Learning How to Build a Cement Fish Pond
Learning how to build a cement fish pond is only useful and elegant for up to a length of five meters in diameter. Any length larger than this will pose a problem in the future for cleaning and maintenance. The floor and sides of the pond should have been molded with a thin concrete shell that is lightly reinforced to ensure that no problems will pose into the depth of the shell. The surrounding soil should have a support shell under it as this will prevent uproot and uneven distribution about the majority of the cement barrier.
The periphery of the pond needs to be sloped away from the cement shell as this will prove to be very valuable in the life of the pond. It will prevent added pressure and weight from being unevenly distributed upon the cement and decrease the possibility of cracks and tears in the shell. By adding a horizontal rim around the periphery of the pond will prove to add strength reinforcement to prevent caving in from the surrounding soil.
Be sure to deepen the pool enough to support wildlife such as fish. A depth of 450-700 mm should be enough for small fresh-water fish. When doing the prior excavating to lay cement, be sure to dig a lining at least 15 mm deep to provide a molding that will be suitable to mold the cement into a secure fashion. It is suggested to use a ratio of 1:6 parts of cement to sand mixture.
The Idea behind Learning How to Build a Cement Fish Pond
The first material that is needed when learning how to build a cement fish pond is spacer blocks. The recommended amount of material that you will need is 16 blocks. The ratio in constructing these blocks is 1:1 mixture of cement to sand. You will then need a 75 mm nail. Now pour the blocks into a 15x30x30 block formation and lay the 1b blocks approximately 250 mm apart from each other.
The next piece of equipment you will need is to lay two layers of galvanized chicken mesh with approximately 25 mm openings to accommodate for the layer of cement that was layered previously. Twist the wires at right angles from each other and fix them together with 4 mm thick hooks. This will provide the padding for the pond.
Placing and Curing the Concrete when Learning How to Build a Cement Fish Pond
The steps involved in placing and curing the concrete are not very tedious but do require some knowledge of laying concrete. First place the entire shell continuously, not just in sections. Remove any foreign objects laying within the confines of the vicinity of the shell prior to laying any concrete. Use a trowel to round off the corners of the periphery of the shell as this will provide a nice, round shell when the project is finished.
Press the concrete to mold the shape and remove the hooks as you complete this process as they will not be of use in the aftermath. Use a wood float for the concrete to provide a rough texture or steel trowel for smooth texture. Cover the pool with plastic sheets after this completion to allow the concrete to cure. Allow up to two days before filling your concrete fish pond with water for best results. If you are successful, you can now teach others how to build a cement fish pond.
