Building a water channel

[Zeb]

I heard that standard sand and cement can be poisonous for wildlife in a pond - is there anything else that can be used to make a channel?

I've thought of making a channel by shaping the earth then using a wide strip of pond liner - any other ideas?

[nightshade]

Trench and pond liner work for me,there are additives and non toxic cements if you like but they can crack,I suppose it depends on your skill, determination and ambition,what had you in mind?

[Zeb]

http://www.zeboliver.co.uk/pondpics/pond1.jpg

I was thinking of replacing the plastic pipe and bottom plastic tier with an open water feature and somehow make the fountain overhang the pond a little more, maybe with a large piece of slate?

[Jonny]

I do not know what you have heard about sand and cement mix, but I have never had any troubles by using it, including my own pond and others I have built for customers. I would of thought that once it has gone off it will be inert and cause no problems. That is my experience anyway. I would recommend using a waterproofing agent in the mix as pug (mortar) is not fully waterproof. Check the waterproofing agent is ok to use though. If you need any help regarding sand cement, give me a shout, I work with it...................Jon

[Zeb]

Many thanks.

I've heard its poisonous as a neighbour a couple doors down built a pond and instead of lining it he used sand and cement. Once finished he populated it with water and fish and they all died. Not quite sure how he came to the conclusion that it was the cement that did it.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Zeb

Many thanks.

I've heard its poisonous as a neighbour a couple doors down built a pond and instead of lining it he used sand and cement. Once finished he populated it with water and fish and they all died. Not quite sure how he came to the conclusion that it was the cement that did it.

I am not sure either, but I can tell you that many many ponds are built using concrete (ballast cement mix)...................Jon

[Zeb]

My only query with this is can the cement mix be moulded? I had an idea of pulling out the existing pond and instead making it larger but when we worked out the expenses it was around £250. Now you've got me thinking that I can still replace the current pond with a new and larger one.

I don't want to build it then a little while after filling it find that the cement is cracking under the weight of the water. How thick would you have the sides? At the moment its one of those pre-fab plastic shells with the deepest part being 4ft but I think 3ft is deep enough. I'd like to add wider shelves for plant tubs, a shallow end for easy access for wildlife and a built-in water feature if I was to make an area to house the bio box filter. The water filter would be a stream from the bio filter which is about 1ft above the water. I'd have pebbles in it for aesthetics

My girlfriend works for a nationwide DIY store so we can get discount on a lot of the materials saving some cash. I spent 3 years as a general builder working for a local building company so I've got some skills cementing.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Zeb

My only query with this is can the cement mix be moulded? I had an idea of pulling out the existing pond and instead making it larger but when we worked out the expenses it was around £250. Now you've got me thinking that I can still replace the current pond with a new and larger one.

I don't want to build it then a little while after filling it find that the cement is cracking under the weight of the water. How thick would you have the sides? At the moment its one of those pre-fab plastic shells with the deepest part being 4ft but I think 3ft is deep enough. I'd like to add wider shelves for plant tubs, a shallow end for easy access for wildlife and a built-in water feature if I was to make an area to house the bio box filter. The water filter would be a stream from the bio filter which is about 1ft above the water. I'd have pebbles in it for aesthetics

My girlfriend works for a nationwide DIY store so we can get discount on a lot of the materials saving some cash. I spent 3 years as a general builder working for a local building company so I've got some skills cementing.

I thought that you just wanted a channel. A concrete pond is something else. You will need shuttering to hold the concrete in place when it is poured and also steel reinforcing embedded in the concrete to prevent cracking due to ground heave. Once done, it is done for life, if done properly, but it will cost a lot more than using buytl (sp ?)..............Jon

[Zeb]

Yeah its only a channel, I'm just weighing up options and want to look into everything before I commit myself to anything.

I'll do some more research tomorrow, hopefully I'll be back at work and will be able to research some more when I get home.

[nightshade]

It is always nice to help Zeb but it is becoming a builders forum (yes you can mould concrete) and way out of the scope of a wildlife site,apart from the fact that it is the lime in cement that kills the fish etc.