Concrete Pond Considerations

​When it comes to concrete pond construction, there are no short cuts. Improper practices can result in more money being spent on maintenance, repairs, and replacement than on the original building cost. Because good concrete pond construction means a pond that will last a lifetime or longer, follow these guidelines to get it right the first time!
 
Keep in mind that you'll need to pour the concrete to a thickness of four to six inches for a proper concrete pond. All soil (and rocks!) should be dug out after settling on the measurements and delineating the area. Then, coupled with the proper positioning of cut-to-fit reinforcement bars, forms must be made and installed where concrete will be poured (rebar).
 
Shovels, picks, a crowbar, and, of course, a wheelbarrow are required for digging up the area for concrete pond building. A carpenters level, string, stakes, sheets of plastic, and a long two-by-four are among the other goods required.
 
Unless the pond is exceptionally large, pouring the cement in concrete pond building should be done in portions, which should be done in one day. Pour the cement into the pool's bottom first, then the sides. If shelves have been excavated out, the next step is to pour cement there. Finally, pour cement for the pond's top as well as any coping that may be necessary.
 
After you've finished the first few steps of your concrete pond construction project, you'll need to let the cement cure under plastic for a few days. Muriatic acid treatment at this stage helps to prevent high pH levels in the water later on, which is good for fish and plants. Apply multiple layers of pool paint or masonry sealant after the acid treatment, allowing each coat to cure completely between coats.
 
Constructing a concrete pond can be a great learning experience. It's advisable to start with a smaller pond and work your way up to a larger endeavor if you're successful. However, if you've mastered the art of building concrete ponds, there's no telling where you may go from there. So go ahead and study, construct, and build some more!