Can you recommend a good online shop to buy an RPE liner?

[WhiteNoise]

I will use an RPE 30mil liner on my new pond build and have been looking at different brands and online stores. Before I spend my cash, does anyone recommend a good online shop to buy from? I just want to make sure I buy quality this time around.

 

[GBBUDD]

What has swayed you to go with rpe? price? Availability? durable? weight? unknown?

 

[addy1]

I used Oregon bend tarp and liner for my past 3 ponds.

BTL Liners - Geomembrane Liners, Covers and Tarps

BTL is the Worldwide Leader in providing Pond Liners, Covers & Tarps across the globe. We strive to help you with whatever size and scale your pond liner project is.

www.btlliners.com

 

[WhiteNoise]

Sorry for the delay, I was away on a business trip. @GBBUDD RPE mainly due to the strength and longevity. From what I've read, it can last much longer than EPDM. Other than weight, I feel that EPDM is easier to work with. Folds much easier and such but RPE is stronger. Price isn't too much of an issue either way. Trying to keep the cost under $800-$900 if possible. Now that I'm in my 50's, I'd like a liner that might last me 20 years or more. RPE can do that I've read.

That all said, I have now decided to plaster my pond. Using wire and 2" thick plaster to do the entire pond, then an underlayment and liner. Now that I am going this route maybe EPDM would be best.

My main concern is this pond will be under direct sunlight often throughout the day, in Southern California which is a killer .

@addy1 That is one of the sites I was looking at. Its good to know that you have been happy with them.

 

[GBBUDD]

I'd like a liner that might last me 20 years or more. RPE can do that I've read.

EPDM WILL LAST 40 YEARS IN THE SUN...... BURRY IT UNDER UNDERLAYMENT AND SURROUNDED BY WATER TO KEEP IT MOIST AS DRYING OUT IS IT'S WEAKNESS. and you should beat that hands down. my only issue with rpe is is has literally a million seams from the weave and as one of our regs found out it can get abused in construction to where you get hundreds of micro leak but on the other side truckers use rpe. imo i would not go with PVC it bends easier but pvc is weak in the sun and not real durable as try jumping in someone's pool with a belt on. while others have built theirs with no issues.

 

[WhiteNoise]

@GBBUDD Wait a second here. Are you telling me to lay my liner in the pond and put the underlayment over it? Well shoot, I have never heard of that. Does it need to be a special kind of underlayment? That's brilliant. Can I buy any geotextile underlayment and use it on top?

Wow, I don't know why I never thought of this. It would have saved me a lot of issues with my other ponds. I have two small ponds, and I have had to replace the liner on each one twice. The larger of the two ponds I have has multiple micro leaks, and instead of fixing them, I'm currently building a much larger pond out back.

 

[GBBUDD]

I place an 8oz non woven geotextile under the liner but thats because i am in the north east with lots of rocks and roots. Then i like the idea of a second layer over the entire liner as a protective blanket as anyone who has worked with stone and gravel knows even the smoothest egg shape river rock can split to the sharpest edge you could imagine. sot there is two sides to this car one your protected from the rocks. But now you have more to retain waste. An other option is scraps of liner. it comes down to what you are most concerned with and what final product your looking for. i spent almost the same amount in underlayment as i did in liner

i should also add you are going to place rock in the pond. The underlayment will float unfortunately

 

[WhiteNoise]

I am placing rocks in the pond. The entire bottom will have river rock.

The bottom line is that I want this liner to last the rest of my life, if possible. This area of my property doesn't have much shade. So I know the UV is going to be what kills the liner. I am now planning on doing an overlayment for sure. I'm still on the fence when deciding on RPE or EPDM but you have given me something to think about.

 

[GBBUDD]

Food for thought as to gravel size 3/4 my fish love to pick these up and it's all ending up in the dep end, it is also a bit of a pain vacuuming as one can get sucked in and clog the vac. Peastone the fish don't seem to pick up and carry only root in it will never clog the vac hose but you can suck up the stone. and if you have a main drain can get it near that or it will get sucked into the pipes and up to the pump

 

[WhiteNoise]

Both my current ponds have river rock in them. Even years later, I still like how the stones look in the ponds. I have never noticed my koi moving the rocks around, but it shouldn't be a problem. I don't like bottom drains, I won't install one in the new pond either. My oldest pond at this house will be 9 years old this June. There is not even a tiny bit of sludge or anything on the bottom, and I have never used a vacuum or anything. I run a couple of DIY bog filters, and the ponds are always beautiful. Hardly any maintenance at all. But I have no leaves or anything to deal with. I do not have to deal with nature on the scale that you do. lol I'm in the city.

Everyone says a drain is the way to go, but I prefer the simplicity of not having one.