Potential Chems in Pond from Pressure Treated Wood

[Mitchamitri]

Hi,

Building a new pond to replace my little goldfish pond. It's concrete block work and will be epdm lined.

My question is - for the top I would like to use something like sleepers or finished timber. These are generally pressure treated - does this cause any potential with chemical wash off from the rain etc into the pond? Is it a risk to the health of the pond? Volume is about 8000ltrs.

Thanks

 

[Lisak1]

It would concern me.

 

[GBBUDD]

Hi,

Building a new pond to replace my little goldfish pond. It's concrete block work and will be epdm lined.

My question is - for the top I would like to use something like sleepers or finished timber. These are generally pressure treated - does this cause any potential with chemical wash off from the rain etc into the pond? Is it a risk to the health of the pond? Volume is about 8000ltrs.

Thanks

Please do not use pressure treated. Yes it does leach chemicals for 6 months or more. That's why they tell you not to stain pt for 6 months. But for a even bigger reason is pt is not a finish material. It splinters checks cups and warps. A little know substitution that far out competes pt it last longer stays looking so much better is mahogany. Now if your wanting to buy 2x10 mahogany the cost difference will go up on the mahogany but 5/4 x 6 is very comparable. Take my word for it. After 45 years of construction you won't be sorry. And if you want even better look at epi .. no that's not a typo you won't find it at The box stores you'll need to go to a dare I say it a lumber yard.

 

[j.w]

@Mitchamitri
Not sure what type @callingcolleen1 used for her above ground ponds? They have lasted forever tho and don't think any issues. She lives in Canada.

 

[callingcolleen1]

View attachment 168772@Mitchamitri
Not sure what type @callingcolleen1 used for her above ground ponds? They have lasted forever tho and don't think any issues. She lives in Canada.

They might be pressure treated but the "cap wood" above the liner is untreated.

 

[GBBUDD]

Anyone who has a preassure treated deck can tell you. The wood splits cracks splinters. And does not look so hot within 5 years. It can last much longer but it doesn't get better. Mahogany or epi are by far the way to go . You will never see r find pt at a quality marina.

 

[j.w]

They might be pressure treated but the "cap wood" above the liner is untreated.

How are the ones over at your 1st ponds holding up? They always looked good to me after all those many years you have had them.

 

[callingcolleen1]

Anyone who has a preassure treated deck can tell you. The wood splits cracks splinters. And does not look so hot within 5 years. It can last much longer but it doesn't get better. Mahogany or epi are by far the way to go . You will never see r find pt at a quality marina.

It was cheaper and so I used the pressure treatment

 

[callingcolleen1]

How are the ones over at your 1st ponds holding up? They always looked good to me after all those many years you have had them.

They are all strong and I can stand or sit on them. They seem fine even my old ones back at old house that are like 20 years old still doing good!

 

[GBBUDD]

Not saying pt doesn't have it place God knows I've installed more pt the the average person will see in 3 life times. All im saying is it is not a finish material it checks splits feathers and splinters way more than any other common material. If you had a mahogany , epi and pt bench not one person would chose the old pt bench.

 

[j.w]

They are all strong and I can stand or sit on them. They seem fine even my old ones back at old house that are like 20 years old still doing good!

I like the rustic look they give!

 

[GBBUDD]

Nothing is more rustic than around here
My garage is board and batten cedar my privacy fence i just built is made from 100 year old 4x6 fir. My rails and posts are eastern white cedar not processed it's all live edge all the way around. Beehive fire place converted to gas. And my hutch is a old ice box from early 1800 from. A Dr's house. A mosnter for the times.

And a 450 million old shell fossil behind the stove...... I loveeeeee old. It's just doesn't look so good on me....

 

[j.w]

Nothing is more rustic than around here
My garage is board and batten cedar my privacy fence i just built is made from 100 year old 4x6 fir. My rails and posts are eastern white cedar not processed it's all live edge all the way around. Beehive fire place converted to gas. And my hutch is a old ice box from early 1800 from. A Dr's house. A mosnter for the times. View attachment 168865View attachment 168866View attachment 168867And a 450 million old shell fossil behind the stove...... I loveeeeee old. It's just doesn't look so good on me....

Old things re-purposed for our usage look so much better than Ikea!
Lovely stuff there @GBBUDD