Pond Bottom: rocks or no rocks?

I vote No Rocks.

I do, however, have several large rocks to keep the bottom weighted
down.

Before I did so, a heavy rain would cause the liner to float up, then
when the rain quit the pond would be several inches low.

When cleaning the nasty sludge in the spring, gravel would make it
almost impossible.

my two cents worth, good luck.
Mike


On Tue, 02 Aug 2005 14:47:39 -0700, JGW wrote:

We're getting ready to build our new pond. The contractor wants to
line the walls and bottom with rocks, which he says will serve as a
great huge biofilter. I have read that it's impossible to keep the
pond clean with rocks on the bottom, and that they can trap hydrogen
sulfide gas.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

Joan
___________________


Mike Patterson
Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
"I always wanted to be somebody...I should have been more specific..." - Lily Tomlin

Mike Patterson wrote:

I vote No Rocks.

I do, however, have several large rocks to keep the bottom weighted
down.

Before I did so, a heavy rain would cause the liner to float up, then
when the rain quit the pond would be several inches low.

When cleaning the nasty sludge in the spring, gravel would make it
almost impossible.

While I also vote "no rocks", I think there might be something to the idea
that there's a difference between rocks and gravel. Gravel would be worse.
--
derek

I have had a pond lined with river cobble on the sides and pebbles on
the bottom running for 4 years now. It looks very natural and is well
planted with lilies and various marginal plants. THe fish do well the
water has never been green and I have checked the bottom next to the
liner and there is zero accumulated deposits. I do have a strong
water flow giving good cirulation. I am happy with it. I like the
natural appearance. One point though - we paid more for very
attractively coloured river rock. A waste of money - after some months
the rocks grow a nice covering of beneficial algae so dont spend money
on fancy rocks.

Others like their rockless ponds just as much I am sure.

Greg.
JGW wrote:
We're getting ready to build our new pond. The contractor wants to
line the walls and bottom with rocks, which he says will serve as a
great huge biofilter. I have read that it's impossible to keep the
pond clean with rocks on the bottom, and that they can trap hydrogen
sulfide gas.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

Joan
___________________

I was looking at the extended discussion of rocks-or-no-rocks. It is
amazing for its length and its civility on an issue with such diversity.

Good show, pond friends.

Jim

JGW wrote:
We're getting ready to build our new pond. The contractor wants to
line the walls and bottom with rocks, which he says will serve as a
great huge biofilter. I have read that it's impossible to keep the
pond clean with rocks on the bottom, and that they can trap hydrogen
sulfide gas.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

Joan
___________________