Concrete or liner?

[Cj Harvey]

I live in New Jersey, United States. We get cold winters and hot summers. I am planing to expand my pond. I even have to go under a sidewalk so they will have a nice tunnel to go thru. What is best a concrete pond or liner pond? I have spent months designing the pond on paper so I know exactly what I want and have no plans of changing it in the future.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome to our group! This sounds interesting! Do you have any pictures of your current pond and/or drawings of what you're planning to build? What is your current pond -- is it a liner pond? I'm sorry that I can't help with advice, but my gut says to go with a liner just because concrete can crack, esp if you're in an area with cold winters.

 

[Cj Harvey]

here are some pictures that I've accumulated so far.
One is where the pond will expand too. And one is the existing pond which is a liner pond.

 

[Cj Harvey]

Hello and welcome to our group! This sounds interesting! Do you have any pictures of your current pond and/or drawings of what you're planning to build? What is your current pond -- is it a liner pond? I'm sorry that I can't help with advice, but my gut says to go with a liner just because concrete can crack, esp if you're in an area with cold winters.

 

[Cj Harvey]

And here is my new design that I am going for.

 

[Mmathis]

Have you figured out how you'll go under the sidewalk? Will the sidewalk remain structurally sound?

 

[Cj Harvey]

Have you figured out how you'll go under the sidewalk? Will the sidewalk remain structurally sound?

My plan is to use a plastic colvert pipe 24" in diameter or bigger. Should be able to seal the liner to the smooth surface of the colvert pretty easy. I also plan to purchase a plug for the colvert. I hav not found one large enough yet but I'm sure they make one. If I can find a plug I should be able to block one side off from the other for maintence and repairs if needed. I've been putting a lot of thought in it. Oh and yes the sidewalk will remain sturdy. I am going to attempt to take a piece out then put it back. But if I can't I will pour a new piece.

 

[Mmathis]

@Cj Harvey Well, that's pretty neat! We had a member a few years ago who did something similar and it all worked out well. And if it doesn't work out for the poor sidewalk....you could always turn it into a little bridge!

 

[Cj Harvey]

Is the person who did this before still around? Would love to get some input from him or her

 

[Mmathis]

Is the person who did this before still around? Would love to get some input from him or her

No. This was 3 or 4 years ago. She was one of those "here for a year -- then gone" members. It was someone who lived in Florida. I'll try to check the archives if I can recall her name.

 

[Mmathis]

@Cj Harvey Her name was "gardengimp." I didn't get a hit when I typed in a search by member name, but when I put "gimp" in the search bar, it pulled up several threads/posts that she participated in. Even though she's not still active, maybe you can search through her old threads and find something about the construction.

Screenshot I took when I found her posts.....

 

[Cj Harvey]

Awesome! Thank you

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Should be able to seal the liner to the smooth surface of the colvert pretty easy.

Creating a seal that has any real watertight integrity may not be as easy as you may think, but it can be done.

 

[brokensword]

I have spent months designing the pond on paper so I know exactly what I want and have no plans of changing it in the future.

can anyone here witness this? I didn't think this was even possible...nor possible to just think this way...!

 

[Angel]

S nj here liner is fine My pond is 4' deep and only freezes on the top few inches where i don't have a heater or water running.

Attaching the liner to the tunnel maybe an issue.