Continue to publish interesting articles on landscape design, namely, artificial lakes and ponds. Today we publish the continuation of the material in which we have described how to choose the size and place in the ponds. Today let's talk about something else - from which it can make a pond (pond).

An artificial pond with his hands - materials and accessories - Part 2

An artificial pond can be made ​​from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or butyl rubber film, use one tank of reinforced plastic or fiberglass, a cup made ​​of reinforced concrete pond. On the quickness of creating the first place is occupied purchase capacity from fiberglass - all that is required is enough for them to dig a foundation pit and install a tank (it resembles a plastic bowl large and often bizarre). True, the big pond of fiberglass will not be able to arrange - container production usually have a small square the (usually an area of approximately 4 m 2, the depth of -500-800 mm). Larger fiberglass tanks are designed more for swimming pools (an area over 10 m2) and therefore are expensive. However, a small pond of plastic or fiberglass for a small suburban area is fine. The cost depends on the volume, shape and color - on average between 1000 and 8000 rubles. Large pond and a "free" (ie, not tied to some standard forms) plan can be arranged using a film (PVC or butyl rubber) - a film need to waterproof the pond. The cost of such a film is low, in retail outlets, it is widely represented and quality, and producers. To create a garden pond is suitable PVC film (the price - between 160 rub/m2) or Butyl rubber (the price - between 280 rub/m2). The first material has sufficient strength and elasticity, different qualitative structure - formed of water will last at least 15 years. However, the clear leader in the field of waterproofing materials for artificial ponds is Butyl rubber - has a high resistance to sunlight, high and low temperatures, not prone to cracking. Among other materials butyl rubber has only one drawback - it is not cheap, but its service life exceeding 50 years. If it is a complete reliability and durability, then there is only one material - concrete. In contrast to the pond basins formed film or cast material on the bottom of a concrete pond can walk without fear - is the bottom of the damage difficult. However, with the concrete more difficult to operate, require full compliance technologies (welding fittings, production casing), a double sealing (on both sides of the concrete casting, both outside and inside) - for the protection of groundwater, ie, cost of such works will be the highest. You can apply a concrete special stamps are not exposed to water, but it will cost even more expensive and its use will require the precision casting technology.

The main characteristics of the materials for the manufacture of artificial ponds

The main advantages of membrane waterproofing at izotovlenii artificial lakes and ponds: the ability to build the necessary forms to change the bowl-shaped basin in the future, ease of repair (if the film breaks). There is also a disadvantage: in winter the water from the reservoir will empty, if it freezes and expands, it inevitably will tear film. The advantages of concrete: high reliability, independence from external climatic factors (in accordance with technology of concreting), resistance to physical shock (dropping a stone, rodents, etc.). Cons: high labor intensity, extremely complicated modifications. As a rule, the creation of artificial ponds made of concrete not popular, because the film is much easier to use. But if the device is planned bridges over the pond and sculptural compositions on its shores, the best choice would be concrete.