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Safe pond liner

I want to make my own planter box's out of 2x10 with plywood as my bottom and use a pond liner to cover the inside of the planter .

Are PVC pond liners safe to use or is there a better choice?

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Permalink Reply by Rob Torcellini on January 20, 2012 at 3:19pm

I use EDPM pond liners in my beds.

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on January 20, 2012 at 7:05pm

I've used EPDM liners and they would be my recommendation against any sharper rock like crushed granite or blue metal as they call it in OZ.

For the lighter weight medias or smooth river rock, I would be willing to try out Durascrim as the liner.

However, I no longer recommend lumber and liner grow beds. I've replaced all my old lumer/liner grow beds since termite/carpenter ant damage had them all leaking. Problem is the moist area between the liner and the lumber is a very attractive place for bugs to nest. Even if there are no leaks or rain, the liner will collect condensation on the outside when the beds flood with cool water and that condensation will tend to make the space moist and attractive to termites especially. I am in very termite prone territory.

I now make my liner beds using metal for support.

Permalink Reply by rick kennerly on January 21, 2012 at 7:10am

folks over at Friendly Aquaponics recommend BuyPlasticNow.com - String-Reinforced Plastic | Raven Industries – Buy Plastic Now http://bit.ly/wqaeHW

I'm starting my system with fish-safe 45 mil EPDM, it's all over the internet. But would be interested in trying the Raven products, since it's lighter and cheaper.

There are fish safe pvc, but it needs to say so. The problem is the plasticizers and softeners used in many PVCs. Once they out-gas they may be okay, but some even have anti-algae agents and such mixed into the plastic.

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on January 21, 2012 at 5:31pm

The EPDM is good in my book for anything that requires strong liner to stand up to rough rock or where ever fancy folding will be required.

The Durascrim that Friendly recommends is great for troughs that are nice and rectangular but don't expect to fold that plastic into any round tank or ornamental pond shape. You can fold package corners with it but even that takes some practices to get pretty. It comes in the 6' wide roll so is perfect for the 4' wide troughs and is nice because it is white.

Permalink Reply by john tramell on January 21, 2012 at 8:59pm

tc what type metal are you useing for your grow bed

TCLynx said:

I've used EPDM liners and they would be my recommendation against any sharper rock like crushed granite or blue metal as they call it in OZ.

For the lighter weight medias or smooth river rock, I would be willing to try out Durascrim as the liner.

However, I no longer recommend lumber and liner grow beds. I've replaced all my old lumer/liner grow beds since termite/carpenter ant damage had them all leaking. Problem is the moist area between the liner and the lumber is a very attractive place for bugs to nest. Even if there are no leaks or rain, the liner will collect condensation on the outside when the beds flood with cool water and that condensation will tend to make the space moist and attractive to termites especially. I am in very termite prone territory.

I now make my liner beds using metal for support.

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on January 22, 2012 at 5:05am

1 3/8 structural tubing (of fence top rails) and the clamps that go with them and for the beds up off the round I might use a section of cattle panel under the liner to give it some support. It's working for me with durascrim and some light weight aggregate. I've also got a small EPDM one in testing over on the duck system but that one is on the ground with the metal just supporting the top edge using snap clamps.