[Malrex]

Ok, I've heard all the hype about how roof liners cause problems to fish, etc. I decided to see for myself what the difference is between the two liners. It sounds like there is only 2 really large companies that make the liner (this is what I was told), Firestone and one other. Pond companies buy their liner, put their own spin on it, then sell it.

Both the liners have a talc on them so that it doesn't stick together when rolled up, at least in my experience with using Aquascape's liners and checking out the roofing liner. Basically it's been said that the talc can clog up a fish's gills...but if they are on both liners, then how can one be "fish safe" and the other is not--they look exactly the same!!

I think its all BS. I'll be purchasing roof liner for my own personal pond. Will probably powerwash it before installing it, which I do anyways. I'd rather pay $ 0.63 a sq. foot then a $1.15 or more for a "fish safe" liner that looks exactly the same as the "unsafe" one.

Anyone have any bad experiences using roofing liner for ponds? Another company I asked told me they have had 0 problems. I think its just another way for the pond kit companies to make an extra buck(s).

[livingwaters]

You can get EPDM for $.63 sq ft, if you shop around.

[natural12]

Agreed. Over 1$ for liner is too much. You are probably paying retail prices. You can find liner for .5-.6.

[Keith N]

It might be a myth or it might be the truth, but do you want to gamble with a customers price Koi just to save a couple bucks? Trust me I'm as cheap as they come when it comes to these ponds. Boulders for $250 a ton, liner for
$.50 sqft and pipe for $1.50 a ft. Drives me nuts! The pond kit's now that is a freaking fleecing. With that being said you can get liner for $.45 sqft all day long if you shop around or buy rolls.

The 2 major liner companies are Firestone and Carlisle. The difference in a roofing liner and a pond liner is the roofing liner is treated with antibacterial compounds and the pond liner is not. The roofing liner has the treatments to keep fungi and crap from growing on the roof surface breaking the liner down prematurely and the pond liner promotes bacterial growth which is beneficial.

Malrex, where are you located? You should be able to get pond liner for $.20 cheaper than what you quoted.

[Malrex]

Originally Posted by Keith N

It might be a myth or it might be the truth, but do you want to gamble with a customers price Koi just to save a couple bucks? Trust me I'm as cheap as they come when it comes to these ponds. Boulders for $250 a ton, liner for
$.50 sqft and pipe for $1.50 a ft. Drives me nuts! The pond kit's now that is a freaking fleecing. With that being said you can get liner for $.45 sqft all day long if you shop around or buy rolls.

The 2 major liner companies are Firestone and Carlisle. The difference in a roofing liner and a pond liner is the roofing liner is treated with antibacterial compounds and the pond liner is not. The roofing liner has the treatments to keep fungi and crap from growing on the roof surface breaking the liner down prematurely and the pond liner promotes bacterial growth which is beneficial.

No, I don't like gambling with clients. That's why I'm going to build one at my own home first and try it out. Even though a few other companies around me swear its fine and they have had 0 problems with fish death.

The antibacterial compounds makes sense to me and that is a compelling arguement. I'm still going to try it out and see for myself at my own place. I'm still very skeptical about it and maybe just bitter towards the pond companies. Have had so many problems lately with Aquascape and their biofalls and skimmers (screws not going into holes, ect.)...if their pond kits included rocks and cobble, then I'd probably not bi%&h so much.

I'm located in PA. Those are wholesale prices but for custom cuts, not rolls. I did shop around a little bit more and saw a wholesale price of $0.93 a foot...whee! Where are you getting $0.50 a sq. foot at?

[Keith N]

ADI doesn't have any problems with the screw inserts! Every signature skimmer that I have installed the bottom left screws strip out even being as careful as one can be. I get my liner from a company that is local called Anjon Index of /They deal nationwide but shipping would probably kill a good price. Another company that sells the liner for $.38 sqft is AKT specialty 1800-627-6213 but they're in TN and shipping would probably kill you. I wish I could get bluestone as cheap as you probably get it for what it's worth.

[uniscaper]

From what I'm told the additives in the roof rubber are only on the surface hidden in with the talc looking powder you see. There are people out there who actually harvest used roof rubber and sell it for ponds. The theory there is the "talc" is worn off and hence no fish health problems. I have talked to a few people that have used this rubber with zero problems. Unfortunately I have no sources for recycled rubber for you but, maybe with a little research you can find one yourself. A good inexpensive alternative?.

[lavender landscapes]

can some one please tell me how to start thread?

[Stonehenge]

Navigate to the relevant forum (Hardscapes, Softscapes, etc). Click "New Thread" button.