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The get-rich-quick factor in the pond liner industry has forced up the price of pond liner kits to equal the cost of concrete construction. If you search for the truth about concrete ponds and waterfalls from reading the literature of the greed-driven liner pond industry, you will not find it. Why? Because if the truth be known, no one in their right mind would invest good, hard-earned money in a pond liner!
The pond liner track record speaks for itself:
More than 37% of all waterfalls have serious structural damage within 3 years of construction.
57% of homeowners say they are rather unsatisfied with the way their waterfall came out after the project was completed.
One in three waterfalls and ponds are leaking water within nine months of completion.
63% of "do-it-yourselfers" say they wished they had the proper information from the "get go" or that they had hired someone.
These statistics are from the pond liner industry itself (Bob Wilder, 48-Hour Waterfall). I can confirm and attest to these figures myself. I have built over 1,900 concrete and rebar waterfalls and ponds over the past 26 years. I have ripped out and replaced dozens of defective liner ponds and replaced them with concrete ones with lifetime warranties.
Pond liner guys will not attach more than a one-year warranty. They make no guarantee against rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers, tree roots and sharp objects.
Let's compare apples to lemons... First, let's talk about apples (concrete waterfalls). We will construct a pondless waterfall that is 20 inches wide at the top by 20 feet long, becoming 24 inches wide at the bottom, to create a spillway 3 feet tall. At the bottom is a catch basin 4 ft. x 6 ft. x 3 ft. deep. The costs of excavation are as follows:
To dig a waterfall and basin takes two men 4 hours @ per hour = 0.
The flexible PVC pipe is 35 ft. @ .25 per ft. = .
Concrete (3500 psi with stealth fiber)): 2 yards = 0.
20 pieces of 20 ft. x 3/8 inch rebar = 0.
One 1/3 HP high efficiency pump, 2800 GPH, 356 watts = 9.
One anti-vortex drain = .
Four 2 x 4 ft. heavy plastic corrugated or galvanized plans to cover the collection basin = . Setting the rebar: 3 man-hrs. = 5.
Pumping and finishing 2 yards of concrete: 4 man-hrs. @ /hr. = 0.
Applying thoro-seal, 1 sack + 1 hour = .
Rock work + 8 sacks mortar mix: labor - 8 man-hrs. @ /hr. = 0.
Mortar: .
TOTAL EXCAVATION COST FOR A CONCRETE POND = ,236.
With this type of construction, no filter is needed. The water in the basin is not exposed to sunlight, so there are no algae. Plus the top layer of rock and the planks are easily removed for cleaning out debris about once a year. If a plastic screen is placed over the planks before the rock layer, cleaning is reduced by 90%.
Now let's talk about the lemons (the liner folks). The pondless waterfall liner kit advertised by all the disciples of the "liner messiah" on their websites is ,940 + tax & shipping, or ,176.
And now for the math: One concrete/rebar construction pondless waterfall completed with high-efficiency pump = ,236. One pondless liner kit to build a pondless waterfall of the exact same dimensions = ,176. If I did the math correctly, the completed concrete pondless waterfall costs more than the pondless waterfall liner kit; however, it is still in the box!
Concrete and rebar pondless waterfall has a lifetime warranty. Liner pondless waterfall: 1 yr. warranty on labor, lifetime warranty against factory defect. But there is no warranty whatsoever against holes caused by rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers, tree roots, sharp objects, etc. Sorry Charlie!
Concrete and rebar pondless waterfalls use a high-efficiency above-ground pump that is easy to service (it has a 3 yr. warranty). The 1/3 HP pump is small, very quiet, and easily hidden behind a couple of rocks or plants next to the falls, or piped to another part of the yard. The liner pondless waterfall uses a submersible sump pump that is placed in the bottom of the basin, and then buried with hundreds of pounds of rocks. To service this pump (only a 2 yr. warranty), all the slimy, stinky rocks have to be removed from the basin first.
The concrete and rebar pondless waterfall pump produces 5,800 gallons per hour at only 356 watts (retail 9). The liner pondless waterfall kit comes with a sump pump (they advertise as "the best pump on the market"). It produces 5,700 gal/hour (100 gal. less) at a whopping 911 watts of power (over twice that of the above-ground pump). You will pay 5 more per year for electricity (at $.12/kwh) for that extra 555 watts. Their pump costs 0 retail (1 more than the above-ground). Oh, did I mention "the best warranty in the industry" is only 2 years, compared to 3 years for the above-ground?
The concrete and rebar pondless waterfall's rocks are all mortared in place. So anyone, especially small children, can climb on the rocks without them moving, with possible serious injury resulting. With liner pondless waterfalls, rocks will move and shift on their own without help. After a few months, the ugly liner is exposed in the falls and around the pond.
While building the concrete pondless waterfall, design liberties can be taken, such as altering the length, width or shape of the feature. With a liner pondless waterfall, the parameters have already been set by the manufacturer of the kit.
