
Building a concrete pond
- Dig hole, ram down soil, slope sides at 45 o
- Line hole with heavy gauge polythene sheet Then for a concrete liner:
- Cover base and sides with a 100mm layer of concrete
- Press galvanised wire mesh into the fresh moist concrete
- Cover wire netting with further 50mm layer of concrete and smooth with trowel. Or for a ferrocement liner:
Full Answer
What to do with an old concrete pond?
* Ideas for my Old Concrete Pond
- Fire Pit – Turn it into a Fire Pit (or a BBQ pit or a grill and/or an outdoor stove). ...
- Fountain – Add a Fountain – concrete or other “pondless” water feature.
- Bird Bath – Sanitize it and make it a Bird Bath. ...
- Planter – Fill it in with dirt and Plant a.) trees and shrubs b.) flowers. ...
- Remove it – Jackhammer it out, haul it away and fill it in with dirt. ...
How to build a retaining wall garden pond?
Instructions
- Lay Out Pond Boundary. Start by outlining your pond directly on the ground. ...
- Dig Pond Border. Your next order of business is to dig out the pond border. ...
- Excavate the Pond's Center. ...
- Create Tiers. ...
- Reinforce With Retaining Wall Blocks. ...
- Check For Level Frequently. ...
- Lay Hardware Cloth. ...
- Measure For the Liner. ...
- Install Pond Underlayment. ...
- Install Pond Liner. ...
How do you build a waterfall for a pond?
Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Constructing Basins and Streams Download Article
- Stack rocks and blocks to create a basin for an above-ground waterfall. ...
- Dig out the pond or lower basin for an in-ground pond. ...
- Create a second hole for the pump if you’re making a pondless basin. ...
- Create the upper waterfall pool and stream by digging and smoothing out the soil. ...
How to build a mini pond?
dig a hole deep enough to hold your container so that the top is level with the ground remove any sharp rocks and line the bottom with sand sit the container in the hole and fill the gaps with loose soil build a pile of rocks and bricks in the bottom, scatter the pebbles and add the plants. Fill with rainwater

How thick does a concrete pond need to be?
4 to 6 inches thickThe basic construction of a concrete pond follows that of the liner ponds. The concrete should be 4 to 6 inches thick. Once the dimensions are established and an outline laid out, dig out the soil for the entire pond.
How do you make a concrete pond?
0:213:45How to Build a Concrete Pond under 4 mins! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you want a pond that has a stronger. Bottom I suggest. Putting some gravel. At the bottom of theMoreIf you want a pond that has a stronger. Bottom I suggest. Putting some gravel. At the bottom of the pond. Now you're ready to apply some concrete.
Will a concrete pond hold water?
Untreated concrete is usually quite porous, absorbing and allowing water to slowly seep through microscopic spaces, but it can be made highly resistant to the passage of water by using fine aggregates and waterproofing additives to close the pores.
What are the disadvantages of concrete pond?
The disadvantage of a concrete pond is that they cost more to build. This added expense may be off set to some extent when you consider the value a well built pond may add to property value.
Does a concrete pond need to be sealed?
However, concrete is a porous material and can eventually leach lime and other chemicals into your pond unless you seal the pond with a waterproofing compound. The market provides different products that provide a flexible, rubber-like, waterproof coating for your concrete pond.
What type of concrete is used for ponds?
There's no special concrete that's used for building ponds. It's the same material used to build foundation walls, footings, driveways, patios and sidewalks. Concrete mixes used to build a pond should be at least 3000 psi for floors, foundations and below grade walls. For pond walls above grade use a 4000+ psi mix.
How do you waterproof a concrete pond?
1:087:26How To: Waterproofing Fish Ponds - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo firstly ask that that way you can use a hydrostatic membrane on the base. And ensure that youMoreSo firstly ask that that way you can use a hydrostatic membrane on the base. And ensure that you protect that part from blistering secondly the walls if it is underground.
Can fish live in concrete ponds?
A. Concrete ponds can be “cured” and made safe for fish without any special coatings. Keep the newly constructed pond filled for a week, then drain and refill.
Is cement toxic to fish?
Cement is a safe material to use in fish ponds, but it does need some curing and cleaning before you fill the pond and add fish. In the first few weeks of exposure to water, it can affect the pH balance and make it difficult to keep at a level fish prefer.
Is earthen pond better than concrete pond?
In comparism, water management in earthen pond is easier than in concrete pond because most wastes from the fish and the feeds are absorbed by the soil in earthen ponds while they have to be flushed out in concrete ponds.
What are ponds lined with?
