Preformed Pond Liner

[J.R.]

Hey everyone, I’m hoping for a little guidance from anybody who uses preformed pond liners for their pond. After about a year of hand bailing water daily out of a baby pool I decided to look for something less labor intensive yet larger for my two Rouens. To that end I bought a 145 gallon preformed pond liner that I’ll partially bury in the ground. Right now my plan is to install a shower drain in the bottom that runs via a short section to a ball valve which in turn will lead to a section that drains to the field behind my pen. Has anyone ever tried a setup like this? And, if so, how did it work out? My biggest fear is doing all the work only to develop a leak a month later!

 

[littlecollier]

Oh! Watching this thread as we inheirated a pond liner from a friend ... We are trying to figure out the best way to set up, too!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Hey everyone, I’m hoping for a little guidance from anybody who uses preformed pond liners for their pond. After about a year of hand bailing water daily out of a baby pool I decided to look for something less labor intensive yet larger for my two Rouens. To that end I bought a 145 gallon preformed pond liner that I’ll partially bury in the ground. Right now my plan is to install a shower drain in the bottom that runs via a short section to a ball valve which in turn will lead to a section that drains to the field behind my pen. Has anyone ever tried a setup like this? And, if so, how did it work out? My biggest fear is doing all the work only to develop a leak a month later!

Hello!
We have a similar set up. Ours is a stock tank that we installed a sink drain in the bottom attached to a ball valve like you are saying.
Does it work. . yes.
Does it occasionally get clogged up. . yes.
I have had good luck un clogging it so far with a length of hose back washing it and sort of plunging it out.
Ours is almost ground level. . and the ducks throw little rocks in there all day for fun. Who would've thunk it! Plus I use pine shavings and they blow across the run and get in there. So leaving some of it above ground and making a ramp up to it might cut down on stuff getting in there that will clog it up. I would for sure use a sink drain instead of a shower drain if I were you.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

here you can see the tank and the old cooler we buried to encase the ball valve. I think mine is just a 60 gallon tank. It gets nasty really fast. It's amazing how much mud and muck they put in there! Even with the river rock surrounding it.

 

[J.R.]

What a fantastic setup! I love the cooler idea!! I’m hoping that I can build the earth up around the liner in a gentle slope and then get a deep enough layer of river rock to at least keep the muck minimal.... but then again...they are ducks so it’ll probably be a losing battle!! The pipe I’m using to drain it out is 3” so I hope my only clogging issue will be the grate on the shower drain itself. Their lovable filthyness is why I went with the size I did in the hope that I can get away with a complete water change and cleaning once a week instead of daily!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

What a fantastic setup! I love the cooler idea!! I’m hoping that I can build the earth up around the liner in a gentle slope and then get a deep enough layer of river rock to at least keep the muck minimal.... but then again...they are ducks so it’ll probably be a losing battle!! The pipe I’m using to drain it out is 3” so I hope my only clogging issue will be the grate on the shower drain itself. Their lovable filthyness is why I went with the size I did in the hope that I can get away with a complete water change and cleaning once a week instead of daily!

Well we didn't seal around the pipes good enough inside the cooler so water leaks in but other than that it has worked out well.
I guess I was thinking a shower drain would be smaller than a sink drain. . my tub is old and has a tiny drain
So yes. . go with whatever is the biggest!

 

[J.R.]

Thanks for the pics and info! I’ll try to post some pictures of my own once it cools down enough to dig a hole without the threat of heat stroke!!