Problems With Koi Pond Liners

Koi ponds are landscaping fillers in large yards. The same tools to dig a ditch can be used to dig a koi pond. People enjoy koi ponds in the quiet areas of their yards. A water garden and a koi pond are not the same thing even though they use the same materials for construction. For example, the liner for both the koi pond and the water garden are the same.

  1. Size

    • In warmer climates Koi ponds are not manmade.

      The size of your pond liner corresponds to the size of the hole you dig and how many plants and koi you want to stock it with. A koi pond requires specific aquatic plants that are dependent on the climate you live in; if you want enough plants to have the koi pond not look man-made then the size needs to hold that many plants. Aquatic plants require a few gallons of water each to live healthy. Koi fish average a foot in length and also require a few gallons of water each. A common mistake first-time koi pond designers make is they get a liner that is too small for the hole they dug.

    Underlayment &Liner

    • Koi fish can grow to be 2 feet long.

      The pond underlayment is made of rubber like the pond liner. It sits between the ground and the pond liner. You can cut the size you need with scissors or use a utility knife. Do not just throw scrap pieces down on the excavated ground. All pieces of the pond underlayment require taping together to create a bond that can withstand the pressure and movement of both water and ground as they shift on top the pond liner. Not taping the pond underlayment sections together is a common problem later on for the pond liner. You do not tape the underlayment and the pond liner together. The pond liner needs smoothening so it stays flat. This will prevent wrinkles that create unsightly air pockets that must be fixed later on.

    Installation

    • A koi pond liner's health depends on proper installation.

      Many of the problems with a koi pond liner occur during installation. Purchase the right size liner, then make sure to dig a deep area for the koi pond with a 20 degree slope. Prepare the dug area for liner installation by removing all rocks, sod and roots at least 3 inches below the sand level. Anchor the liner with stone weights as well as long nails. Before filling with water let the liner and ground settle. Make sure you smooth out all wrinkles so nothing can puncture the liner from underneath.

    Edging

    • Many koi ponds have cement walls or rocks to hold the pond liner in place.

      Edging is the act of placing items around the pond. People use coping stones to weigh down the pond liner. A common problem happens when the weight of the water pulls the liner down away from the edge. Long nails pounded into the pond liner can serve as anchors. Another problem that occurs is that there isn't enough pond liner to sit the weighted stones on. Edging that people walk on around the pond requires mortar to keep the lining in place.