Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
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What should I put on my pond floor?
Putting any material on the bottom of the pond helps give it a natural look, but it also complicates maintenance over the years.
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Can I put a new pond liner over an old one?
It’s best to remove old and damaged liners before adding new layers, but it is possible in some cases to just place down a new liner over the old one.
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Should I put rocks in the bottom of my pond?
There are many types of rocks you can use to anchor a pond liner and disguise its appearance.
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Can you put tap water in a wildlife pond?
Tap water is acceptable for topping up a low pond but it’s not ideal for filling the whole thing.
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What are the best pond liners?
You’ll find EPDM widely used in the pond industry, but reinforced polyethylene (RPE) is a far better choice for both backyard and commercial projects.
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Should I put stones in the bottom of my pond?
Stones are a popular material for lining backyard ponds with a few disadvantages.
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How often should pond water circulate?
The standard for pond circulation is a complete exchange of the pond’s volume once per hour.
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Can goldfish survive in a pond without a pump?
Goldfish require more oxygen dissolved into the water than plants alone can provide, even in a small pond.
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How can I make a small pond naturally?
For a natural pond with minimal work, the easiest method is to find a sloping area that already drains a lot of water and block it off with a small earthen dam.
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How do you aerate a pond naturally?
In nature, ponds are aerated by creeks, springs, and streams that flow into them.
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How do I build a small pond without a liner?
If you truly want to install no pond liners at all, you’ll need to pick a spot on your property that features natural clay soil deposits.
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How do I keep my pond water clean and clear?
Everyone’s got a secret for clear pond water, but some methods are more proven and reliable than others.
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Can I use black plastic as a pond liner?
Black plastic is a generic term for many different types of flexible materials, so check the actual composition of a product before using it in a pond.
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How far should a pond be from a house?
The specific distance you’ll need to keep between your house and any waterworks like a pond depends on local regulations and building codes.
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How do I cover the edges of my pond liner?
There are many ways to cover and hide the edge of the pond liner where it overlaps the ground.
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How do you install a flexible pond liner?
Installing a flexible liner is easier than you think because the material easily spreads to cover the ground by hand.
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Can I use a tarp as a pond liner?
When trying to build a pond in your backyard on a budget, you may be tempted to use common materials like a tarp.
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What is pond underlayment made of?
The material known as underlayment is a geotextile that is thicker than a flexible pond liner.
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Do I need underlayment for pond liner?
Underlayment isn’t required for most pond liner installations, but it is a good idea to protect the material from damage.
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Should I put sand in my pond?
Sand is just one of many materials to cover the bottom of a pond with, and it has its own benefits and issues.
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What is pond underlayment?
Pond underlayment is a material designed to go underneath a flexible pond liner and protect it from ripping and tearing.
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How do you install a pond underlayment?
Pond underlayment isn’t any harder to install than any other flexible liner material.
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