Whether you have a koi pond or any sort of outdoor aquarium, having a method of keeping the bad things out and good things in your water is key.
In this article...
The best pond liners are made of a variety of plastics and rubbers, and choosing between them can be tricky.
Throughout today’s article, we will look at some of the best options on the market today along with just what makes them stand out.
If you’re just getting started, or have your own koi ponds, follow along as we look at the best fish pond liners out there.
- 20 year warranty against defects
- Reasonably priced, often on sale
- 45 mils thick means plenty of protection
- Great price point for the size
- 80 square feet of durable reinforced polyethylene
- UV resistant and good for a variety of placements
- 20 year guarantee on the product
- 45 mil thick EPDM rubber pond liner
- Puncture resistant, UV resistant, and meant to last
The Best From The Reviews
Firestone PondGard 45mil EPDM Pond Liner
Firestone makes some of the best pond liners on the market today! This option is a great pick for those with a garden pond, small pond, or even waterfalls
Top Pick: Firestone PondGard 45mil EPDM Pond Liner
When it comes to choosing a new pond liner for your fish pond or water garden, those with the extra money for a premium option need look no further than the Aquascape 85009.
Beckett Corporation Flexible Pre-Cut PVC Liner
With 80 square feet of 20 mil thick material, this PVC pond liner works great for larger ponds and water gardens.
Best Value: Beckett Corporation Flexible Pre-Cut PVC Liner
As the best value option on today’s list, Beckett PVC pond liners strike a great balance between cost and performance. UV and puncture resistant, this model allows you to protect your fish pond without breaking the bank.
Aquascape 85009 EPDM Pond Liner
When it comes to choosing a new pond liner for your fish pond or water garden, those with the extra money for a premium option need look no further than the Aquascape 85009.
Editor’s Choice: Aquascape 85009 EPDM Pond Liner
A favorite of professional designers and pond builders alike, this EPDM rubber pond liner is my Editor’s Choice pick thanks to its excellent durability and performance.
On To The Reviews…
Firestone PondGard 45mil EPDM Pond Liner
Firestone makes some of the best pond liners on the market today! This option is a great pick for those with a water garden, small pond, or even waterfalls.
Top Pick: Firestone PondGard 45mil EPDM Pond Liner
Whether you’re building a garden pond or full on outdoor aquarium system, the Firestone EPDM liner makes a great choice.
With its large size, durable 45 mil thickness, and resistance to the elements, it’s no wonder that this large liner is one of the top contenders on today’s list.
Durable Construction
With a 45 mil thickness and 75 year life expectancy, these Firestone liners are built to last. The plastic itself is denser than many other low density polyethylene pond liners, being constructed of a thicker rubber material.
This makes it a bit heavier, but leads to a higher amount of resistance to abrasion and UV. Not to mention being backed by a 20-year warranty against material defects, which means you’ll be able to replace this firestone liner if anything does go awry.
Weight
EPDM is a heavy material, meaning that this option weighs around 2 pounds more than polyvinyl chloride pond liners of a similar size. While this may not be a huge issue once installed, it can make maneuvering it around when first placing a bit of a challenge.
Additionally, the 75-square-foot area may be a bit small and some may prefer a preformed pond liner with more appropriate dimensions.
Specs
- 12.62 pounds
- Measures 5’ x 15’
Pros
- 20 year warranty against defects
- Reasonably priced, often on sale
- 45 mils thick means plenty of protection
Cons
- Heavier than other options
- Measurements may not be what some are looking for
Beckett Corporation Flexible Pre-Cut PVC Liner
With 80 square feet of 20 mil thick material, this PVC pond liner works great for larger ponds and water gardens.
Best Value: Beckett Corporation Flexible Pre-Cut PVC Liner
Constructed from high-quality plastic, Beckett PVC liners are the standard for the material. This pond liner is simple to use, durable, and resists the harsh elements such as UV from direct sunlight and punctures from the outside. With a great price point, it easily takes the title of Best Value on today’s roundup.
Durable
While preformed pond liners constructed of PVC may not have the full thickness of their rubber liner counterparts, they still can absolutely perform the job of keeping your pond fish safe and happy. This preformed liner material even comes with a 15 year manufacturer’s warranty, so you can replace it if there is a pesky puncture along the way.
Price
This option takes the cake when it comes to value per performance. PVC liners are generally cheaper than those made of reinforced polyethylene, but often come in thicknesses closer to 15mil. At 20, this option brings a bit more durability to the table.
