Water bed liner works surprisingly well as a pond liner. I know, it sounds kind of crazy, doesn’t it? You’re probably thinking, “Water bed liner? Can you even use that stuff to hold water?”
Well, it turns out you can.
Water bed liners are made of vinyl, which is the same stuff pond liners are made of. The difference is, pond liners are a lot thicker, with an average thickness of 45 mil (0.045 inches), whereas water bed liners are usually around 20 mil (0.02 inches) in thickness.
But here’s the thing: the thickness of a pond liner is more to do with how long it’ll last than its resistance to leaks. A 20 mil pond liner is more than strong enough to hold water without leaking, but it’ll only last around 5 years before it starts to wear thin and crack.
That means a 20 mil pond liner is actually more than twice as thick as it needs to be to hold water, and it doesn’t make that much of a difference when it comes to leaks. Sure, a 45 mil pond liner is more resistant to leaks than a 20 mil pond liner, but the difference isn’t enough to really justify the extra cost.
The same thing goes for water bed liners. They’re plenty thick enough to hold water without leaking, and while they’re not going to last as long as a 45 mil pond liner, they’re still going to last a decent 5 to 8 years. The best part is, they’re half the price of a pond liner.
So, if you’re okay with a liner that only lasts 5 to 8 years, then a water bed liner is your cheapest option. If you’re looking for something that’ll last longer, then you might want to consider getting a 20 mil pond liner instead.
Vinyl Tarps
Vinyl tarps are another cheap alternative to pond liners, but they’re not as durable as water bed liners.
Even though they’re about the same thickness at around 20 mil, vinyl tarps aren’t made for holding water. They’re made for, well, covering things.
If you’ve ever used a tarp for anything, then you know what I mean. Tarps are great for covering things, but you wouldn’t want to use a tarp to hold water. It’s just going to leak right through the fabric, and then you’re left with a pool of water on top of your tarp.
So, here’s the thing: vinyl tarps aren’t going to hold up against the test of time.
They’ll last maybe a year if you’re lucky, but they’re going to start cracking and falling apart before long. You might have to replace them every year, or every other year, if you want to keep your pond going.
That’s why I recommend you spend a little extra and get a water bed liner instead. Sure, they might not last as long as a 45 mil pond liner, but they’re still going to last a good 5 to 8 years, which is a lot longer than a vinyl tarp.
Concrete
Concrete is a good choice for pond liner, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
The first and most obvious drawback is the cost. It’s going to cost you about 3 times as much as a pond liner, and that’s not even including the labor costs if you hire a contractor to do it for you.
However, if you’re willing to pay the cost, then a concrete pond is going to be the most durable pond you can get. It’s going to last you a lifetime, and you’ll never have to worry about replacing it.
The second drawback is the labor. You’re going to have to hire a contractor to do it for you, unless you’re a DIY expert, and even then, it’s going to take you a long time to do it by yourself.
The third drawback is that you’re stuck with whatever shape you choose. It’s going to be nigh-on impossible to change the shape of your pond after the concrete sets. The only way you’d be able to do it is by getting a jackhammer and breaking up the concrete, and that’s not something you want to do.
The fourth drawback, and the biggest one for many people, is the fact that concrete ponds are always green.
The reason for this is that concrete is very porous, so algae is always going to be able to grow on it. You can’t stop it. You can use UV clarifiers and algaecides to keep the algae at bay, but you’re never going to be able to completely eliminate it.
Sure, you can use a paint-on pond sealer to make the concrete less porous, which will reduce the amount of algae growth, but you’re still going to have to keep up with the maintenance.
The way I see it, if you’re okay with the maintenance, then a concrete pond is a great choice. It’s the most durable option by far, and you’ll never have to worry about leaks.
However, if you’re looking for something that’s going to be easy to maintain, then you might want to consider a pond liner instead. They’re more than strong enough to hold water, and if you get a 20 mil liner, then it’s going to last you a good 5 to 8 years, which is more than enough time to make it worthwhile.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is a unique option for pond liners that you might not have heard of before.
It’s a clay that’s made up of extremely small particles, which means it has a very low permeability, making it excellent for holding water.
However, the low permeability of bentonite clay is also its biggest drawback. You see, bentonite clay is so good at holding water, that it actually expands when it comes into contact with it.
That’s all well and good if you’re using it in a well-sealed pond, but if you’re using it in a pond that already has leaks, then those leaks are going to become bigger.
