Rock Pond Liners – A Complete Guide

Picking out the best pond liner is one of the most important decisions when building a pond. Rock pond liners are ideal for people who wish to make their pond look natural and more attractive. These pond liners involve using rocks and pebbles to surround the water, thereby giving it more protection.

Before getting rocks for a pond, it is vital to consider certain factors in the long run. One of them is finding out exactly how wide and deep the pond is before lining it with rocks. Rock pond liners have much more significance than just being used to surround a body of water. Even if one doesn\’t fancy having a pond of his or her own, knowing how to set it up can come in handy one way or the other.

This guide examines the benefits of lining one\’s pond with rocks and the various concerns associated with rock pond liners.

Pond Liners

Pond liners are geosynthetic materials that help hold the pond water together. The pond liners help ensure that the water stays in the enclosed space. It also helps prevent water leakage at the base of the pond. There are presently various types of pond liners, and knowing a good pond liner prevents water leakage and stops dirt from getting into the pond.

The various types of pond liners include:

PVC Pond Liners:

The PVC pond liner is not very thick but still durable. It saves cost, especially if one doesn\’t have much to spend. Because of its texture, it tends to tear in cold weather, significantly below 8°C, because of its texture. But the good thing is that it is easily mended at a cheap rate, and it still serves its purpose.

The 0.75mm Pond Liners:

The 0.75mm thick pond liner is more reliable than the PVC. It can survive harsher conditions than PVC. It lasts for more extended periods and doesn\’t tear easily. Even though it hardly pulls, it should still be handled with care when fixing. Fixing the 0.75mm pond liner helps avoid mistakes that will cause tears.

The 1mm Pond Liners:

The 1mm liner is highly durable and can stand callous weather conditions. It can last for over ten years. It is made of suitable materials, enabling the liner to hold a large amount of water. The liner is therefore ideal for large ponds.

Pond liner contains materials that don\’t quickly wear out. Most used pond liners are not UV light-resistant. They become affected when exposed to UV light, reducing the life span. An example of this type of pond liner is Reinforced polyethylene. Although it is very durable, it cannot withstand UV light.

In the case of Reinforced polypropylene, UV light doesn’t affect it, but it is costly. Buying this liner can take a toll on a person\’s financial situation. But there is no reason to spend much if one can easily afford rocks that will add beauty to one\’s pond. Rock pond liners are of good benefits.

Should I Line My Pond With Rocks?

This question has caught the interest of so many pond owners. Having the best kind of pond is the primary desire. However, is it possible to have a pond without rocks? Having a pond without stones is not new and can be done. A pond with or without stones is still a pond, but how attractive is it?

Lining one\’s pond with rocks is highly encouraged. Stones help to hold the pond liner in place. If not firmly supported, winds and even the stirring of animals can disturb pond liners. Therefore, lining a pond with rocks is a very advisable cause.

Rocks Vs. No Rocks – Which Is Best For Your Pond

This question has come up among many pond owners. This argument is because everyone has their point of view. There are several cases of pond owners who keep ponds without rock pond liners. explained below are the benefits and disadvantages of lining or not lining one\’s pond with rocks.

Rocks

Rocks are common masses of solid minerals that occur naturally. Using suitable rocks is beneficial to ponds. There have been selected rocks like granite, gravel, and limestone that help the ponds. Below are some pros and cons of having rocks in a pond.

Benefits:

  1. Rocks like pebbles make the ponds look natural. When rocks are carefully crafted and placed, they enhance the surrounding areas. Rocks make ponds look real. A pond with rocks draws more attention than rock-fewer ponds will.
  2. Rocks help to balance the ecosystem. Ponds can stay many years without being cleaned and look okay if there are rocks—the surface of rocks houses essential bacteria. The housed bacteria help clean the pond. They tend to break down waste products like fish waste. They also keep algae in check by removing what nourishes them. Thus, the rocks indirectly help in keeping the pond clean.
  3. Rocks trap debris like leaves and branches. By so doing, they help to maintain a clean look. By trapping the waste, the water remains clear and not cloudy.
  4. Rocks clearly outline the bottom of the pond. Rocks at the bottom give a clearer view of what is beneath. Gemstones are of different forms and sizes. Therefore, the variety of the stones blends, allowing one to see the pond more clearly.
  5. Rocks help stop one\’s feet from slipping. Imagine skipping across the pond, and losing footing. You can quickly stabilize yourself by holding on to a rock before falling. It is hard to maintain balance in the rock-less pond as you hardly find what to support you.
  6. Rocks protect the liner from UV rays. UV light is very harmful to the liner. Direct exposure to the light will cause the liner to start breaking. A break in the liner causes leakages, and rocks help to prevent that.

Cons

  1. Sharp-edged rocks can tear the liner. For this reason, it is pertinent to check the edges of the stones during placement.
  2. The trapped debris between the rocks can be hard to remove.
  3. Using the wrong rocks can be very harmful. Some stones have some contaminants that wash out, affecting the water. It is important to always ensure to use only good stones.
  4. Setting up the pond is more expensive due to the use of both pond liners and rocks.
  5. Cleaning the pond once or twice a year is advisable because cleaning after a long period will be more challenging. Cleaning after the dirt has piled up will be even more complex.