The concrete pondless waterfall can utilize the large, open basin to install an Aquafill automatic water leveling device. In addition, the basin can be made smaller because the space for water is not taken up by rocks as it is in the liner pondless waterfall basin. The only rock that exists is on top of the galvanized or plastic plank cover.
Wow! Concrete waterfalls are stationary, permanent, lifetime life-expectancy, cheaper to build, cheaper to operate, easier to clean, easy to maintain, longer pump warranty, safer and more natural looking! Apples or lemons? You be the judge!
I am sick and tired of these amateurs giving my life-long profession a bad name by their exaggerated, dishonest and sensational claims - only to be backed up by a nebulous warranty and, at best, shoddy workmanship. My disclaimer: There are professionals installing liners that do take measures to prevent rodent or root attacks by placing a think layer of mortar under and over the liner.
I found that if you are going to go to all that extra work and expense, just build it with 3500 psi concrete to begin with!
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You have always dreamed of having an"oasis" in your back yard. A beautiful koi pond can be that "oasis", and the envy of the neighborhood. Building a koi pond seems like a large undertaking, which can be intimidating. Here are 12 Tips you should know before starting your project.
1. Koi Pond Location
Choose a location that gets both sunlight and shade. Sunlight encourages plant growth, but encourages algae growth. Shade also gives your koi a cool, dark area to hide. If you must build in full sun, consider building some type of arbor.
2. Koi Pond Visibility
Once you've chosen a location, outline a 6'x8' area with a garden hose to define your pond. Stand back and examine the location from different vantage points. Will it be visible from your back deck, kitchen window or wherever you plan on admiring your pond?
3. Koi Pond Size
Your pond size is aesthetic as well as a maintenance issue. The larger the pond the more maintenance. The minimum size pond is a 1000 gallon ( 5'x6'x4'D) A 1500 gallon ( 7'x9'x4'D) allows for fish growth. A 2500 gallon ( 12'x7'x4'D) is an optimum size for a growing enthusiast.
4. Koi Pond Safety
The minimum depth should be no less than 3 feet. This should keep you koi from predators. Raccoons and larger birds should not cause a trouble at this depth.
5. Koi Pond Population
These beautiful small koi you stock your pond with will grow. Koi usually grow to 6" to 8" in one year, and 24" to 36" in 7 to 10 years. The average life expectancy is 20 years. Depending on water quality and pond maintenance, they have been known to live 40 years. Don't overpopulate your pond and allow room for growth.
6. Pond Climate Zones
The depth of your pond depends on your climate the frost line in your area. The frost line is usually between 3' to 5'.Your pond needs to be 18" to 24" below the frost line. Your local nursery will have this information.
7. Koi Pond Design
A pond with a flat bottom will require more maintenance as well as not provide a place for your fish to hide. A good design would be like a watermelon cut in half lengthwise. The bottoms slow curvature will lend to debris funneling to filtration. An advantageous design the aforementioned design with a convex center area with a deeper area on either side. This design looks good and would help ensure a healthy environment and aiding in debris reaching your drains.
8. Koi Pond Plant
Plants add beauty and aid in a healthy eco-system for your koi. Plants absorb nitrates that will build up in your pond without them. Plants should be placed on small 1'x 1'sheves at either end of you pond. The shelf should be 2' to 2 1/2' deep to discourage predators.
9. Koi Pond Maintenance
A well designed pond will require about an hour of maintenance a week. You will need to test the water, feed the fish, and change filters etc. You would need to make time and set up your routine.
10. Koi Pond Aeration
You would need to provide aeration for a healthy environment for your koi. One way is to buy a beautiful fountain, which will add oxygen to the pond. Another idea would be to build a tiered waterfall out of stone. Both these ideas will provide healthy eco-system for your koi, and add beauty to your pond.
11. Koi Pond Water Quality
Your koi pond's design and water quality are the two most important factors in a successful koi pond. Remember that koi are 90% water. Water quality is dependent on filtration. Your systems turnover rate should be set at two hours. Turnover rate is the amount of time it takes for your pond volume to travel through the system. Your turnover rate will also determine the residence time in the filter chamber. Two minutes is best for the bio filter to strip out contaminants.
12. Koi Pond Construction and Cost
The two main construction methods are concrete and rubber liner.
Concrete is a more permanent option which add to your property value. The advantages are smooth walls which aid in maintenance and durability. The disadvantages are a ph that is higher than normal and cost factors. Cost estimates for a small pond can range between 00 to 00 depending on your market. It is best to get estimates from professionals in the pool industry.
Rubber liner construction is not as permanent but less costly. The advantages are that you can change your design if you need to and it's easier to work with. It's the choice of the do it yourself builders. The disadvantages are it's less permanent and the liner may leak after a few years. Cost estimates for a small pond can range between 0 to 00.
Water quality and the proper design are the key elements to building a successful koi pond. You now know the 12 most important tips in planning your project. Using this information will take the fear out of your endeavor. You can now tackle the project yourself , or be able to talk confidently to any professional you hire.
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