Category: Best Pond Supplies

In this article, we’ll be talking about the 5 best pond liners. However, firstly we’re going to talk a little about pond liners, the different types, materials and sizes that you might find, and which one is suitable for certain types of usage.

Either way, we’re sure that you’ll be confident knowing which pond liner is suitable for your specific needs after reading this article.

So, let’s begin!

What is a Pond Liner

Pond Liners are water-tight, impervious geomembranes which are used for the reservation and withholding of water in a public or garden pond. They are commonly used and placed over an underlayment, helping to prevent damage and keep the geomembrane in optimum condition.

Types of Pond Liners

There are several different types of pond liner, the most common include EPDM, RPE and PVC liners. All of these have unique advantages and disadvantages, and the ideal type for you can be determined by your applicational usage. So let’s talk about each of the benefits and flaws:

EPDM/Rubber Liner :

Advantage:

• Highly flexible, therefore suitable for very compact shaping, versatile for 90-degree angles.

Disadvantages:

• Slightly softer than RPE liner, and requires pond underlayment to be installed before placing. Although once pond underlayment is installed, this greatly compensates for the softer material density.

PVC Liner :

Advantage:

• Slightly stronger than EPDM liner, although this is not a general rule and may vary from brand to brand.

Disadvantages:

• Not as flexible as EPDM pond liner

RPE Liner :

Advantage:

• Doesn’t require pond underlayment
• Lightweight

Disadvantages:

• Not as flexible as EPDM
• Not as commonly used or found

Pond Liner Sizes

Pond Liners are made in a range of different sizes to help accommodate for different tastes/requirements for their garden pond creation. They usually begin around 5 x 5 feet, but can be found leading all the way up to 35 x 35 feet.

We’ve linked to all of the different sizes of pond liners that we’ve featured in this article, making the process quick and simple for those who know their liner size and dimension requirements.

Installation of Pond Liner

We’ve featured all of the necessary steps for you to take, to help ensure a successful liner installation; So let’s get to it!

1. Do some research (potentially call your local council surrounding permission and whether or not there are pipes or obstructions below your garden, that would prevent you installing a pond.
2. If everything is fine, get the appropriate equipment for your installation, this includes a rope, shovel, hose and a horizontal measuring leveller.
3. Pick a level location in your garden where you would like your pond to be. Bear in mind that a partially shaded location is more ideal, to help keep your fish cool and prevent the growth of algae within the pond; For more information on controlling pond algae, Check out our article on how to control algae in a pond.
4. Design your water-garden on a detailed plan, with ideas about the size, shape and depth; The depth can be variable, with certain parts being deeper than others, although bear in mind that this will dictate the required liner size. Also, keep in mind that most ponds have plant shelves that are 9-12 inches in size.
5. Begin digging your pond
6. Pond Liners are usually made from plastics/rubber, and therefore the main vulnerability for these liners is abrasion caused by sharp objects such as jagged-edged rocks and stones. Therefore it’s important to make sure that the area directly below where the liner will be placed is smooth and rid of any potential piercing objects,
7. Place a layer (2-3 inches) of sand over this area of ground will ensure that necessary steps have been made to reduce the risk of the liner being damaged. Alternatively, you can use pond underlayment material instead of sand.
8. Set the pond liner in the pond, and place some rounded rocks within the liner to keep it in place. If you’re adding a rock waterfall on the outside, you can add this now.
9. Begin filling the pond with water, and smooth out the pond liner if any major material wrinkles start to form.
10. Setup your pond pump, but do not plug in just yet (for solar pond pumps, place the UV panels out of direct sunlight for now), and either attach the outlet hose if you’re using it for your waterfall (Find best-selling Rock Waterfalls on Amazon), or attach the fountain head attachments which is usually included within the pump kit.
11. As the pond is filled, use decorative rocks to place along the outside of the liner, helping to secure it’s position further. Then trim the excess pond liner.
12. Plug in your pond pump to a GFCI-approved outdoor power outlet, or for solar pond pumps, place the UV panels in direct sunlight to begin the water flow and aeration.
13. Add fish and aquatic plants to the pond if you so desire.