No Rocks

Pros

  1. Using a black pond liner helps to outline colorful fishes. You can see the full color of the fish in the dark base. You can therefore admire it more.
  2. Wastes are easier to clean as they don\’t get stuck between the rocks. For this reason, picking leaves and branches is easy.
  3. It is cheaper to set it up.

Cons

  1. There will be high algae accumulation. The absence of rocks gives little room for good bacteria. Food waste from fish is therefore not broken down.
  2. If the liner does not resist UV light, it will be badly affected. The liner may start leaking, leaving the owner at a loss.
  3. The pond might not have a natural aesthetic look. The ponds will still look pleasant but not as attractive as the natural pond with rocks.

NOTE:  Create bottom drains at the bottom of the pond for cleaning.

From these, rock pond liners have more benefits. Having a full rock pond is easier to maintain, cleaner, and more attractive. The rock-less pond can also be adopted if one is willing to take extra measures to keep it.

Five Reasons to Line Pond with Rocks and Gravels

So many people have wondered why rocks and gravel are put together. Isn\’t one enough? One is enough, but the two are better. Here are some reasons why:

  1. Cleaning bacteria grow on rock surfaces, making cleaning the water easy, but they also form colonies on gravels. Multiple bacteria biofilm are found on gravels, which ultimately gives more advantages. With the use of rocks and gravel, one can be sure to have a clean pond without manual cleaning.
  2. Funny as this may sound, it provides hiding and playing spots for the fishes. Yes, all animals need to have games. Also, putting gravels with rocks gives the fishes hiding places in the event of predators.
  3. There will be extra UV light protection for the pond liner. The pond liner that resists UV light is more costly. For this reason, the pond liner without UV light resistance is commonly seen and lasts long if covered, hence, gravels and rocks give it the protection it needs.
  4. They give the pond a very natural and attractive look. Nature is beautiful. A natural-looking pond with beautiful fishes can prevent very pleasing aesthetic value.
  5. Plants will have room to grow. In a bare pond, one has to place potted plants to have room to grow well, but in a rock-lined pond, the plant roots are established between the gravels and do not have to fight for nutrients unlike in a rock-less pond. The plants will collect the nutrients faster than the algae, thus limiting their growth.

Common Concerns over Using Rocks and Gravels in Ponds

Over the years, pond owners have had various concerns about rocks. There has been a mix-up because of how small gravels and some stones can be. Highlighted below are some of the concerns of pond owners and aspiring pond owners as regards using rocks and gravels in ponds.

Will the rocks and gravels make the pond dirty?

When gravels and rocks are in place, everything looks tidy and reasonable. Rocks and gravels don\’t muddy the ponds. Due to busy schedules, disregard, or even ignorance, specks of dirt tend to pile up in a pond over time. When one now decides to clean, he or she comes to realize that cleaning is beyond one day\’s job. Frequent cleaning keeps the pond clean and tidy.

Can the rocks and gravels make holes in the pond liner?

If the edges of the rocks and gravels are not considered, this will likely happen. For this reason, it is important to carry out a thorough inspection of the stones. Inspecting it will reduce mistakes.

Can the rocks and gravels kill the fish?

There is a slight chance this can happen due to washing off some chemicals from the rocks. Even if this happens, it is not the fault of the stones. Sometimes, pond owners fail to take note of the stones used, and some are not good. Some fishes may die in this kind of event because of the chemical.

Can the rocks fall off the pond liner?

If you don\’t use solid and reliable gum, the rocks can fall off, causing some organisms death in the pond. A robust and dependable gum is what should always be applied when rock lining.

How to Glue Rocks to Pond Liner

  1. Carefully select large, smooth rocks.
  2. Use a gum that can withstand pressure, hold rock on a liner and not lose its grip in the water.
  3. Cut the rocks into desired shapes. If you want circles, then they should all be circles. If you wish to have different forms, you can, but not too much.
  4. This is where one\’s creativity comes into play here. Arrange the rocks on the liner the way you want them to stay.
  5. Now, pick each rock, rub the glue on the backside and place it back exactly where you want it to be.
  6. Rub the glue between the rocks so they can attach themselves. You can decide to place the travels between the stones. But if you desire to have space in between, then no problem.

Note: The rocks should not be clumped up in one place to ensure easy cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can My Pond Liner Be Patched?

Yes, pond liners can be patched in the event of any tear.

  1. Can I Use Swimming Pool Liner Instead?

Using a pool liner is not advisable because a pond liner is designed to be non-toxic. It is designed like that to allow life\’s continuity.

  1. What Kind Of Rocks Can I Use?

Without worry, one can use rocks like granite, flagstone, sandstone, and limestone.

  1. How do the bacteria maintain clean water?

All ponds are functional because of nitrifying bacteria. This bacterium helps to clean the pond. The bacteria are all unwanted and degradable material.

Conclusion

Rock pond liners are effective for great ponds. This guide gives the assurance and benefits of lining ponds with rocks at home without stress. It can also be easily cared for too. The steps to place gums on the rock liners effectively can help to ensure that one has a good, clean, and safe pond.

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