[compost]

Having had a pond with a butyl liner spring a leak somewhere, I am now considering a preformed pond liner.
I'm after one about 2 x 3 metres. I cant really afford the best type, a glass fibre one, as they are about £600 -700+.
Anyone with any advice re polythene types such as Lotus / Blagdons, they are guaranteed for 20 years plus apparently.

[WG.]

No direct experience with the polythene or the preformed ones, sorry.  Surprised you had problems with butyl one though - normally plenty of sand under and over it avoids problems.

Welcome to the site btw.  

[muntjac]

try freecycle first .i got one for nowt on there .3mtres by 1.5   werks for me

[new_2_veg]

butyl liners used right are the best you will ever get

[shaun]

well said nathan,
the thing with pre-formed ones is they are just not deep enough,
compost have you got trees near the pond and what plants have you got in the pond or next to it ?

[compost]

My neighbour has a mature bramley apple tree the other side of the fence, about 10 feet away.  The pond was constructed last year. This morning I'm attacking it and going to rip out the old liner.
My wife wants the pond reshaped and deepened so it looks like I'll resort to a butyl liner again. I'll be using plenty of sand and old carpet to line the hole though. BTW thats what happens when you pay someone to do the job and leave them to it!
Thank for your input
I just wish it was warmer  

ps WG what's with the sand 'over it' I've never heard that done before?

[WG.]

WG what's with the sand 'over it' I've never heard that done before?

If you ever need to wade into the pond to clear out leaves / debris then some sand in the bottom is a good insurance against damage.

[compost]

Found the hole about 1/4" !!! Must have been caused by a bit of slate that one of the plant baskets were standing on eventually working its way through.
Butyl liner here I come, and a lot more care in the future.

Thanks everyone for your input.

[WG.]

Must have been caused by a bit of slate that one of the plant baskets were standing on

There ya go ... another reason to add some sand on top!    

[compost]

Yep... whats more is that I dug out the receipts and things and found that the liner is PVC!  I'll cough up the extra and go for a 0.75mm Butyl which is a synthetic rubber, although Firestone do a rubber liner at 1.0mm thick at about the same price.
Decisions decisions

[new_2_veg]

pvc was the worse ever thing they could of branded as a pond liner

im quite new to growing veg but what i have do know about is fish ponds, ive had them for over 10 years and you learn quickly when you first start out

i have only ever used butyl and its all i will ever use

[B]see my pond[/B][/i]
http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?p=95926&highlight=#95926

(photo only shows the temp filter system)