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like a cement sealer?
Sorry, I didn't give enough info. Many years in construction.
Cement is only one of the ingredients in concrete- it's a very common mistake, since what we call cement mixers are actually concrete mixers. Usually, the mix is cement, sand and some gravel.
Seepage is the water migrating out through unsealed concrete - there was a thread recently about someone wondering why their "cement" pond kept evaporating overnight- it wasn't evaporation, it was seepage. Unless the concrete is sealed somehow, putting plastic underneath will simply lead to water between the plastic and concrete, possibly causing the concrete to crack.
Sealant is available in many forms from any builder's or paint store. Most are non-toxic if given the proper amount of time to cure. Anything from clear to all sorts of pretty paint colors!
If you go to a Home Depot or Lowe's, in the Garden area, they will likely have all the info you need, maybe even a seminar all about it. I found a local plant nursery once that had all sorts of print outs and half day classes- it was pretty cool.
I'm a tile man, so I know all about how water will go threw any masonry product, however it's not to that extreme, they will not go dry over night, unless it's so thin that you really cant call it a concrete pond to start with, none of mine ever did I had tons of them, literally 4 acres worth. Now to seal one would be the preferred way to go in a perfect world with not harsh toxic chemicals. But all the sealers I have ever seen and used smell like they'd strip paint off your truck and all have toxic warnings on them
On the other hand, were talking $100- $250 a pair bird here, there is now way in the world I'd put a possible toxic sealer into what they will be drinking and living on.
Home Depot and Lowes yes can tell you how to use them, but if asked if they are toxic to waterfowl, they are going to look at you like you are nuts, after all most of them just started yesterday. If I cant drink it, I wouldnt advise you use it on expensive ornamental waterfowl either
Make it about 3 inches thick, plastic under it if you'd like (I never bothered like I said I used the seepage to my advantage) and trust me they'll be fine.
They plus to the drain is you can wash all the mess down with it if you use a 4 inch line.
I did the ol sump pump thing too for years, problem with that is now YOU have to get in there and shovel all the liquefied bird poop out. If you dont mind, they are the easiest to built by far. Otherwise remember they can fill and small pond full of "duck mud" in a matter of a week or so.
