What do use for the bottom of your pond?

[ReyvinWolf]

Has anyone here built their own pond? Do you know if I should put anything in as a base? Gravel, sand, nothing?

My first pond I put up last year was only about 40-50 gals. I put gravel in it. Now I am building a 1400gal pond (lucky koi) and wondering if I should still put gravel or something down as a base. Any plants will be in planters with substrate, plus there will be huge rocks and caverns for them to hide in away from predators ( if they get past my dogs). But a base?

 

[Fishanatic]

Has anyone here built their own pond? Do you know if I should put anything in as a base? Gravel, sand, nothing?

My first pond I put up last year was only about 40-50 gals. I put gravel in it. Now I am building a 1400gal pond (lucky koi) and wondering if I should still put gravel or something down as a base. Any plants will be in planters with substrate, plus there will be huge rocks and caverns for them to hide in away from predators ( if they get past my dogs). But a base?

I wouldn't suggest gravel. You would need enormous amounts of it, and if you're willing to clean it, that's gonna be a real pain in the a**!

 

[ReyvinWolf]

Was thinking river stones for gravel not " tank" gravel!! Should have clarified.

 

[Fishanatic]

Was thinking river stones for gravel not " tank" gravel!! Should have clarified.

That could work very well. What size river stones? 2,5"?

 

[ReyvinWolf]

Yeah. Maybe a mix of 3" to 2", smooth.