Texture
With all that being said, those with yards that may have more sharp rocks or abrasive features may be better suited with EPDM liners. While PVC pond liners can do the trick for many, something with a highly textured surface such as a concrete pond or area with plenty of rocks may abrade this model too much to remain useful.
Specs
- 10.4 pounds
- Measures 8’ x 10’
Pros
- Great price point for the size
- 80 square feet of durable reinforced polyethylene
- UV resistant and good for a variety of placements
Cons
- Thinner pond liner materials
- May be less durable than other types of pond liners
Aquascape 85009 EPDM Pond Liner
A favorite of professional designers and pond builders alike, this EPDM rubber liner is my Editor’s Choice pick thanks to its excellent durability and performance.
Editor’s Choice: Aquascape 85009 EPDM Pond Liner
Aquascape has made an excellent option for pond underlayment with the 85009 EPDM ground pond liner. A good pond underlayment whether for a raised pond or in-ground. These pond liners are made for the long haul with a 45mil thick dark plastic that can resist the elements and whatever else life has to throw at your fish pond.
Durability
Constructed of an extremely durable ethylene propylene diene monomer (or HDPE) this option is perfect for lining fish ponds in both warm and cold climates. Built to withstand UV, ozone, and oxidation, this rubberized option boasts the best durability compared to other materials such as PVC and even reinforced polyethylene liners.
Warranty
With a 20-year manufacturer guarantee, pond owners can rest easy knowing that even if something goes wrong, they’re in good hands with Aquascape. Many other synthetic rubber manufacturers will include a similar warranty, but 20 years is a huge amount of time to back your product against defects.
Price
This is one of the most expensive options on the list, and by far the heaviest. All of that durability does come at a cost, although when stacked up against the competition when it comes to ease of use and durability this is still a great way to go when looking at flexible pond liners.
Specs
- 23.5 pounds
- Measures 8’ x 10’
Pros
- 20 year guarantee on the product
- 45 mil thick EPDM rubber pond liner
- High puncture resistance, UV resistant, and meant to last
Cons
- More expensive than other types of pond liners
- Somewhat fragile and may need careful handling prior to installation
Hygger is a known name in the aquarium industry, and that shows with this high quality liner. Made of a thin PVC pond liner material material, it is quite a bit thinner than other options and may not be suited to more rigorous handling.
Hygger Pond Liner
PVC is a perfectly acceptable option for everyday use, and this option from Hygger is one of the best on the market. While not the best for use in more demanding situations such as ponds with rocks or waterfalls, it works in a broad range of applications around the house and can easily fit an irregularly shaped or large pond.
Affordable
With the best ratio of cost per length on this list, you can easily get enough material to suit a larger size pond liner and have material to spare. You may need it over time to patch up any holes, but it can be a great starting place for more simple pond building projects like a backyard setup without rocks.
Durability
With savings comes a drastic decrease in overall durability. While it is indeed safe for use with aquatic life, it shouldn’t be relied upon to hold up to strain or puncture. At 14.5mil, one can’t expect to see the greatest strength.
Hygger is a known name in the aquarium industry, and that shows with this high quality liner. Made of a thin PVC liner material material, it is quite a bit thinner than other options and may not be suited to more rigorous handling.
Specs
- 5.79 pounds
- Measures 7’ x 10’
Pros
- One of the lightest options for pond building
- One of the best quality PVC pond liners available
- Economical, at the best price to length ratio on the list
Cons
- All of that weight savings comes at the cost of durability compared to HDPE or EPDM pond liners
- Not the best for service with abrasion and won’t be great as concrete liners or for use with rocks
Anjin Lifeguard 45mil EPDM Pond Liner
This entry into the world of rubber pond liners from Anjin, this 45-mil EPDM option comes with the longest warranty on this list and is a strong contender for best pond liner on today’s list.
Anjin Lifeguard 45mil EPDM Pond Liner
The Anjin Lifeguard 45 mil rubber pond liner is another great choice for those looking into a rubberized option. With higher durability, longer lifespan, and a great warranty, anyone deciding between EPDM liners should give these a look.
Durability
As with other rubber pond liners, the Anjin comes at 45-mil thick, meaning it can stand up to a good amount of abuse before a puncture should be expected. This stuff is used in many industrial and commercial capacities, and can handle rocky koi ponds and severe weather.
Flexible
EPDM rubber makes for a very flexible pond liner, as the material stretches quite a ways before tearing. With a little creativity and the use of some liner tape, you can fit irregular spaces without the use of a preformed pond liner specially made for your space.