Bentonite clay is the best lining material for large ponds where the quality of the water and life is important. We can say that bentonite is the best pond lining material for farm ponds, swimming ponds, and ponds with fish and plants.
What is stagnant concrete pond?
In the stagnant concrete pond, water in the fish pond is seldom replaced. The concrete pond is cheaper to construct with limitation in the quantity of fish stocking capacity. A pond of 2m x 5m capacity could not stock more than 600 fish.
How do you make a concrete pond safe for fish?
TO CURE - Newly cemented ponds release quantities of free lime into the water which is toxic to fish and plants. By curing the pond, this danger is removed. To cure, mix one-gallon household vinegar to each 200 gallons of water in your pond and let set three days.
How do you make a homemade pond?
How to Build a Backyard Pond: A Step-by-Step GuideStep 1: Excavate the area. Kolin Smith. ... Step 2: Level the pond's edges. ... Step 3: Prepare the base. ... Step 4: Line the pond. ... Step 5: Fill the pond. ... Step 6: Install the pump. ... Step 7: Create a rock border. ... Step 8: Secure and conceal the hose.More items...
How do you make concrete waterproof?
How do you make concrete waterproof?Flexible external waterproofing system for concrete. ... Concrete admixtures for waterproofing. ... Swelling tapes seal joints. ... Can be reused as often as necessary: injection system for sealing joints. ... Waterproofing formwork tie holes.More items...•
How do you build a round concrete pond?
0:086:12How To Make a Round Concrete Table top - Concrete Lazy SusanYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a jigsaw to cut out the circle. And then slowly rotate the board as you're cutting to make yourMoreUse a jigsaw to cut out the circle. And then slowly rotate the board as you're cutting to make your way around the entire circle.
How much does it cost to build a concrete pond?from motherearthnews.com
But it can be done (and, perhaps, should be done if you need extra water for irrigation, aquaculture, swimming, or firefighting.) All you need to build a backyard concrete pond is some advance planning, $600 to $800 in materials, and a little help from 15 or 20 friends.
How to make a pond build faster?from motherearthnews.com
Involving a large group of your friends is a great way to make pond building go faster , and of course, have a little fun while your at it.
What is used to smooth concrete before it dries?from motherearthnews.com
Rakes and hand floats are used to smooth the concrete before it dries. JOANNE BAUER AND QUENTIN H. BASSETT. The hard work of building a pond by hand will pay off when you are able to enjoy the luxury of having your own pond. JOANNE BAUER AND QUENTIN H. BASSETT.
How long does it take for a concrete pond to dry?from wikihow.com
Spread out the sheets to cover the entire pond and anchor them down with rocks or other heavy objects. Let the concrete dry for 3 days until it is completely cured, and then remove the sheets. Once the pond is cured, you can install a pond filter system if you want to filter the water for swimming or for fish.
What materials are needed to build a pond?from instructables.com
Materials required to build the pond. - Wood planks (to make the mould to retain the concrete) - Pick (to help in digging) - Rebar / metal bars (to add in the beams to reinforce the concrete) - Mortar. - Bonding wire (to bond the rebars)
How deep should a pond be?from wikihow.com
Find which way the pond naturally slopes. Use a shovel to dig a channel 4–6 in (10–15 cm) deep, 6–8 in (15–20 cm) wide, and at least 2 ft (0.61 m) long leading away from the side of the pond. Place a level around the sides to find the biggest slope if it is not obvious to the eye.
How to seal a pond for fish?from wikihow.com
Spray on a rubber liner to seal the pond if you are using it for fish. Use a dark-colored rubber liner, hold the can 6 in (15 cm) from the concrete, and spray it on from top to bottom. The liner will seal out the lime in the concrete that is harmful to fish.
How much does it cost to build a concrete pond?from motherearthnews.com
But it can be done (and, perhaps, should be done if you need extra water for irrigation, aquaculture, swimming, or firefighting.) All you need to build a backyard concrete pond is some advance planning, $600 to $800 in materials, and a little help from 15 or 20 friends.
What is concrete pond?from wikihow.com
Whether you want a pond purely for aesthetic purposes, or for irrigation and swimming, building a concrete pond is a project that you can do yourself with the right equipment and a lot of sweat !
How to make a pond go faster?from motherearthnews.com
Involving a large group of your friends is a great way to make pond building go faster, and of course, have a little fun while your at it. Helpers await the concrete to be poured into the pond. Rakes and hand floats are used to smooth the concrete before it dries.
What is used to smooth concrete before it dries?from motherearthnews.com
Rakes and hand floats are used to smooth the concrete before it dries. JOANNE BAUER AND QUENTIN H. BASSETT. The hard work of building a pond by hand will pay off when you are able to enjoy the luxury of having your own pond. JOANNE BAUER AND QUENTIN H. BASSETT.