Alternative to a Pond Liner

An ideal alternative to using pond liner is to use a preformed pond. Preformed ponds are great because they allow for a consistent look without you having to sculpture your own pond yourself; Ideal for the aspiring pond owner who wants minimal installational hassle.

Find a selection of Preformed Ponds on Amazon: (Amazon’s Best Selling Pre-formed Ponds)

How to protect my Pond Fish and plants?

Once you’ve placed your pond liner into the dug hole, and your water pump is working to oxygenate and aerate the water, you can then add your aquatic plants and fish.

However, there are many threats that pond fish can face, especially from predators lurking up above. Therefore consider this when designing the pond; Having a shallow pond will make easy prey of your fish for birds, and sloping sides will also make easy prey for the likes of cats and foxes.

A pond net should be used to place over your pond, allowing protection from predators

Find a selection of Preformed Ponds on Amazon: (Find best-selling pond nets on Amazon)

Top 5 Pond Liners of 2018

Below, we’ve featured the 5 best pond liners. We’ve segmented them primarily based on the material type, and then sub-categorised them based on our editor’s recommendation and pricing; Making the process of choosing your ideal pond liner as simple and straightforward as possible.

Best EPDM Pond Liners

Aquascape EPDM Pond Liner – From $85,99

All sizes are featured under the same Amazon listing, linked to above.

Pond Liner Sizes Available:  8 x 10 feet, 10 x 10 feet, 10 x 12 feet, 10 x 20 feet, 10 x 30 feet, 12 x 15 feet, 15 x 15 feet, 15 x 20 feet, 20 x 25 feet.

Based on the 4.5/5 star reviews of this pond liner alone, it’s a fantastic option. It comes in a huge range of sizes, is very easy to install, and the material is thick and highly flexible; All of this was taken from the comments, and they specifically tell you what sized pond liner the review is referring to.

Take a read of the reviews for yourself here: Aquascape Liner Amazon Reviews

Specification

Aquascape has a full range of high-quality EPDM pond liners, all of which are backed by an exceptional, industry leading 20-year manufacturers guarantee… So you know full-well before buying any of Aquascape’s liners, that they are backing up their promise of high quality.

The EPDM liners are naturally very flexible, but Aquascape’s liners are known for being especially reliable, easy to install and durable.

All of their liners and underlayment are 45 millimetres in thickness and are fish/plant safe. For these reasons, this pond liner has to be one of the best products on the market.

Firestone PondGuard EPDM Pond Liner – $52.99 – Editor’s EPDM Recommendation

All sizes are featured under separate Amazon listings, all are linked to directly below.

Pond Liner Sizes Available:  5 x 10 feet, 5 x 15 feet, 5 x 20 feet, 5 x 25 feet, 5 x 50 feet, 10 x 10 feet, 10 x 20 feet, 10 x 25 feet, 10 x 30 feet, 15 x 15 feet, 15 x 25 feet, 20 x 25 feet, 20 x 30 feet, 20 x 45 feet, 25 x 40 feet, 30 x 30 feet, 30 x 35 feet, 35 x 35 feet

Based on the 5/5 star average reviews of this pond liner, for most sizes, it’s clear that it wins joint-first for our Editor’s Recommendation. Again, the Firestone Pondguard liner comes in a huge range of sizes, and is very easy to install. The material is thick, very durable, and highly flexible; All of these descriptions have been taken from the comments.

Take a read of the reviews for yourself here: Firestone Liner Amazon Reviews

Specification

Firestone has the largest size range of pond liners that we have seen; Making it easy for you to find the perfect liner for your pond. It has a 20-year pond liner warranty and an estimated lifespan of 75-years.

Again, these EPDM liners are incredibly flexible, and the Firestone has been noted (in many of the Amazon reviews) to be incredibly strong and resilient… which is particularly important.

We recommend that you also purchase an underlayment, or put a layer of sand below this liner, to further prevent any damage.

Best PVC Pond Liners