How much does a pond liner cost
Andrew Campbell
Updated on April 10, 2026
Liner MaterialCost per Square FootCost for 12×12 PondRigid Plastic$0.75$108Bentonite Clay$1.15$165HDPE$0.62$90EPDM$0.85$122
Is Pond liner expensive?
EPDM liners are more expensive than RPE because they’re made out of rubber vs polyethylene, and it just so happens that rubber is a more expensive material to manufacture. … For example, in large ponds, we usually recommend RPE over EPDM rubber because it’s stronger and lighter AND less expensive!
Is a pond liner necessary?
Every pond needs a liner to stop water from leaking out through the pond base. There are natural pond bottoms made of clay and there are artificial pond liners. … A good liner will not only contain water in your pond, but it will also help to keep sediment and other debris out to make it easier to maintain.
How long do pond liners last?
To summarize, a rubber pond or flexible PVC liner can last for 20 years or longer as long as they are installed over a protective underlay and secured in place using the right edging materials and are protected against visits by clawed animals.What is a good thickness for a pond liner?
When tree root penetration is a problem or there’s regular traffic in and out of the pond, liners 30 mils and thicker are recommended even for basic ponds. Even backyard ponds benefit from a 30 mil or greater liner to prevent rocks and roots from wearing holes in a thinner material.
What goes under a pond liner?
To protect the liner from damage, place a 2- to 3-inch layer of sand or an underlayment over the soil before positioning the liner. Hide the liner, if desired, by placing a layer of river rocks over the bottom of the liner and stacking rocks to cover the sides.
How deep should a fish pond be?
Four feet of water will prevent excess water evaporation and keep predators from eating the fish. Steep, hard-to-climb banks will also deter predators. In warmer climates where the pond will not freeze, 4 feet is plenty. In temperate climates with mild to cold winters, 7 to 8 feet deep is preferable.
Can I put a new pond liner over an old one?
It’s best to remove old and damaged liners before adding new layers, but it is possible in some cases to just place down a new liner over the old one. You’ll need to remove everything that’s in the pond first, including any rooted plants and sand or gravel spread over the bottom.Should you put gravel in pond?
Pros of having rocks and gravel on pond bottom: Makes the bottom of the pond look natural and hides the liner material. Creates biological environment for beneficial bacteria to break down organic sludge. Rocks and gravel provide media for aquatic plants to attach their roots.
Will Leaves in pond harm fish?Rake Up the Leaves: As powerful as natural bacteria are, they will still take a long time to break down fresh leaves that blow into your pond. … As the leaves continue to break down, they will release toxic gases that will edge out available oxygen – and if there is ice covering your pond, that’s bad news for your fish.
Article first time published onCan I just dig a hole for a pond?
To add strength and stability to ponds, be sure to incorporate ledges during excavation. We all know that a contractor can dig a hole, but do you really know the benefits of doing it right? … First, be sure to assess the property where the pond will be located and take note of all the existing structures and utilities.
What is the best way to line a pond?
Line the pond with confidence. The best to use is butyl rubber — the thicker the liner, the better. Use carpet padding, which is thick and contours nicely, underneath the liner to protect against pebbles.
Do pond liners come in different colors?
Most people have gotten used to the color black being their only choice when it comes to pond liners. While black is not a bad color, Pond Armor for instance, offers a large selection of standard colored pond liner epoxies. We also offer custom colors as well.
Can you walk on pond liners?
You can walk on it, even with your shoes, and if you use the recommended underlayment it can be reasonably difficult to puncture, but it can be easy to slice. Always be especially careful not to drag rocks, your feet, rakes, or whatever across the liner.
Do fish ponds need to be fenced?
Do I need to fence (install a child- resistance barrier for) my fish pond? No. If a fish pond has been designed and, manufactured to be solely used as a fish pond, then no child-resistant barrier is required. … The fence/barrier has to meet the requirements of Standard AS 1926-1 (Building Code of Australia).
What do goldfish eat in a pond?
Goldfish in particular are known to be opportunistic eaters, and will eat plants such as water sprite and duckweed, crustaceans, insects and aquatic macroinvertebrates (such as caddisfly, mayfly, and mosquito larvae), and tadpoles.
