Is concrete OK in a pond?

Cement is a safe material to use in fish ponds, but it does need some curing and cleaning before you fill the pond and add fish. In the first few weeks of exposure to water, it can affect the pH balance and make it difficult to keep at a level fish prefer.


Can I put concrete blocks in my pond?

Concrete bricks, blocks, and pavers are also generally safe to add to a pond. If you have fish and are concerned about sudden changes in pH, let any new concrete bricks you want to add rest outdoors away from the pond for a few months.

What kind of concrete do you use for ponds?

There's no special concrete that's used for building ponds. It's the same material used to build foundation walls, footings, driveways, patios and sidewalks. Concrete mixes used to build a pond should be at least 3000 psi for floors, foundations and below grade walls. For pond walls above grade use a 4000+ psi mix.


How do you make a concrete pond safe for fish?

Concrete ponds can be “cured” and made safe for fish without any special coatings. Keep the newly constructed pond filled for a week, then drain and refill. After two weeks, drain and refill again. After three weeks, drain and refill again.

Is concrete waterproof for a pond?

However, concrete is a porous material and can eventually leach lime and other chemicals into your pond unless you seal the pond with a waterproofing compound. The market provides different products that provide a flexible, rubber-like, waterproof coating for your concrete pond.


Between Concrete pond and Earthen pond: which one is better?



How do you cure concrete in a pond?

TO CURE - Newly cemented ponds release quantities of free lime into the water which is toxic to fish and plants. By curing the pond, this danger is removed. To cure, mix one-gallon household vinegar to each 200 gallons of water in your pond and let set three days. Empty and rinse thoroughly.

How long does it take for a pond to cure concrete?

Depending on the intended use, the variables of moisture, time, and temperature will change. For the most part, curing time ranges from 72 hours to 2 weeks. Other elements will vary as well depending on the size of the slab, the density, etc.

What are the disadvantages of concrete pond?

The disadvantage of a concrete pond is that they cost more to build. This added expense may be off set to some extent when you consider the value a well built pond may add to property value.


Is cement OK for fish?

Why is concrete/cement toxic to fish? Lime is a major component of cement and concrete. It dissolves easily in water (water soluble) and drastically changes the pH of water increasing the alkalinity (pH 11-13), which causes burns (just like an acid burn) on fish and kills fish and other aquatic life.

How do you water proof a concrete pond?

How to waterproof a pond using Liquid Rubber waterproofing paint?
  1. Clean the pond thoroughly & let dry.
  2. Apply Liquid Rubber & bandage to all areas needing extra reinforcement such as penetrations, joins etc.
  3. Apply 3 coats of Liquid Rubber allowing to cure approx. ...
  4. Let final membrane to cure minimum 3 weeks.


Can concrete hold water?

Some are only on the surface and others run deeper into the center of the concrete. Because of all these pores, concrete can absorb and hold a lot of water.


Is there a waterproof concrete?

Waterproof concrete (also called integral concrete) is generally best for water retaining structures and less critical basements that are less than 10 meters deep, where soil conditions are not aggressive, and where the consequences of flooding are less severe.

Is concrete a good pond liner?

It is certainly not an undertaking to take on lightly. However, a well-built concrete pond can last for generations. The durability of concrete is still unmatched by other pond liners. For a professionally-installed pond where budget is less of an issue, or for very large ponds, concrete can still be a great choice.

How thick does concrete need to be for a pond?

The concrete should be 4 to 6 inches thick. Once the dimensions are established and an outline laid out, dig out the soil for the entire pond. Forms must be built in place to hold the concrete while it dries and cures. Concrete reinforcing bars must be cut to size and fitted into the construction.


What can I stock my backyard pond with?

To properly balance your pond, you should stock your pond with three prey fish, like perch or bluegill, for every predator fish, such as bass. This pond stocking strategy will ensure that predator fish will have a bountiful selection of prey, while still giving the prey fish a sporting chance to mature and reproduce.

Can you pour concrete in a lake?

If the water is moving, it can wash away the cement paste that's holding the sand and gravel together. But if the water is calm, then it's not a problem at all.

Is concrete toxic to animals?

The Dangers

Your dog can wind up with a variety of health issues if he eats concrete. These issues include damage to his teeth, damage to his intestines, a potentially fatal intestinal blockage or even poisoning from the substances used to make concrete.


Is concrete safe for koi pond?

Concrete works well for koi ponds because you can make the pond any shape you want. This durable material will last for decades -- an important factor considering most koi live for 25 to 35 years. Concrete also works well for installing large ponds that can accommodate these large fish.

What should you not do with concrete?

Here are the top concrete pouring mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.
  1. Underestimating the Amount of Concrete You Need. ...
  2. Ordering the Wrong Kind of Concrete. ...
  3. Improper Installation of Concrete Forms. ...
  4. Using the Wrong Cement-to-Water Ratio. ...
  5. Waiting Too Long to Level After Pouring. ...
  6. Removing the Forms Too Soon.


Why is my concrete pond losing water?

Leaks will occur when the bond becomes too weak in a specific area. These problems are often a consequence of poor construction on the part of the contractor. If the cement mix is not done in just the right way it may be insufficiently hydrated which causes a cure that is uneven.


Does a pond decrease property value?

According to American Forest Management, the addition of a pond can increase one's property value by an average of six percent, though that number varies by region.

How long does it take for concrete to decompose in water?

Seawater is the secret behind the strength of the Pantheon and Colosseum. Modern concrete—used in everything from roads to buildings to bridges—can break down in as few as 50 years.

Will a pond eventually seal itself?

Ponds that seep a little may seal themselves through natural siltation.


Do you need rebar for concrete pond?

Structures/forms need to be built and properly placed where concrete is to be poured. This should be done along with the proper positioning of cut-to-fit rebar (reinforcement bars).

What can I mix with concrete to make it waterproof?

Concrete admixtures for waterproofing

To obtain tighter concrete, the concrete admixture MasterLife WP 799 reduces the number of air pores and therefore also the water permeability of the concrete. Its additional superplasticizer component ensures high strength and good processing properties.
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