The expanding nature of bentonite clay is why it’s important to prepare your pond properly before you use it. You need to make sure there are no rocks or stones that could cause punctures, and you need to make sure the ground is properly compacted, otherwise any uneven surfaces will cause the clay to settle and crack.
In fact, if you’re looking for a pond liner that doesn’t require any preparation of the pond beforehand, then you might want to consider a pond liner instead. They’re more than strong enough to hold water, and if you get a 20 mil liner, then it’s going to last you a good 5 to 8 years, which is more than enough time to make it worthwhile.
Rubber Roofing Material
Rubber roofing material is an interesting option for pond liners. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s worth considering.
The biggest advantage of rubber roofing material is that it’s extremely durable. It’s going to last you 20-30 years, which is more than twice as long as a pond liner.
That’s why it’s great for anyone who wants a pond that’s going to last a long time, even if it’s a bit more expensive up front.
That being said, I usually recommend people get a 20 mil pond liner instead, because they’re more than half the price of rubber roofing material. Sure, rubber roofing material is going to last twice as long as a 20 mil pond liner, but 5 to 8 years is still plenty long for most people.
However, if you’re looking for a pond liner that you’re never going to have to replace, then rubber roofing material is a great choice. You’ll pay a bit more upfront, but you’ll save money in the long run, because you’ll never have to buy another pond liner again.
That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going to use rubber roofing material as a pond liner.
First of all, you need to make sure it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. Most rubber roofing material is safe for fish, but you should always make sure before you buy it.
Secondly, you need to make sure the rubber roofing material is UV resistant. If it’s not, then it’s going to break down under sunlight, and you’re going to have a serious problem on your hands.
Finally, you need to make sure the rubber roofing material is fish safe. Most rubber roofing material is fine, but you should always check the manufacturer’s specifications to make sure before you buy it. It’s definitely not worth the risk when it comes to your fish.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene is another interesting option for pond liners, and it’s actually the most common type of material you’ll find in pond liners.
The reason for this is that polyethylene is cheap to produce, and it’s more than strong enough to hold water. Sure, a 45 mil pond liner is more than twice as thick as it needs to be to hold water, but the thickness of a pond liner is more to do with how long it’ll last than its resistance to leaks.
A 20 mil pond liner is actually more than twice as thick as it needs to be to hold water, and it doesn’t make that much of a difference when it comes to leaks. Sure, a 45 mil pond liner is more resistant to leaks than a 20 mil pond liner, but the difference isn’t enough to really justify the extra cost.
That’s why I usually recommend people get a 20 mil pond liner. They’re cheap, and they’re going to last you a good 5 to 8 years, which is more than enough time to make it worthwhile.
Anyway, the main drawback of polyethylene is that it’s not as durable as other options, like rubber roofing material.
Sure, it’s going to last you a good 5 to 8 years, but it’s not going to last as long as a 45 mil pond liner, let alone rubber roofing material.
That’s why I usually recommend people get a 20 mil pond liner instead, because they’re more than half the price of a 45 mil pond liner, and they’re more than strong enough to hold water.
Natural Pond
Natural ponds are the ultimate low maintenance option. You don’t need a pond liner because the water goes straight into the ground.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going to make a natural pond.
First of all, you need to make sure that the ground is clay, or has a high clay content. If it’s not, then the water is just going to seep into the ground, and you’re going to be left with an empty hole.
Secondly, you need to make sure that the water table is high enough. If it’s not, then the water is just going to drain away, and you’re going to be left with an empty hole.
Finally, you need to make sure that your pond is at least 3 feet deep. This is because 3 feet is the minimum depth that koi and goldfish need in order to survive the winter. If your pond is any shallower, then you’re going to have to move your fish into an indoor tank during the winter, and that’s not something you want to do.
That being said, if you’re going to have a natural pond, then you might want to consider getting a pond liner anyway. They’re more than strong enough to hold water, and if you get a 20 mil liner, then it’s going to last you a good 5 to 8 years, which is more than enough time to make it worthwhile.
The main advantage of getting a pond liner over a natural pond is that it’s a lot easier to change the shape of your pond after it’s set up. With a natural pond, you’re stuck with whatever shape you choose, because the water goes straight into the ground. With a pond liner, all you have to do is empty the water out, reshape the liner, and then refill it again. Easy.
That being said, if you’re looking for something that’s going to be low maintenance, then a natural pond is a great choice. You don’t have to worry about leaks, and you don’t have to worry about replacing a pond liner every 5 to 8 years.
