Fish Ponds In Garden (with Leaks)!

[Walter Watkins]

I have several fish ponds in my large garden which have been constructed using concrete. However, earth movements, poor quality of materials etc. has made these ponds leak.

I am seeking to build or make fibre glass ponds which will be strong and waterproof so as to secure non leakage.

Does anyone on this forum know of where I might obtain necessary materials (in Patthaya) for the DIY building of fibre glass garden ponds.

I am also a novice at the DIY aspect. Can anyone recommend publications or else internet links helpful to fibre glass pond construction.

Mr. Walter Watkins.

[Ajarn]

Maybe it's simpler just to patch the cracks with more concrete?

I just finished my third waterfall/fish pond. That one was made using one of the preformed/premade ponds that cost about 1200 baht. About 2 meters x 1.5 meters x 40cm..

Previous ones developed small cracks, but concrete patching fixed them right up.

[gburns57au]

I have several fish ponds in my large garden which have been constructed using concrete. However, earth movements, poor quality of materials etc. has made these ponds leak.

I am seeking to build or make fibre glass ponds which will be strong and waterproof so as to secure non leakage.

Does anyone on this forum know of where I might obtain necessary materials (in Patthaya) for the DIY building of fibre glass garden ponds.

I am also a novice at the DIY aspect. Can anyone recommend publications or else internet links helpful to fibre glass pond construction.

Mr. Walter Watkins.

I dont know where Patthaya is.....

Seriously if you are looking at this as a business....it is a specialist area....unless you have some knowledge of this area, I wouldnt entertain it

[penzman]

In some cases, shallow ponds or empty swimming pools start floating like a boat if the ground underneath contains enough water to lift them. Your pond may have too much surface and or not enough weight to prevent them from floating and cracking.

I'd definitely try a plastic or rubber membrane before going fiberglass, a messy and stinky job.

There are also some good sealers that turn to a resistant rubbery surface. Jota Floor Coating (made by Jotun), I've used this in my storage room behind the house, you spread it around with a roller and it then becomes a rubbery surface that can withstand stretching from cracked concrete underneath. Comes in different colours. Non-toxic for you fish once dried. You may have to apply a few coats on slopes as it's quite runny when you prepare the mixture from 2 different liquids.

[aughie]

A gentleman from Ko Samui posted a question on this site.

FAQ Pond Liners in Pond Construction

Shawn Mayes

Nagalaya Co. Ltd.

Koh Samui, Thailand

His post has the pic of Samui. He might know where to obtain polyproplene or polyethylene liners. They are used in fish farming and ornamental ponds. Manufacturers claim they are UV resistent and good for 20 years.

[Humphrey Bear]

Two alternatives - there are several sales outlets in and around Pattaya that sell preformed fibre-glass ponds of various sizes and shapes. But even more than with concrete, these may heave if there is a change in ground conditions. Best to set them in a concrete outer support.

As most people have said - use a polypropylene liner to your existing pond(s). Much the best way, tuck in the top under paving surrounding the ponds, leave about three inches of freeboard as a minimum.

[ozzydom]

Look around the hardware outlets or plumbing supplies for a product called SIKAFLEX comes in a cartridge, i have used it for years to repair anything, leaks in boats to cracks in 50,000 litre water tanks , it has never failed.

[ProThaiExpat]

I had a leaking concrete pond once that had no filter or other "sophisticated" pond technology, so I merely turned on the water refill line to balance the leak. I lost about an inch a day in pond level and the cost was negligible, and the fish sure appreciated the fresh water.

I have no clue what normal evaporation is from a non leaking pond, would depend on if you have a water fall, I am sure.

I am sure a slurry coat of cement or roofing material would seal the pool easily. Concrete Patch from HomePro would work well if you know where the leak is.

[buadhai]

I built a pond using EPDM, the same material used for roofing. See this link:

Pond Constuction

I had a second concrete pond that developed some cracks. I repaired them using a product called "Thoroseal" (sp?). This is the stuff that is used to line a concrete swimming pool. It is a very good sealant. I'm sure similar products are available anywhere. It is basically a sticky cement mix with some grog (sand) mixed in to avoid shrinkage and to fill cracks.

[Humphrey Bear]

I have no clue what normal evaporation is from a non leaking pond, would depend on if you have a water fall,  I am sure.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In the Middle East - hot, dry climate - about 1cm per 24 hours.

Here I would estimate less than half that. But you should still top-up frequently with water that has stood overnight. Gets rid of the excessive chlorine. (If you are using mains water)

[Ajarn]

I have no clue what normal evaporation is from a non leaking pond, would depend on if you have a water fall,  I am sure.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In the Middle East - hot, dry climate - about 1cm per 24 hours.

Here I would estimate less than half that. But you should still top-up frequently with water that has stood overnight. Gets rid of the excessive chlorine. (If you are using mains water)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good point about chlorine in the tap water. I refilled my pool last month with tap water, and found that the chlorine level was about 10 times higher than the level I maintain in my pool. A day later, and the chlorine level was zero...

[gburns57au]

Sikaflex would be ok to fix cracks in concrete ponds... there is also an Araldite product using a two pack system which works in a capillary method....drill small holes in the cracks and fill from the bottom hole till the mixture comes out of the hole above it. Using a home made slurry will provide a short term fix but wouldnt last too long.

The rubber membrane which is actually a latex based waterproofer is ok to seal areas such as showers, gutters, water tanks etc...and has been used to line places such as the BKK subway system (a company I worked for actually tendered for that)...but it is only a membrane and wont repair the actual substrate.

The Sikaflex and the Araldite products would be the best fix solution for concrete ponds that are leaking but I would recommend the sikaflex for small ponds and the Araldite product for large ponds and swimming pools. Once you move into fibre glass ponds then you will need a resin repair product to fix any leaking.

The Company I worked for manufatured Blackseal, elastoseal, elastoseal HD and Wetite shower sealer (all latex based membranes)....they also manufactured many other waterproofing products as well as sealers for tiles, driveways, limestone, bricks etc...as well as mortar additives and Paints.

They exported a lot of the latex based membranes to a lot of SE Asian countries.

[Bikkel]

Found someone with the same problem:

http://www.koi.com.my/forum/KOI_Talk_C1/Po...te_pond_P56641/

How about this:

http://www.bondall.com/Products%5CWaterpro...lt.asp?pid=1648

[thai_norman]

Theres a fiberglass shop on soi thepasit, if you come in from thappya road its about 10 shops up on the right hand side, he makes stuff from fiberglass.

If you want to diy, then one of the hardware stores near Naklua market sells everything you will need.