Sunday, March 29, 2015

Keeping Animals in Ponds - Pet Fish are a Fun Addition

When it comes to pond construction the most important factor to consider is the liner.  For both domestic projects and commercial ponds, in aquatic and garden centres, the pond liner is what will ultimately ensure the success of the pond.  Modern epalyn liners are an excellent choice and box welded pond liners are popular in the commercial sector.  Getting the liner right in the first place will ensure that the water stays put – but getting it wrong can be disastrous, resulting in a de-constrution project in the not so distant future.
The Old Favourite

Butyl pond liners have been with us for over forty years and in many cases existing ponds of this age still have strong, robust linings that do exactly what they’re supposed to do.  In terms of longevity butyl has proved itself over the years and can still be a good choice.  It’s one of the most readily available materials in both high street stores, garden centers and online.  Butyl can be box welded and is a popular choice for rectangular or square ponds seen in commercial settings.  Insect damage to butyl is not unknown, however, with some larvae eating the lining material.  This is fairly rare and tends to be most common in warmer parts of the UK in the south.  EDPM liners don’t seem to suffer from the same problem and can be a good alternative.
Free Lunches and Fish Suppers

Epayln has one distinct advantage over butyl in that it’s usually the cheaper option.  It can, like other materials be box welded.  I've been keeping platy species fish in ponds for years. For commercial ponds, once the liner is installed there are limited risks to the actual liner.  In domestic gardens the risks are not great but there are certainly more.  These include the danger of tearing by animals and birds (herons, in particular), and damage from some plant roots.

Damage by animals is usually the result of animals falling into water and attempting to escape (or being rescued).  If the water level is low and the liner exposed they can damage the liner as they attempt to escape, so keeping the liner covered and the pond well topped up is essential.  Herons, while being beautiful birds, can be a downright nuisance especially in ponds with fish.  The most likely danger is from their inquisitive, hungry and stabbing beaks as they attempt to prove there is such a thing as a free lunch.  The best defense is to ensure they can’t stab at the liner in shallow areas of the pond – by using marginal aquatic planting and pots to protect shallow areas.  If they are forced to take a stab in the deeper areas they’ll hopefully be less successful on the fish supper front and pose far less of a risk to the pond liner.
Sleek, Elegant and Perforating

Trees and plants – either land or water based – will not normally damage the pond liner.  They will, in most cases simply grow around it.  The main exception is bamboo which is, ironically, often chosen as an elegant back drop to domestic ponds.  Bamboo is (just like those elegant freeloaders mentioned above) beautiful but it should be placed away from the pond.  It’s a plant that likes to spread itself about so be sure to keep it under control and away from the pond.  If you want the elegant lines and rustling sound of bamboo close the water’s edge it’s advisable to restrict the plant to containers to avoid it perforating your pond!  Holes caused by plants will not necessarily cause leaks, as the hole will be plugged by the root; it’s only when you remove the plant/root that the leak can become apparent.

Nick Thorping is a freelance writer and part time gardner; he recommends epalyn pond liners as a strong, robust lining when constructing a pond or water feature.

These are just a few simple ways that you can avoid leaks in your garden ponds. Good luck and happy gardening!

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