Fibreglassing a koi pond.

A Guide to Modern Koi Pond Construction

Fibreglassing your pond

Having decided to have your pond waterproofed using fibreglass you have to decide whether to do it yourself or leave it to a professional. With all the pitfalls involved and the high cost of buying the materials to do it yourself you are well advised to leave it to a company that is experienced in koi ponds. This last point is very important as boat building and car bodies are very different as regards the gel coats etc as otherwise they will be toxic to the fish.
Make sure the company has previously done this work with koi ponds, and check out their work with previous pond owners.

[Marking out pond]
The first stage of fibreglassing is to mix the resin and the hardener, and this ratio will vary depending on temperature. This mix starts to harden immeadiately albeit slowly so only enough is mixed for about 30 minutes work.

[Digging out pond]
The mixed resin is applied to the concrete wall using a lambswool roller. This ensures coverage is sufficient for the application of the fibreglass matting which is cut to length prior to hanging on the wall, additional resin is applied until the whole of the matting is soaked in resin. Subsequent matting is then applied ensuring a one inch overlap.

[Digging out pond]
Working a methodical way around the pond applying pre-cut strips of matting to both the walls and the floor avoids having to stand on drying resin.

The fibreglass was actually taken right down inside the 4 ins pipework. This ensured that there were smooth surfaces that would not inhibit the drains operation.

[A skip] When the whole of the pond is fibreglassed it is a matter of leaving the latest application to become tacky before applying the final stage which is the "flow coat". This is a gel which has had wax added at the time of manufacture. Again, the flow coat is applied using a lambswool roller, and this coat leaves a smooth glossy finish which after 1 - 2 days should be fingertip checked for any protruding splinters which should be sand papered smooth.

After another day or so the pond can be filled, checked for leaks, and emptied preferably two or three times before introducing your koi to th pond.

Check out Fibreglass and Fibromix in Questions & Answers.

We can now look at the pond edging.

This page updated January 2004

This website started with a booklet which I made up originally for the help of those members of the BKKS - South Wales Section who were intending to start building a koi pond, and as the website has expanded more information and articles from other people have been included. This is for general guidance only, and we do not take any responsibility for problems that might occur by following these ideas. It is important that you check out everything in your area, and check on local laws and rules that may apply.

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Website Copyright © 1999-2009 Koi Cymru


A Guide to Modern Koi Pond Construction Fibreglassing your pond
Having decided to have your pond waterproofed using fibreglass you have to decide whether to do it yourself or leave it to a professional. With all the pitfalls involved and the high cost of buying the materials to do it yourself you are well advised to leave it to a company that is experienced in koi ponds. This last point is very important as boat building and car bodies are very different as regards the gel coats etc as otherwise they will be toxic to the fish. Make sure the company has previously done this work with koi ponds, and check out their work with previous pond owners.
	The first stage of fibreglassing is to mix the resin and the hardener, and this ratio will vary depending on temperature. This mix starts to harden immeadiately albeit slowly so only enough is mixed for about 30 minutes work.
	The mixed resin is applied to the concrete wall using a lambswool roller. This ensures coverage is sufficient for the application of the fibreglass matting which is cut to length prior to hanging on the wall, additional resin is applied until the whole of the matting is soaked in resin. Subsequent matting is then applied ensuring a one inch overlap.
	Working a methodical way around the pond applying pre-cut strips of matting to both the walls and the floor avoids having to stand on drying resin. The fibreglass was actually taken right down inside the 4 ins pipework. This ensured that there were smooth surfaces that would not inhibit the drains operation.
	When the whole of the pond is fibreglassed it is a matter of leaving the latest application to become tacky before applying the final stage which is the "flow coat". This is a gel which has had wax added at the time of manufacture. Again, the flow coat is applied using a lambswool roller, and this coat leaves a smooth glossy finish which after 1 - 2 days should be fingertip checked for any protruding splinters which should be sand papered smooth.
After another day or so the pond can be filled, checked for leaks, and emptied preferably two or three times before introducing your koi to th pond.

Check out Fibreglass and Fibromix in Questions & Answers. We can now look at the pond edging.

This page updated January 2004
This website started with a booklet which I made up originally for the help of those members of the BKKS - South Wales Section who were intending to start building a koi pond, and as the website has expanded more information and articles from other people have been included. This is for general guidance only, and we do not take any responsibility for problems that might occur by following these ideas. It is important that you check out everything in your area, and check on local laws and rules that may apply.
Home - Pond descriptions - Pond heating - Pond construction - Koi health - Projects - Products - Photos from Japan - South Wales section - Letters - Links - Guest-book - Statistics - New - Forum
Website Copyright © 1999-2009 Koi Cymru