Use Concrete To Build A Fish Pond

Posted byPaola Nadeau on Jan 2021 in Construction and maintenance | 0 comments

Using cement in Hertfordshire is one of the traditional ways to build a backyard fish pond, and even with the advent of alternate techniques, concrete remains the superior way to construct a pond. Many homeowners are taking advantage of the pre-formed plastic ponds available at many home supply stores. This is probably the easiest way to build a pond. Unfortunately, many homeowners find the structure weak, and that it tends to crack and leak after a few years. A more popular way is to line the pond with EPDM synthetic rubber to form the pond. Unfortunately, the rubber material is susceptible to tears and holes. Both the pre-form and the rubber also have difficulty maintaining the proper pH level appropriate for fish. For this reason, homeowners still choose to use cement in Hertfordshire to build a pond that is both structurally sound and fish friendly.

The first step is to plan out the size of the pond. It should be the right size for your yard, not too big as to overwhelm, not so small as to appear as a puddle. One trick is to cut black construction paper or tarp to size, and then place it where the pond would go and then take a step back. It will give a good rough idea of how the size of the pond will seem when completed.

Once you have the size of the pond decided, lay out a string with some nice random curves to make the pond look natural. Stake the string in place, or trace the path of the string with orange marking spray. Then dig the pond. The minimum depth for a fish pond is three feet. This keeps your pond from turning into an instant smorgasbord for the local bird population. Keep a few square feet flat at the bottom to avoid a bowl shape. At the same time, try to keep the sides from being too steep. This is because the trickiest part of creating a concrete pond is to properly build the sides. The steeper the sides, the harder the process. As you dig, also make sure to keep the sides as smooth as possible. Chop away roots or other obstructions.

Now you are ready to lay the chicken wire form. Cut the form as needed to make a smooth inlay. Remember that you don’t want the concrete to be more than a few inches thick.

Now mix your cement in Hertfordshire. Start with the base and pour the concrete to a depth of three to four inches. Then mix your cement with less water to make a thicker mixture for the walls. Complete by applying the concrete to the walls and smooth with a trowel.

If you are considering building a backyard fish pond, consider using Concrete Express to ensure a durable, fish friendly structure.