How long does it take for a concrete pond to dry?from wikihow.com
Spread out the sheets to cover the entire pond and anchor them down with rocks or other heavy objects. Let the concrete dry for 3 days until it is completely cured, and then remove the sheets. Once the pond is cured, you can install a pond filter system if you want to filter the water for swimming or for fish.
How deep should a pond be?from wikihow.com
Find which way the pond naturally slopes. Use a shovel to dig a channel 4–6 in (10–15 cm) deep, 6–8 in (15–20 cm) wide, and at least 2 ft (0.61 m) long leading away from the side of the pond. Place a level around the sides to find the biggest slope if it is not obvious to the eye.
How to seal a pond for fish?from wikihow.com
Spray on a rubber liner to seal the pond if you are using it for fish. Use a dark-colored rubber liner, hold the can 6 in (15 cm) from the concrete, and spray it on from top to bottom. The liner will seal out the lime in the concrete that is harmful to fish.
Is concrete a good material for a pond?
Building a concrete pond is undoubtedly a far larger undertaking than making one with any of the more common types of liner, but for some types of pond, it remains the best material for the job. Although they take longer to complete and require much more in the way of effort, if you take your time and proceed carefully, a very durable and good-looking pond can be yours.
Can you build a concrete pond?
Building a Concrete Pond. Although concrete is now less commonly used to build ponds than it once was and certainly makes more demands on the builder than the alternatives, it does have some definite advantages which still make it a material worth considering.
How thick does concrete need to be for a pond?
you should be 9-10 inches with one or even two layers of mesh to be safe. I did not use a DPM as the stone is free draining but if you are below the water table it may save you problems when lining the pond.
How deep should a koi pond be?
Generally, the ideal size for a Koi pond is considered to be over 1,000 gallons and at least three feet deep.
Does a concrete pond need to be sealed?
You don’t need to re- seal your pond till years , once filled after application of Concrete fish pond sealant. You will have a great fish pond that will prove entertaining and easy to maintain for years.
Will a concrete pond hold water?
Untreated concrete is usually quite porous, absorbing and allowing water to slowly seep through microscopic spaces, but it can be made highly resistant to the passage of water by using fine aggregates and waterproofing additives to close the pores.
What can I mix with cement to make it waterproof?
For the masonry of exterior walls with hard brick one often uses 1 part cement, 3.5 parts sand, 0.25 part lime. While for the same job, but with much softer limestone, a completely different mixing ratio is advised, namely 1 part cement, 9 parts sand, 2 parts lime.
How many koi can be in a 3000 gallon pond?
Cleaning skimmers, pre-filters and doing water changes would be a standard practice. That translates to twelve LARGE Koi in a 3000-gallon pond and since I don’t recommend even numbers in a Koi pond then your target would be eleven Koi in 3000 gallons of pond water.
Are koi ponds high maintenance?
While koi fish may be known for their grace and beauty, few know that they are also one of the dirtiest and high – maintenance fish to own. Because they like to root up the pond’s bottom surface, and because they produce a lot of waste, koi pond water can easily become mucky and dingy.
What is the best shape for a concrete pond?
Kidney shapes are popular pond designs; you probably want something that is not too symmetrical to make your concrete garden pond look as natural as possible. It is also a good idea to leave enough area around you pond for landscaping with rocks and plants.
How to cover a pond with water?
Using a heavy duty forticon plastic which acts as a water proof membrane completely cover your pond area. If there is more than one section, be sure to overlap them a few inches. Do your best to make the plastic conform to the shape of your pond and plant shelves. Don’t trim the extra forticon plastic until you have filled the pond. Next lay down a heavy duty mesh which gives added strength to the concrete
How high should a pond drain be when it rains?
The water level you desire in the pond should be about 25mm below the level of the drain.
How to make a river pebble pond?
Start by placing the pebbles on the vertical walls, working your way down, stamping them into the concrete while it is still wet; you could also add some larger rocks if you wish as focal points. Once the walls have been covered, fill the horizontal areas with pebbles to a depth of about 500mm.
What kind of lighting is used in ponds?
Low voltage garden lighting is available from most hardware shops and makes the pond a spectacular sight at night.
Can you use a flexible liner for a fish pond?
A cheaper alternative is to use a flexible liner instead of concrete, which we do not recommend.
Can you build a pool for landscaping?
As licensed builders, customised verandas, garden sheds, even swimming pools are no problems for Visual Landscape Gardening either, handling everything from design ideas to council approval to completion.