Blade, fountain thing.
I've done fibreglassing of smaller stuff and it's pretty straightforward, most of my supplies came from MB Fibreglass (in NI). As mentioned it'll be very messy doing something that large, but definitely DIYable.
You should be able to work out the materials costs quite easily (don't forget brushes and cleaning materials, as well as wood etc for the former), it should only be a couple of hundred quid tops. Unless you have a burning desire to fibreglass, do think about just getting something ready made though!
You should be able to work out the materials costs quite easily (don't forget brushes and cleaning materials, as well as wood etc for the former), it should only be a couple of hundred quid tops. Unless you have a burning desire to fibreglass, do think about just getting something ready made though!
227bhp said:
Forget it, it isn't viable for a one off.
They will have a mould, all the work is in the mould, you need multiples of items to make it worth while.
All the work in traditional mouldmaking is to get a surface finish that:They will have a mould, all the work is in the mould, you need multiples of items to make it worth while.
a) The moulded part will release from and;
b) Gives a nice smooth finish to the final part.
If you're not particularly fussed about either, and are happy to make a mould that is 'sacrificial', it's a lot quicker and simpler.
Equus said:
All the work in traditional mouldmaking is to get a surface finish that:
a) The moulded part will release from and;
b) Gives a nice smooth finish to the final part.
If you're not particularly fussed about either, and are happy to make a mould that is 'sacrificial', it's a lot quicker and simpler.
Having done a lot and knowing a lot about it I can advise it isn't worth setting up for a one-off.a) The moulded part will release from and;
b) Gives a nice smooth finish to the final part.
If you're not particularly fussed about either, and are happy to make a mould that is 'sacrificial', it's a lot quicker and simpler.
It's case of if you have to ask, you shouldn't be going near it.
227bhp said:
Having done a lot and knowing a lot about it I can advise it isn't worth setting up for a one-off.
It's case of if you have to ask, you shouldn't be going near it.
I've done a fair bit myself - including mouldless construction (which is effectively what I'd be looking to do for something like this).It's case of if you have to ask, you shouldn't be going near it.
It's only complicated if you choose to make it so.
How much time do you think fibreglass flat roofers spend on making moulds?
227bhp said:
Forget it, it isn't viable for a one off.
They will have a mould, all the work is in the mould, you need multiples of items to make it worth while.
Can I ask why you state it isn't viable? is a mould totally necessary or can I just build a box and fibreglass the hell out of it.They will have a mould, all the work is in the mould, you need multiples of items to make it worth while.
This isn't the start of a fish farming set up, it's just a rectangular pond with a fountain and a dozen sarasota goldfish and some lilies and I was hoping I could hide any imperfections and the pipework with the gabions.
Thanks for all the other comments, I will price up a box liner, with liner vs DIY Fibreglass and just buying one. But first I need to shift a bunch of plants and soil, which is this weekends task.
Vandenberg said:
...just build a box and fibreglass the hell out of it.
This.No point in building a fancy mould, for a one-off job that doesn't need a particularly high standard of surface finish.
You're effectively doing what you would to sheath a flat roof or a wooden boat with fibreglass, except your intention is to keep the water in, instead of keeping it out.
Google will find you various guides to either task, but it's not complicated - just sticky, messy and smelly.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff