evil_elmo Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 i'm wanting to setup a pond, nothing crazy like Caryl one maybe 3m x 2m sizing is not confirmed yet i have a few questions 1. fiberglass pond or pond liner from bunnings? which is better? 2. do you put gravel at the bottom of the pond or leave it bare? 3. cant really get power outside, has anyone used one of those solar powered fountains before? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Fiberglass is better, but they're more expensive and you don't have much choice of size or shape, most are small. Bunnings pond liner is probably pretty thin and weak, I'd get something much stronger for a big pond. You can put gravel in the bottom, or not. Your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preacher Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Pond liner is cheap and easy, but as Ira says its pretty weak. For mine I dug the shape out, removed any stones, roots etc that might have a sharp edge. Then laid down some cheap weedmat as a protective layer between the soil and the polythene. For a small pond I would use one layer of polythene, but for one your size I would double layer just for the extra protection. If your going to use gravel I would put a layer of sand or fine sifted topsoil down first, just to try and protect the polythene. Above all, plan, think and have fun! P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 or if u are handy with concrete! why not build a concrete 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 thanks for all the tips, i think i will go and have a look at some fiberglass ones this weekend and see what is available lol i cant build anything with my hands tim :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 those pond liners are all good for fish ponds ive even used them for turtles in the past, use weed mat pins above waters edge and or stones ontop looks ok, if you keep pond squarish the pond liner takes shape better as if too many bends means more creases etc warehouse sell them for memory, not indistructable but for what it costs theyre all good imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minchton Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I have just purchased a "silage pit" cover from local farm supplies. 5 x 50 metres $100. gives lots of scope and is far superior to any pond liner you might buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 I find the fibreglass ones are not made deep enough and can overheat in summer without shade. Have you thought of using stock troughs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Anyone know where a person could get a couple stock troughs for cheap? A couple could be a quick easy way to make ponds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 i could get u a fibreglass bath from my work if u really want , spa pools come in occaisionally too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Ooh, yeah and a spa would come preplumbed for pond pumps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Anyone know where a person could get a couple stock troughs for cheap? A couple could be a quick easy way to make ponds. stock troughs are generally pricey especially the plastic jobs i found baths good and can get off tm for $1-20 but they can heat up if in full sun maybe not so bad if dug into ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Nah, baths are too small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 fair enough, you can always get more than 1 bath but i must say when you get a dozen odd baths lined up on ya back lawn it doesnt look to flash :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted November 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 i can see why people use the liner, fiberglass ponds are expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 hay i hate to be a party pooper but osh call them pools but councils may not depends on councils in your area as they may be have to be fence. so check it out before you start as there are big finds if they dont comply. they will know if you got a pond buy arie potos they do every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 They only have to be fenced if they're over a set depth, in wellington it's 550mm iirc. Doesn't matter if the council has arie potos or no arie potos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jude Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 fair enough, you can always get more than 1 bath but i must say when you get a dozen odd baths lined up on ya back lawn it doesnt look to flash :lol: Arrange them like the bucket fountain in Cuba Mall :lol: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Swimming pools are covered by the Fencing of swimming pools Act 1987:178 Which is administered by the Department of Building and Housing. There are exemptions to the definition of a swimming pool which include: Any excavation, structure or product which is less than 400mm deep. And also any excavation,structure or product that has not been modified for use or intended to be used for swimming, wading,paddling or bathing. Since this is an Act of Parliament it is not legal for a Local Authority (including one with John Banks as Mayor) to change the rules as they see fit. The words mean what the words say, and they say: Any swimming pool less than 400mm deep does not need to be fenced as it is not a swimming pool. A gold fish pond that has not been modified for use or intended to be used for swimming,wading,paddling or bathing does not need to be fenced as it is not a swimming pool. So build your pond deep enough for you fish to survive the frosts down here and breed and keep some realy good quality fish. The fact that a child can drown in a goldfish pond or in water less than 400mm deep is not relevent to what the law requires. Any interpretation other than this by a Local Authority in my view is ultra vires Have a good day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I've used the pond liners from Bunnings and warehouse, but they don't survive our frosts and develop slow, really annoying leaks that you cant find or repair. I've resorted to liners from the Water garden on Blenheim Rd which really aren't too much more expensive and one in the fish pond lasted about 10 yrs with no leaks and was moved twice. ( until I removed the pond due to Leeches in the plants.) The 2 turtle ones are new but great. The liners are UV and frost and tree root resistant...but you look really funny standing in a metre deep hole with a huge black liner over your head trying to spread it out :roll: Also good to line the hole first with old carpet or underlay or that fake grass or similar as makes the liner sit well and reduces risk of accidental tears. Also I had a guy here from CCC 2 wks ago who said our water level depth for a pond didn't matter, otherwise they'd have to fence all the public fountains and stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 When we did our pond I contacted the council and they said since we weren't swimming in it, it was not a swimming pool therefore did not have to be fenced. No idea how deep it is but I think it is over the 400mm in places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Arrange them like the bucket fountain in Cuba Mall :lol: :lol: :lol: now that would make for some intersting looks by ppl passing by :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 im just saying do your homework before builting ponds as the council here are lot stricter up here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 They can't legally be any stricter than the law they are enforcing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 20, 2008 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 No but they can be pains in the A**** :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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