Q&A for How to Build a Concrete Pond

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Question

Can I build a concrete pond by myself?

Scott Johnson
Landscape & Design Consultant
Scott Johnson is the Owner and Lead Design Consultant for Concrete Creations, Inc., an award-winning landscape and design company based in the San Diego, California metro area. He has over 30 years of experience in the pool and landscape construction industry and specializes in large estate outdoor environment construction projects. His work has been featured in San Diego Home & Garden Magazine and on Pool Kings TV Show. He earned a BS degree in Construction Management with an emphasis in Architecture and CAD design from Northern Arizona University.

Scott Johnson

Landscape & Design Consultant

Expert Answer

It depends on how experienced you are with this type of work. If you have rocky soil, the excavation part of this process is going to be pretty tough. You may need to use a jackhammer to get all of the soil up. In most cases, you're probably going to need to hire a crew to do this for you.

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Question

How do I fill the pond?

Community Answer

With a hose. Connect the hose to the pipe, then drag the hose to the pond. Turn the hose on.

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Question

Does the pond need to be painted with a sealer to ensure there are no cracks that can cause leaking?

Patrick

Community Answer

This would be a better solution. Make sure that the sealer does not contain any chemicals, however. This could disrupt the organisms living in the pond.

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Question

How long should I let the concrete dry before adding fish to the pond?

Community Answer

Wait at least two full days, or however long the package says it takes the concrete to dry completely.

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Question

Can I put catfish in the concrete pond, or do I need to put mud in the pond?

Community Answer

Yes, you need to add mud, because catfish live in rivers with mud.

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Question

Can I put concrete over a rubber liner when building a concrete pond?

Community Answer

Yes. And even do a layer of concrete, a rubber liner, then more concrete.

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Question

How do I cure a concrete pond?

Community Answer

3 months with water for large ponds. For small ponds, you can add vinegar or hydrochloric acid to cure as quickly as 1 - 3 weeks.

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Question

I want to build my pond in stages. Can I "feather" concrete to existing concrete?

Community Answer

You can do that. You don't have to use chicken wire as reinforcement, but if you have it, it would be good to do. It would make it last longer.

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Question

What are the processes involved in optimum fish production?

Community Answer

Talk to your local wildlife department about ways to simulate their natural environment, and buy live babies.

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Question

How do I do this in a place where there is rock?

Community Answer

Use a shovel and pry out the rocks from underneath. If the rocks are too big or may break the shovel, try digging around the rocks to loosen up the rocks from the soil.

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Question

What can I do or use to dilute cement prior to pouring it?

Gavin Donnelly

Community Answer

You can add more water to dilute it. Make sure that it is not too diluted for the sides of the pond or it will run down and not stick.

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Question

Hi, what is the ratio of the mix, sand, cement and stone( if needed) . Cheers

Gavin Donnelly

Community Answer

Hi, ready mix concrete has directions for mixing it on the bags. Adjust the ratio of water to mix if it is too runny or dry.

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Question

Do I have to add a drain to the bottom of my concrete pond?

Community Answer

It is not essential but it is good practice. If you don't add one, you cannot drain the pond with ease and it will make it far more work to clean and fish things out when you do need to drain it.

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Question

Can I put fish in the concrete pond safely?

Community Answer

Yes, you need to acclimate them first though. If you add pebbles and rocks, it will provide the fish with natural hiding spaces, which is good for them.

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Question

Can I use concrete and nothing else or will the pond leak? How do I fix a leak in a concrete pond?

Community Answer

You will have to use something to seal the pond. There are concrete options out there that have stuff added to it to make it waterproof. there is sealers too. Jet chem waterproofer cement can also be used to seal cracks and prevent damp.

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Question

How long should I wait for the paint to dry before putting my fish in?

Acaidia

Community Answer

Your paint/sealer will have an estimated dry/cure time printed on the can. Try waiting an extra 24 hours on top of whatever the manufacturer says the dry time is, since it is going to be fully submerged underwater and in contact with fish. Doing this can only help. After the paint/sealant is fully cured, fill it with water, drain it, and fill it again before adding fish to rinse out any potential harmful chemicals from the paint. If your pond is too big to fill and drains easily without wasting an exorbitant amount of water (or time) just take a hose and spray the walls of the pond down and drain that water out.

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Question

Do I need to add a drain to the bottom of a concrete pond when it's built?

Community Answer

If you do not install a drain, then you will need to purchase a siphon system. You would use the siphon (make sure you get the appropriate size) the for the same function as the drain. If you have small fish that could get caught in the siphon, then make sure that you remove them first. You place the siphon end in the pond at the bottom, and the drainage end into wherever you will be disposing of the soiled water. Then if it is a powered siphon, turn it on, if it is manual then get start squeezing the bulb. If it does not start to flow immediately (within1-2 minutes, then) get into the pond or have someone else get into the pond and adjust the angle of the siphon end, and then try again.

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