[headlessblade]

Yes i want to build an indoor pond in my basement 8'x4'x4'... (i dont know if this will work or not)
I have been researching material/prices and the cheapest way to make it is as flows
2x sheet of Plywood 1/2"x4'x8' (cut in 4 pieces fits perfectly) @ $11.79/sheet = $23.58
9x 2"x3"x8' Studs Whitewood (for support along the side of the ply wood) @ $1.35 = $12.15
NO BASE (rest on carpet floor, which rests on concrete, which rests on the earth) @ $0
2x heavy duty tarp 16'x20' (will fit the lenght of pond inner total 16' and width is 12') @ $22 = $44
Total cost of LUMBER ONLY (@ homedepot online prices)= $79.73
(i didnt find out screws and possibly rope to hold tarp to lumber through grommets)
OK what do you guys think? Am concerned about water evaporation, and how the moisture may affect my house cause its all wood? what do you think? PROS and CONS and PROBLEMS !PLZ. TX

[drunktank]

is there any ventilation or windows etc? if so then you'll be okay. My friends got a 150g rubbermaid tub in his basement which is a saltwater ''tank''

Although i'd personally either purcahse the plastic pond, or make it out of concrete blocks and rubber pool liner. I'm not a fan of wood + water.

[headlessblade]

i was thinkin about using blocks just didn get to yet lolz there is only ONE window... Pool liner stronger than tarp? or theythe same thing?

oh yea where can i get pool liners? CHEAP?

[cali_reef]

I think Alti in NJ have a bunch salt water ponds in a basement for coral propergation. You should do a search for his thread.

[jhale]

that does not sound like enough structural support for that ammount of water.

[KathyC]

Aside from what has already been pointed out, you'd be taking a chance use a swimming pool liner as they are frequently treated with fungicides & algecides during manufacturing. They are not necessarily fish-safe.
A tarp may be useful as an underlayment for a liner to protect it from splinters, screw heads and sharp corners. Polyethylene tarps become quite brittle when used as a 'liner', IMO I'd doubt it would last 6 months without splitting.

Would this tank be for FW or SW fish?

The most appropriate liner would be 'pond liner'. It too is polyethylene and at a minimum it should be 20 or 30 mil thick. The better quality EPMD liners are 40 to 60 mil, but they are quite expensive.
Keep in mind that to line the pond you will have a lot of liner that will bunch up in your rectangular corners, so you would require a liner a minimum of 22 x 16 (or 18) foot for an 8 x 4 x 4 pond. You'd also have to be very neat in folding the material into the corners so that fish don't get caught in there, never mind the detritus that will accumulate. (This is where you'd use up the 'extra' yardage)

A preformed pond or a collapsible show tank might be a better way to go.
Best of luck with your project!

[cali_reef]

Quote: Originally Posted by jhale that does not sound like enough structural support for that ammount of water.

I wanted to see 2x3's and 1/2" ply hold up 1,000 gallons of water, it would have been very interesting .

[Domboski]

Check out this forum: http://z8.invisionfree.com/Sharks_an...p?showforum=11

These guys have shark and ray ponds and can help out.

[duke62]

i hope you do not have drywall in ur basement and if u do it better be green board other wise the evaporation of water will cause mildew on ur walls

[NYreefNoob]

ok i have built a few out door koi ponds for my mom over the year's. a few thing's i learnt. get a uv {atleast had to for outside} ill find out exactly where, but i do believe she got here liner at a hardware store. maybe it was hd. but ill check. last one i built was 8x6x6 with a 4' waterfall. is this going to be for fw or sw ? might really make a differance in type of liner. pre-wash liner either way.{ make liner secure in case you ever have to get into it} thought about seeing if landlord would let me build one at my house now for outside. be interested in following this thread once you decide what to do. id definately use block as the frame or support though. or buy a kids swimming pool. one of the small one's that are 3' or 4' deep. be alot cheaper to do and will give you about everything you need.