Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

I'm expanding my system, and I'm probably going to use pond liners for the the tank and grow beds. I am however a little worried that the stone I'll use in the grow bed will pierce the lining. Has anyone had a problem with this in the past?

Cheers
Rob

Good quality liner (like EPDM) is pretty tough...

Ok, cool, thanks.
I should be more specific, the liner i'm getting is 600grams per m2, reinforced PVC.

cheers
Rob

I'm very confident with the heavy duty EPDM liner, I'm using it for all my grow beds. I've not used the PVC type pond liner so have not personal experience with it. I have heard it is not as flexible (therefore somewhat more difficult to install) as the rubber but that is the only really negative comment I've heard about it.

Hi Rob:
I think as long as the layer under the liner is smooth and supports the liner evenly (like sand would be good) then it won't have problems with the rocks poking through. At least that's what I'm hoping.

Great, thanks everyone.
I'm getting the liners made to the shape of the boxes, so hopefully flexibility won't be an issue.
I may use a fabric (biddim) to line the inside of the bed to make certain that no gravel can pierce the liner. Definitely going to put some sand under the beds too.

Thanks
Rob

600g/m2 PVC - that's only about 0,5mm thick, right? That's the same stuff that I have in my growbed, but mine's only filled with lightweight clay pebbles.

PVC's tough stuff, but if you plan on using lots of sharp gravel, you might need a thicker liner. My fish tank is lined with 1,0mm EPDM, that's what I'd use with a gravel-filled growbed.

Also, DON'T cut and glue it at corners, just fold it! That way, it won't leak (like it did when I glued the corners)

I would put smooth river pea gravel in the bottom. I have used both PVC liners and now EDPM. I must say the PVC gets holes more easily for some reason. For a underlayment you can use old carpet with or without the padding; sand is good also, but I like the carpets ability to stop growing things.

Xzorby, Thanks! I don't know where to get EPDM, but I managed to find a company that can make the pvc liners to the exact dimensions I a require, so no gluing or folding I went ahead and ordered them, so no going back now!

Thanks Dan, I'll have to see if I can find some smooth river bed gravel. Most of the stuff I've been able to get is pretty rough. I'll definitely be putting down a base of sand and biddim (fabric) under the gbs, and as an added precaution I'll probably line the inside of the liner with biddim. The stuff doesn't rot, and should be fish safe, but I'll double check. It should provide additional surface area for nitrifying bacteria, but it will probably get clogged up with solids too

Thanks
Rob

6mil construction sheeting works well rocks dont impale it in my experience. Nothing else you could use hydroton to be safe.



Plastic welding or PVC welding. I always wanted to learn.