How deep should a pond be for frogs?
A frog pond should be at least 60cm deep, in a shaded area and have shallow edges for the tadpoles. If you want a frog pond, then, unfortunately, you can’t have fish, because they like to munch on baby frogs (froglets!).
Do you need sand under a pond liner?
Fitting the Pond Liner Before laying the pond liner, you should put down a 5cm layer of soft sand, covering the bottom and sides of the hole. This will help to protect the liner from being pierced by hidden stones or roots in the soil.
Can you use carpet underlay for pond?
Carpet is sometimes suggested as a pond liner underlay and you might get away with this – just ensure that the carpet is a man-made fibre such as polypropylene as a natural fabric such as wool will rot over time reducing it’s effectiveness as a barrier and leaving the pond liner exposed to danger.
Can I put sand in my pond?
That won’t make your clients happy!” “Installing sand on the bottom of a pond or natural pool might create an environment where harmful microbes could dwell, and that may put your clients and their expensive koi fish at risk of contracting a waterborne illness!” “Any disturbance in the sand, whether it be a fish …
Will a frog stay in my pond?
Many pond owners will find themselves hosting a frog or more that has somehow found its way into your pond. Even in areas that seem to be void of anything froggy, if you build a pond, they will come; … … Sometimes pond keepers introduce frogs or tadpoles, but frogs always seem to find our ponds on their own too.
How deep should a natural pond be?
As a general rule of thumb, a pond should be 60cm (2ft) deep if you want plants and fish in it. Water that’s too shallow is vulnerable to evaporating in warm weather and freezing in winter.
Are rocks good for ponds?
Rocks used in ponds provide the following benefits: Adding rocks allows the aerobic bacteria (beneficial bacteria) in your pond a place to colonize and start filtering out debris like fish waste and plant debris. … By adding rocks to your pond it adds a more natural look to it; as if mother nature put it there herself.
How do you fix an underwater pond liner?
- Cut the piece of pond liner down to the size required to comfortably cover the hole or tear. …
- Place the patch on the liner and draw around the patch.
- Clean the area to be repaired, removing all dirt, grime and algae.
- Add a small amount of the QuickPrime Plus onto the QuickScrubber Pad.
Can you repair pond liners?
The best and most recommended way to repair your pond liner is to use a pond liner repair kit. Useful for both small and medium-sized liner holes, pond liner repair kits provide a repair patch and sealant that you can use to cover over the hole or tear to seal it effectively.
When should I reline my pond?
The best time to do this is when the wildlife isn’t breeding, so during the colder, wetter months when working in the garden isn’t exactly a barrel of laughs. You have to get their home up and running by (very) early spring. I had to do this a few years back when our pond leaked and plumped for October.
How do I keep debri out of my pond?
- Pond netting is an easy and cheap solution to stop fallen leaves from entering your pond.
- Pond skimmers work to “skim” the water’s surface, collecting floating debris and leaves as it passes.
- Pond nets with fine mesh holes and a large basket are good for removing leaves in smaller ponds.
Should I still be feeding my pond fish?
In a pond containing few fish you need hardly feed your fish. Small fish are very well capable to gather their own feed. They eat insects and larvae which naturally live in a pond. However, if you have many fish in your pond or large specimens, feeding your fish will be necessary.
Will tree roots grow through pond liner?
If you have seen sidewalks or even building foundations buckled and destroyed by the inexorable spread of tree roots, the answer here is fairly obvious: Yes, tree roots can and will eventually grow through your pond liner if given a chance.
Can you dig a pond with a mini excavator?
If you intend to dig a small personal pond, a compact excavator is the best variety for the job. If your project requires a depth of more than 14 feet, however, you may want to opt for a standard excavator. … A bucket that is too small will force you to spend more time than necessary clearing out the area for your pond.
Can you dig a pond with a shovel?
There is no easy way to dig a fish pond with a shovel. You just have to do it. You have to place the tip to the ground, push the shovel in with your foot, pull up a load of dirt, and then throw the load 20 or 30 feet to the pond’s edge. … After you do this about 50,000 times, you have an average-size pond.