expanding foam for pond

[mikeandronda]

Im building a pond in my back yard. After priceing rock( $130 per ton ) I am researching creating fake rock like they do in zoo's and museums. Some of the websights suggest using the type of foam used in boats. Well I just happen to frequent the best boating website in the world.....IBOATS......Could somebody maybe give me the heads up on this stuff, Brand names and such. Also I know its not cheap but is it true that some of it expands 300 times. Any and all info would be great. JB if I posted this in the wrong area please put it where it belongs, Thanx.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: expanding foam for pond

I'd be willing to bet that creating fake rock would be as, or more, expensive than the real thing, at $130 a ton..<br /><br /> http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: expanding foam for pond

I see were it may look like that snapperbait but, what you do is, build a frame out of wood,boxes, tree stump, ect... and then put chicken wire over it to creat the desirable shape then add foam under chicken wire so when it grows it comes out just over the chicken wire. You then shape useing tools,Put a thin layer of cement or stucco, then paint as realiastic as can be done. Last step would be to add some clear waterproof paint. I have no way( without paying through the nose) of moveing a rock as big as I need so this is the only way to do this I can think of. Also I can shape it just like I would want it. Thanx for the site though.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: expanding foam for pond

Got ya... <br /><br />Shaping it is easy.. Hand saws.. anything.. Sandpaper works ok, but for rough work a small "cheeze grader" type plainer is great..<br /><br />don't inhale the dust.

 

[lund17]

Re: expanding foam for pond

M&R, Are there any farms in your area. I get all the stone I want from the local dairy farms. Their hedgerows are full of it and if you don't mind many farmers would appreciate a little help "pickin" rocks when preparing a field for planting. It may not be the same in your neck of the woods but it's worth a try. FYI: a ton of rock should yield about 12-14 cubic feet. Not a whole lot when you start stacking or spreading it around. The pond I just dug in my yard last fall finally thawed and I'm headed for the farm next week to line the walls and create a coping around the edge. Last year I built an 8 foot fire pit and 50 feet of wall. All free except for the muscle relaxer

 

[NathanY]

Re: expanding foam for pond

$130 per ton? That seems a little high to me. Try a local rock quary and ask for 12-16" rip rap. That costs about 4.00 a ton, plus truck charge which is usually 40-50 bucks. Dump trucks in MO, carry 12-14 tons.

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: expanding foam for pond

Well that price is on some nice looking landscaping boulders and rock like sandstone, but I bet at that price I could find a bunch that would work. The thing is Im makeing a waterfall so the Idea of moulding it to the shape I wanted is really Appealing. But thanx Nathan, for the tip on going direct to the quarry, since I am doing a ton of Landscaping this year and my wife loves the rock thing.

 

[JB]

Re: expanding foam for pond

Hi, M&R.<br /><br />Mold the boulders, etc. that you want from chicken wire. Cover that with fine mesh, then coat the whole thing with stiff Ready Mix mortar. You can also seal your pond with the same stuff.<br /><br />That's how many Zoos do it.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: expanding foam for pond

I have seen the results of JB's suggestion. Works perfectly, to any shape you want. Brilliant for waterfalls, custom shaping.<br /> I was told to <br />1. make sure the "rock" was not top or side heavy, by putting weight in the bottom.<br />2. the ready-mix concrete manufacturers will tell you what type of mix to use. (I don't think it is unlike pouring a free-form concrete pool or a ferro-cement boat.)<br />3. for the base of a pond, use that real thick black plastic liner, run it up and over the sides , then cover the sides with real rocks to hide everything. It is really easy to clean and maintain. Far superior product.<br />Just a suggestion.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Bigfun]

Re: expanding foam for pond

Should consider the fact that water attracts kids, like a moth to light. Large boulders are very attractive platforms for standing and rock hopping. You will get the most pleasure with the least amount of maint. and not have to tell people to stay off the rocks, with real stone. <br /><br />If you do go with the fake stuff, you could incorporate some lighting in the 'rock'.<br /><br />Iv'e done a few boulder gardens, but I get all my rocks for free. I highly reccommend scouting out farms. The most expencive part is transporting them. They will destroy or put a perm. belly in most trailers. If you can work out the tranpotation problem, have the farmer load them and rent a 4x4 front end loader (about 30 hp.) to place them. Don't forget to bury 1/2 to 1/3 of each boulder. Good luck.

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: expanding foam for pond

Thanks for all the pointers guys. I think it will probably be a combination of real and fake. Useing the fake + some bigger boulders on the waterfall and useing flat sandstone around the pond. The pond is only gonna be 10 by 8 so I dont need an obscence amount of either.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: expanding foam for pond

Caution on the use of any cement/concrete or it’s derivatives to seal a pond. Caution on the use of cement rock in the pond, too. Fish and other critters are biologic systems that have a limited tolerance for the lime that leaches into the water. Most plants are ok with it. Best pond building web sites are in England. Best pond sealer is called “G4” … English product not readily available in the US. Many people have had success with acrylic paint as a sealer.<br /><br />If you plan any waterfalls or fountains that are outside the pond be sure to build a concrete slap base that is designed for water to flow off it back into the pond. It’s common to install a sheet of butyl on the concrete pad before building up to the water sculpture. Any leaking water makes it way back to the pond and won’t harm the aquatic life.<br /><br />Suggestion: Start by planning the pond size and appropriate filtration on paper BEFORE you do anything else. If you don’t understand the filtration, DON’T go any further until you do.

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: expanding foam for pond

Thanx 18rabbit for the heads up. I do want to do it right. As for fish Im going to have simple goldfish and frogs (for the kids)It will only be about 18 inches deep so I am assuming some loss from nieborhood critters. I am looking for some sort of concrete that will not be harmful to fish or plants.Also I will be studing all of the possablitys for filtration before we start. I have been doing fishtanks now for 17+ years so I do have an understanding of fish management(filtration and nutrition) I know it may be a bit different with it being outside. 18Rabbit, was it you who used to build ponds??????<br />Edit: sorry 18Rabbit it was neil2fish

 

[Tainted Halo]

Re: expanding foam for pond

i used to design and build them.... i site that can give you and good overview is www.oase.com they are the masters of pond equipment.... as for fake stone, from my experiance be carefull in some cases it took 12 weeks for the chemicals to leave the water before cients were able to put livestock and plants into their ponds..... it's a science and an art.... there are many tricks that most don't want you to know.... kind of like boat building..... but if you have questions msg me and i will fill you on the how to.... and ps... after labour, and materials there are many real stones that will cost less then the self made...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: expanding foam for pond

this is a 6 Y/O thread.