Pond from sleepers

[Dazzyj85]

Hey all, I’ve done a few ponds in the past such as preformed ponds and raised ponds made from stone but I want to make one out of railway sleeepers now 2.4m x 1.6m x 0.6m but I’m unsure if I should use softwood sleepers or hardwood sleepers. Anyone done one from softwood before and is it strong enough to hold the weight of the water. Thanks in advance

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum!

Here is a link to a bunch of threads on railroad sleepers. I have never used them so can't help.

Search results for query: sleepers

www.gardenpondforum.com

 

[j.w]

@Dazzyj85
No clue but just wanted to say hi

 

[JRS]

Welcome!

 

[Dazzyj85]

View attachment 128986@Dazzyj85
No clue but just wanted to say hi

Hello

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Jhn]

Won’t really matter if the wood is hard or soft, the size Of the lumber/timber matters more, as long as it is built correctly it will hold the weight of water back. Here in the u.s., railroad ties/ railway sleepers are made of pine(softwood), but are treated with creosote(oil based treatment), stuff lasts a loooong time with that treatment. I have built raised ponds out of CCA treated pine 6x6’s, and those have never budged much less failed.

In my younger days, I had to work with new creosote treated lumber...hate that stuff, if you got it on your skin on a hot summer day..... Yiiikes, Would feel like your skin is literally on fire, don’t even like looking at the stuff gives me a twitchy eye...but I digress.

 

[Dazzyj85]

Won’t really matter if the wood is hard or soft, the size Of the lumber/timber matters more, as long as it is built correctly it will hold the weight of water back. Here in the u.s., railroad ties/ railway sleepers are made of pine(softwood), but are treated with creosote(oil based treatment), stuff lasts a loooong time with that treatment. I have built raised ponds out of CCA treated pine 6x6’s, and those have never budged much less failed.

In my younger days, I had to work with new creosote treated lumber...hate that stuff, if you got it on your skin on a hot summer day..... Yiiikes, Would feel like your skin is literally on fire, don’t even like looking at the stuff gives me a twitchy eye...but I digress.
[/QUOTE
The sleepers I’ve got are 8 x 4’s and treated with tanatone 3950. Thanks for the feedback, really appreciate guys

 

[sissy]

welcome and a lot of soft woods are called that for a reason .Now most treated wood is done with a salt type mixture in most places .You should ask where you want to buy the wood about ground contact also .Wood here says non contact or ground contact .Your best source of info is the place you buy your wood