Mortar around my waterfall

[XxRICKYxX]

Hi,

quick question, I have built myself a waterfall for my pond (will try and add a photo). I have a liner behind the rocks but wanted to direct the flow of water down the waterfall so fill all the gaps using mortar.

question: do I need to seal the mortar off with a pond sealer product or will it be ok to leave as it is? I don’t want to harm my fish and someone told me the mortar or lime in the mortar would be bad for the fish?

I have done some searching but most threads are based on full mortar or concreate waterfalls, mine is just mortar between the rocks to seal the gaps.

please can someone help?

many thanks
Ricky

 

[XxRICKYxX]

Hope this works

 

[addy1]

I have read that some ponds have the rocks in the bottom mortared together without issue. I have never done it myself, others will chime in.

I would think you should be ok, just keep a watch on the ph of the pond water.

 

[XxRICKYxX]

I have read that some ponds have the rocks in the bottom mortared together without issue. I have never done it myself, others will chime in.

I would think you should be ok, just keep a watch on the ph of the pond water.

thanks, still not sure lol. Pond sealer over the mortar joints or leave as it is now the mortar is dry just let it run without sealer? Think might be safest bet to get some and do it just to be safe. Thanks mate for the response anyway

 

[TheFishGuy]

because of the size of your pond and the minimal amount of mortar, I would think it would not cause much of an issue. But as you said, still better to be safe, so if you can find some clear sealant that would be good

 

[Lisak1]

Had you asked earlier, the answer would have been to skip the mortar and use waterfall foam. But since you're asking us at this point, then I would probably agree with you - if you can seal it, I would do it. It might help the mortar to last longer, too. I think the common wisdom is the concrete will affect the pH of the pond but only for a short period of time.

Examining your waterfall I would suggest that you may need waterfall foam anyway - imagine water taking the path of least resistance. I think you're going to lose some flow along the edges, mainly along the top. Obviously you have liner that will direct the water back in the pond, but you will lose the full effect of your waterfall. Just a thought!