Anybody ever try to make a shallow small concrete/ quickcrete pond themselves? Just thinkin....of maybe making one in one of my day yards that is on a slope, that had a preform that leaked and I moved.... Seems like 6- 8" deep would be about right... maybe 3 t. wide by 4-6 feet long. Wonder how thick I'd need the concrete?
I don't think the concrete would last as long as you'd like. It will crack and leak sooner or later. I think you'd be better off with a pond liner.
We're going to do the same thing. A very big breeder nearby has 11 concrete ponds for her calls, mallards and various other ducks. She's had them for years so we got the advice off of her. She said the liners are what broke because (like mine do) her ducks get all excited when there's fresh water and they put holes and dents in the liners. We originally had a liner and it didn't last long. For the time being we have a pool liner in a hole we dug, but that's only until we get the money around for concrete. I can't wait, it'll be SO much easier to clean!!
The standard thickness should be about 3 1/2 inches, which is the thickness of a 2x4. This will hold a standard load like a human walking in it. When mixing the concrete, do not mix it very "watery" this will weaken the concrete and cause it to crack. I would also suggest that you smooth finish it, and then use a concrete sealer. If you plan on making a larger concrete pond or ponds, i would suggest calling in a concrete truck. Mixing quickcrete can be hard on the back and arms. I would also suggest putting a heavy plastic liner under the pond to help prevent slow leakage.
Quote:Wow. I don't think there is a section of concrete on our farm that doesn't have a crack in it, but then again everything here is on top of expansive clay soil.
Not too worried about cracks, could remortar or there is a concrete caulk sealant....I do have big pond (preform we had there, it was ok for 2 years, then the drain started leaking the year I let it freeze solid, so I removed it (plus the geese would "guard' it from the ducks, so am moving it nearer the garden and house. But it is too deep, I believe... I have read some breeders say a shallower pond cleans better, because they keep it stirred ... Partly because in the day pens, the tubs keep cracking (concrete mixing tubs)... I like to do things the hard way ;0), Most of my work on my 11 acres is handled by me with a wheelbarrow, craftsmen mower with wagon attached, a shovel, a hoe, saw, hammer drill and pliers ;0) so 3.5 inches would be thick enough, I 'm thinking freeform, maybe press some of the pond rock in it....Something I can bail water out with a broom and let the hose overfill it.....
To get a few extra years out of the concrete make the hole bigger than the pond you want, add 4-6 inches of sand and pack it using a packer until its firm. then do the same with 4-5 inches of gravel. Pour your slab over top on this, 3 - 4 inches will be more than ok with all the other layers set. You can even out chicken wire into to cement to ake it more durable( similar to adding wire mesh to side walks)
PondPro2000 is liquid EPDM very similar to EPDM pond liners sold in pond supply stores. It works extremely well on all non-porous concrete fountains as well as EPDM fishponds liners. Reflecting pools are another good application for EPDM.
