advice needed for waterproofing a pond

[expat]

ExPat living in Holland.

Im currently building a new pond, size about 1100 gallons +/- max .. im using a heavy duty breeze block its got lugs to interlock to ajoining blocks (some dutch design..but its like lego and i like it ).This is built on a concrete base of 20cm steel mesh reinforced concrete .The walls will be a screed finish and a window of approx 80lx40w and will be placed 60cm down a 1m wall (i will know the true measurement of the window on the next course of blocks).Ive been advised to use a single 19mm hardend glass because of the pressure of the water.

Ive been thinking about using a paint selant "Aqua forte Impermax" ,this by the specs i can paint on the rendered walls .. a few coats and the baby should be water proof .
About the waterproofing im still not totally sold on but it seems so easy and what ive read about people experiences are different reports .

Please if any one has experience of the impermax waterproofing ,good or bad pls let me know and any other advice or opinions to the construction are really welcome.

Marc

[Martin R]

Hi Marc,
Welcome to NWKS Forum. Hope the 'Cloggies' are treating you well. Seriously, lovely country, and great people. Plenty of Koi keepers there too

I've no personal experience with the waterproofing paint you mention. However, I have spoken with many pond builders that have used either waterproofing paints or liquid Rubber.
Plenty of them have either had leaks or total disasters (Rubber peeling off).
I know loads of pond builders with Liner ponds or Fibre glassed ponds. Can't think of any who have had problems with waterproofing.
My advice? Use Fibre glass on rendered blocks or a good quality Buytl liner (possibly box welded).

All the best
Martin

[GARRY HB]

Hi Marc, I would go along with what Martin suggested. For me it has to be fibreglass everytime.

I've had experience with both paint and liners and on both occassions I had problems. I had problems with paint peeling off around the TPR's. The peeling paint itself was quite sharp to the touch at its edges and could have caused serious damage to my koi.

My liner pond was surround by slate. When I lifted a piece to check a skimmer I knocked another piece which fell into the pond and actually punctured it!

If you do go down the liner route you would do well to get it box welded to size as Martin suggests. An ordinary liner can hold a million beasties in the corner folds.

Having said that I've also known painted ponds and ponds with liners that have worked perfectly well. But if you want to edge your bets in your favour I'd go fibreglass.

Check here to see the product Marc is talking about,
http://www.aqua-forte.com/pdf/Impermax_E.pdf

GARRY HB

[expat]

A quick update

Thnxs for the advice guyz .The pond is now gone te revision 2.0 and has a fiberglass liner .

Building here has come to a stand still because of a shortage of my lego blocks (2 week delivery time ) .Im now trying to find some goods prices for the fiberglass here in holland .Ive mailed a few suppliers in the uk but the shipping is difficult due to the chemicals being hazardous.

[site admin]

Hi,
On the subject of fiberglassing, at the moment I am having my pond fiberglassed by Dave Arnold, and I have told him about yourself and the problem you have in getting the supplies to you.
He said for you to contact him, and he will try and help you out.
his number is 07737 179 704.
Also he has traveled far and wide to do pond fiberglassing.

Hope this helps,
Dave.

[Martin R]

Marc,
Sorry to hear your Lego is delayed.
You should have written sooner to Santa

Glad you're going for Fibre glassing option too. I'd think seriously about using a professional to do this rather than attempting it yourself. Dave Arnold has a good reputation in UK for doing a quailty at good prices.
If you make any slight errors in the mixing of the Resin, Styrene can leach out into the Pond for ages, possibly poising your koi.

Martin