[Clarky86]

Evening all.

I have 2 fantastic ponds that are teaming with wildlife. Both were put in by previous owners so have very little idea what is in there.

One has no fish in and the biggest has at least 2 decent sized mirror carp I think and a good handful of what look like black carp...

Both ponds have got alot of sludge in them from debris decomposition and the water is very dark, cannot see much more than a few centimetres deep.

I am looking to dig a new pond in a better location in the garden, one that has 2 sections again so similar to what I have now.

My question is what is best for a wildlife pond? Liners are more likely to deteriorate over time I but preformed ones are probably better to clean I guess but then do I want to clean a wildlife pond?

I'm a total novice to ponds but i really want my ponds I have now but in a different location away from the house ( currently about a meter away from conservatory and the amount of flies we have in during the summer )
I will over lap the installation of my new pond and removal of the old so that wildlife can acclimatise itself to it and for it to settle.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks

[RubyRed]

We also have 2 large wildlife ponds using butyl liner. Any water in the garden is better than none. The more expensive liner can last for 25 years and is easier to get the lovely gently sloping shallow banks needed for any wildlife to haul itself out. Also turf can be laid right up to the edge even dropping in the water itself with liner. Just push a garden fork through then lay the turf. The roots will find their way through the liner into the soil. It's not a good idea to have fish in a wildlife pond as they eat tadpoles and spawn and even baby newts. Lots of stones and rocks will provide shelter and basking places. Good luck I love my ponds. Don't clean the old ones out till Oct Nov time as creatures are stirring now and toxic fumes from the gun he will affect them. One more thing, when you have made new ponds empty a couple of buckets of the gunk into them. It contains tiny creatures and goodness to start them off.