Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks for that feedback, will post a pic of the brick design, has a lip on the lower back edge that slots into the top of the one below, but only a small lip 1cm or so, any thoughts on reinforcing? Maybe boards down the sides or posts and treated pine board? Did you mean a dirt layer between the wall and pond liner may help?
For the bottom the sand in the vege patch isn't too bad as I have enriched it with plenty of organic matter and will probably hold form, though it might be best to put a crushed limestone base with soil over top to soften befor putting the liner?
Or I could. Change the fascade to match the waterfall wall and reinforce behind it around the stone wall with straps? Wish my brother was a structural engineer not mechanical

Thanks for sharing those pics dancinghrlady, just goes to show how endless are the possibilities.

The limiting factor is ones own imagination.

This is what my wall is made up of, except my bricks are not hollow, which I was not happy with when carrying them over soft sand to install

So that photo is not like what your wall is made of at all, is it Charlie? ;):?

Sorry Obelix, I didn't mean it wouldn't work its just its not ideal (and I am not a structural engineer).
A classical pond would have, from the bottom, sloping sides upwards to a point about 10-12" from the top then a shelf outwards and then upwards to the edging (used for marginal plants). The pressure of water directs itself in some funny ways. The thickness of your front and side walls (even without return) is likely to hold that depth easily to a shelf inwards then a slope towards the centre. The only slightly iffy bit is the rear thin wall.
As I have just got back from work and have had a few beers I would hope some of the other forum members could have a look at that.

Even though you are not a structural engineer, your thoughts are well considered and valuable, the funny thing it that the thin rear wall at the base is a slotted retaining wall reinforced to the top with soil as this is next door's groud level, doubt any problems with strength there.

Any thoughts on the type or brand of liner I need to use? Does it need to be professional or most pvp pond liners will do? And what thickness?

Well actually Faye, assuming that oval thing on the side is a sticker... That I have pulled off each and every one, then it is exactly what I have... Geez cheeky mods!!!

Doh! Sorry Obelix. Please forgive me and for mistakenly thinking it was Charlies comment too.

Forgiveness of a fellow west Aussie always comes with conditions.... Eagles or Dockers?

Any thoughts on the type or brand of liner I need to use? Does it need to be professional or most pvp pond liners will do? And what thickness?

Bought a German made pond liner about 20yrs ago and its still ok Don't know about the modern PVC liners. I suppose its a matter of how long you want it to last.

You only get what you pay for

Looks like it would cost $200-250 for a decent liner such as this???
http://www.yourpond.com.au/epages/shop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/fishandlily/Products/003232

Tried to find out how much it might cost to fibreglass the ft as I have sandy soil surrounding it but found too many things I didn't know... What resin to use, how many layers would be required top coating or not??? Anyone have a clue of a rough costing?

Think at some stage I will need to move this into a "my backyard setup" thread as I am a bit off track now!!!

I bought a roll of matting, 60kg polyester resin, catalyst, 20kg flowcoat, 2 different color additives, acetone, brushes, etc from Adelaide moulding and casting supplies.
It cost me about $1300.







Hope that gives you an idea of cost.

I still have most of a container of resin and 1/3 or so of the roll left, i think i will have atleast 2/3 of the flowcoat left too. The resin will only last about 3 month, the less air you have in the container the longer it will store.


Edit:
Oh, i have done 2 layers of resin, lost some from having to take out and repatch a couple of large sections. 2 layers seems pretty camn strong, but still flexible. i have had to drill out the base to pump out water to finish the job, the places that got 2 layers, plus the overlap from each (4 layers) seems to be a good centimetre thick, which is plenty.



As far as liners go, i would go for something like this:
http://www.gardenworldshop.com.au/lotus ... r-100.html

Its what i bought to line my "charlie bed" i just made.

Look at how long you need it for Obelix; when I bought mine I had some money and was not intending to stop using a 12 foot by 6 foot pond (with all the other bits), and I am sort of getting on and wanted it to last, without me doing anything.
As a test system check this company out (I have no affiliation and have only bought one thing from them, but they were priced well and fast) http://www.creativepumps.com.au/zpumps/ ... _liner.htm

Thanks for the quick response, perfect info for my psychic who can longer see any fibreglass tanks in my near future!!!

As for the proliner looks pretty good for $126 for a 3mx6m leaving plenty of width spare, unfortunately they only ship to Melbourne, will try find somewhere in Perth hopefully a similar sort of price, had planned to steer clear of the straight PVC, seems to be quite a few concerns for use with AP.