Price
These flexible pond liners are pricier than PVC liners by far. They should last quite a while, but the initial investment is a bit higher. Also, the rubberized pond liner materials are not food safe and should not be used for aquaponic or gardening setups.
Specs
- 10.88 pounds
- Measures 8’ x 10’
Pros
- 45-mil EPDM rubber liner
- 25-year manufacturer warranty
- UV, puncture, ozone, and oxidant resistant
Cons
- More expensive, as with most rubber pond liners
- Not food safe, and won’t work for aquaponic setups
HDPE liners strike a great middle balance between weight and durability for those seeking to cover a good amount of area. Flexible, cheap, and light this option from YBB is a great option.
YBB 15.7 mil HDPE Pond Liner
While EPDM is generally my material of choice for outdoor applications, HDPE pond liner options such as this one from YBB make a great option for those looking to strike a balance between price and durability. Tougher than PVC, and much lighter than rubber, I recommend this for those without a large amount of substrate or rocks.
Weight to Durability
HDPE plastics are quite light, even when compared to the lightest PVC options. Even at a thinner measurement of 15.7mil thickness, it has a remarkable ability to hold weight and can make a great pond liner with the use of a lighter substrate such as sand or gravel.
Safe Material
Great for a fish pond, it’s non-toxic for fish (as with all other plastics on today’s list,) and food safe for humans, it’s no wonder HDPE plastics are popular pond liner materials for a range of uses. Whether trying to line an aquaponic setup, gardening, or even a fish-only space YBB fish pond liners can make for a great choice.
Flexibility
This option isn’t quite as stretchable as a flexible liner made of EPDM. Fish ponds with irregular shapes or sharp edges may want to think twice before using anything but the best fish pond liners out there. Additionally, YBB unfortunately does not offer a warranty on this flexible liner product at this time.
Specs
- 4.9 pounds
- Measures 10’ x 6.6’
Pros
- Affordable
- High density polyethylene construction
- Food safe material and can be used in a wide array of applications
Cons
- No warranty available
- Not quite as durable as rubber options
What Are Pond Liners
Fish pond liners are large pieces of plastic, rubber, or even carpet that sit along the bottom of an outdoor water feature such as a pond, waterfall, or aquaponic tank.
They are used to provide a level of protection and impermeability, and are typically leak-safe and quite resistant to chemicals, UV exposure, and in some cases even punctures.
Does A Pond Need A Liner?
Unless you know that your system is entirely waste free, and that the surrounding environment is free of potential contaminants, you may want to consider the use of one of the preformed liners on today’s list.
Having a liner ensures that you keep harmful fish wastes from exiting the pond, while keeping out pesticides and other hazardous chemicals.
What Are The Best Pond Liners
The best pond liners are those constructed of EPDM rubber. This versatile liner material is generally heavier and thicker, and can stand up to a lot of use.
Systems with waterfalls and plenty of rocks should consider using rubberized EPDM liners, while pond owners with more simple systems may want to consider lighter options made of lighter PVC or HDPE.
Things to consider when buying pond liners
Depending on how you ultimately intend to set up your pond, you may want to consider using any one of the varieties of pond liner available today. From preformed liners made of materials such as fiberglass, to cheap and disposable PVC, there is definitely a material out there to suit whatever use you can think up.
Type of Pond
The complexity of your pond can help decide which option may suit you best. Those with heavier substrates including rocks, logs, and other potentially sharp materials may want to consider a tougher option made of rubber, HDPE plastic, or even a fiberglass liner.
NOTE
Another point to consider is whether or not you would like to use your system to grow food at any point. Those seeking a food safe material should shy away from EPDM, and may be better served by HDPE.
If your pond includes primarily plants and fish, without much heavy water flow you can likely get away with something a bit more affordable and less durable, such as PVC or HDPE.
Pond Size
The overall size of your pond shell, or outer edge and depth, is what determines how much liner material you will need. Bear in mind that all of the above options are shipped in rectangular increments that can be readily sized up.
While cheaper materials can more easily suit larger spaces, we should still keep an eye towards the durability and overall lifetime of our pond supplies.
Pond Shape
Being shipped out with squared edges means that those with irregularly shaped or rounded ponds may need to consider adding additional material to cover the entirety of their setup.
Flexible liners made of EPDM can be stretched somewhat to fit these spaces, and liner tape can be employed to join together individual pieces while maintaining integrity.
Weather/Climate
If you know that your climate readily tends toward extremes in both cold and heat, commercial materials such as EPDM may be the way to go.
