A garden pond can be decorated with plants or fish or both. It needs to be lined with either a preformed, fixed liner or a flexible liner. Rigid or preformed liners are best suited for small ponds. Preformed liners are suitable where you do not have space to dig. Such ponds, in different shapes and sizes, are an alternative to the costly concrete pond. Using these materials, an average gardener can install a decent-sized pond in less than one day, and have it stocked with plant and fish by next morning.

But to create a pond shape of your choice you may require a flexible liner. Flexible liners come in various measures of thickness, with the thicker ones being more resistant to wear and tear. But preformed liners are suited for small ponds, while for medium and big ones, flexible rubber liners are suitable. Plastic liners may harm fish and plant life in the long run

When creating a garden pond with a flexible liner, calculate the width, length and depth of the pond and multiply the maximum depth by three. Add the figure to the length and width. This measurement will cover the entire base and sides, and even leave a portion around the sides which can be covered with rocks to secure the liner in place. On the other hand, installing a rigid or preformed liner requires creating a hole that suits the shape of the pond.

Installing Pond Liners is a delicate task, as they are in danger of rupture by sharp objects like stones or roots. It is prudent to install a pre-liner between the liner and the soil, made of materials like Styrofoam, sand and crumpled newspapers. While you start the installation, lay the liner around the hole with an overlap all around and smooth any wrinkles. Lay some stones over the overlap, and secure the liner around the pond.

Synthetic liners are okay for small ponds, as their health is not being challenged by micronutrient feeding problems. Soil additives such as sodium bentonite clays are much cheaper than synthetic liners. The only drawback is that they require professional help for maintenance.

Flexible liners are mush better than concrete or fiberglass. Concrete ponds are expensive, requiring footings, reinforcements and several layers of concrete. Construction of such ponds requires professional help and over the long term, they begin to crack. With the advent of new rubber and synthetic Pond Liners, the drudgery associated with concrete shaping and mixing is a thing of the past.