PVC liners are not likely to hold up long to continuous cycles of heavy weather, whereas other flexible liners can handle years of abuse.
Type of Pond Liner Material
Material durability is the largest primary factor when it comes to the different kinds of liners. The more affordable you go, generally the less durable the material.
EPDM Liner
Constructed of a rubberized material known as an “ethylene propylene diene monomer,” this option is the strongest, longest lasting, and more flexible option. For those where budget is less of an issue, EPDM liners the way to go.
PVC Liner
Also known as “polyvinyl chloride,” PVC has been used for decades in diverse applications from plumbing to sporting equipment. It is light, cheap, and fairly inflexible, meaning it’s a good option for basic setups but may wind up a bit lacking for
HDPE Liner
“High density polyethylene” plastics strike a good middle ground between the previous two options. With a good tensile strength that doesn’t require the same thickness of material, this option is quite light for the amount of durability that you get.
Fiberglass
As a final option not presented in today’s review roundup, one can always purchase preformed pond liners made of fiberglass and other composites. While definitely more on the expensive side, these pond liners are incredibly tough, and generally easy to install.
What Size of Pond Liner?
While pond liners tend to come in two dimensional increments (with a relatively thin depth of around 15-45-mil), the spaces that they are likely to be used in have three dimensions. I recommend the following formula for calculating the amount of materials needed:
Pond Liner Calculation
(Length + (2xDepth + 1)) = length required
(Width + (2 x Depth +1)) = width required
NOTE
The extra amount of material allows us to properly anchor the liner material into the surrounding surface.
So as an example, if I have a tank of 8’ long by 7’ wide and 2’ deep, I would require a liner of at least 12’ x 13’ :
(8 + (2 x 2 + 1)) = 13’ long
(7 + (2 x 2 +1)) = 12’ wide
How To Fix A Pond Liner Leak
As with most problems in life, there are a few different ways to approach patching a leak in your pond liner. Depending on the material and size of the leak, you may want to consider attempting the following repairs.
Pond Liner Patch Kit
Some companies sell complete patch kits, which can be incredibly handy and easy to use.
They generally require a dry application area, meaning you will likely need to drain your pond in order to place the patch. On the plus side, these often blend in quite well to the original material.
Liquid Sealant
Similar to other liquid glues and rubbers that you may have encountered, this works by simply placing a coating of rubberized material over any holes, sealing them on both sides.
This option is typically more cost effective than patches, but may not be as durable over time.
Liner Tape
While I wouldn’t recommend this for large-scale use, the liner tape that you’d normally use to join separate pieces together can work well in patching applications.
The downside is that it tends to be sticky on both sides, meaning that it may gather debris from inside of your pond.
FAQS
What is the best material for pond liners?
I’d recommend EPDM first for all but food-related applications, followed by HDPE and PVC. Additionally, those with a custom pond shape and extra funds may want a preformed liner made of fiberglass.
What is the most durable pond liner?
When it comes to the different liner materials for pond underlayment, EPDM is the most durable, followed by the less flexible HDPE and finally the thinner PVC options. That being said,
What thickness pond liner is best?
For more rugged applications involving rocks and moving water, 45-mil is the best way to go. 20-mil PVC or even 15-mil HDPE liners can work for pond owners without the need for much puncture-resistance.
Conclusion
I hope that you’ve enjoyed these reviews and found the best pond liner that works best for you.
If you still haven’t decided, here are a few last minute tips.
- 20 year warranty against defects
- Reasonably priced, often on sale
- 45 mils thick means plenty of protection
- Great price point for the size
- 80 square feet of durable reinforced polyethylene
- UV resistant and good for a variety of placements
- 20 year guarantee on the product
- 45 mil thick EPDM rubber pond liner
- Puncture resistant, UV resistant, and meant to last
Top Pick
The Firestone Pondgard presents a great option for those seeking a durable, affordable EPDM rubber liner. At 45-mil thick, this firestone liner will last for years while holding up to everything nature can throw at it.
Best Value
The Beckett PVC liner is a great choice for those looking to do things affordably. While not the most durable option on this list, this liner will work great for beginners and those seeking more material for their money.
Editor’s Choice
The Aquascape 85009 is the premium choice on today’s list because of its durability and warranty. It’s hard to beat EPDM when looking to create a long-lasting pond setup!
Thanks for Reading!
I hope you’ve found this article helpful in choosing the best pond liner for you.
As always feel free to share this article with any other fish fanatics you know, and I wish you the best of luck on your continued aquarium adventures.
