From reading other forums I gather that the zinc coating on galvanised mesh poisons fish so I assume it would also poison other wildlife in the pond. How about a temporary fence until the child is older?
Given the possibility of zinc affecting wildlife, I'd simply paint it with a couple of coats of black hammerite. Although the paint will eventually crack in a few places, you'd probably get at least 10 years before any noticeable degradation. Painting it black would also make it much less visible if you place it slightly under the surface.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Lead farmer ,with all this safety in mind ,may I ask how young are your children or do you allow your neighbours children free access to your property ,if the answer to the above questions is :-1 your children are under 10 & 2 if your neighbours kids have access Don't build the pond . wait until the kids are older and have more sense about the Hazards of deep water
My boy is 6 and is quite competent in water, to the point where im happy enough to have the pond, but I don't want to take chances. Glad this thread popped up again as the project has been on hold over winter, but will be going ahead soon.
I'd say at six years old the lad will be fine. I know my children were at that age. I could happily have a discussion about the do and don'ts of ponds with them and be sure they understood. I only cover ponds because my daughter is nearly 2.
But of course, thats up to you. May I suggest a wide netting staked at the edges.
If you want frogs and toads, they must be able to get in AND out. They (and fish) need access to the surface. I too have a 2m diameter pond, and am looking for the best cover to keep the leaves out, while maintaining a fringe hole for irises and frogs( who need stones as staircase to paving level).
Cover needs to be not unsightly in winter, and easy to remove and replace often according to season and wildlife e.g dragonflies, weed-removal, and use of fountain.
Future / present proofing your pond sounds a very sensible idea. It may not be your child that falls in but imagine the horror if at a party a friends little brother fell in while their mother was watching someone else, even if all that happened was wet feet forgotten about once sweeties are mentioned.
Yes it's fine for us to say "oh its not really going to be a nature pond" or try and impose our suggestions on you but ultimately its for you to decide what you think is best. Its your garden that means you have ultimate control. The wildlife will just learn to adapt as no doubt is has done many many times before!
6" square mesh seems plenty big enough for wild life to me (esp. for frogs and things). After all if hedgehog was able to get in through the grid surely it can get out through the same hole? Its also a good size to get your hand in to retrieve action men who claim on the television that they can swim but actually sink like stones.
I'd suggest seeing if you could get marine grade 316 stainless steel (316L being a low carbon content, 316H being high carbon content) rather than galv or painted that should prevent issues with rust contaminating the water. Now you could google the life out of this and you'd find that it does react slightly in warm sea water (causing brown staining) and but this shouldn't apply to your situation. As with all materials there will always be a slight risk you have to take. This is the grade that as an engineering type bod I have used all the time for systems that are outside / get washed down regularly and its used for boat fittings which should go some way to proving its water friendly properties.
One thing to consider is how it is made removable so that you can do maintenance on your pond (taking out leaves, removing dead plants / fish).
Is a child's life worth more than the possible side effects on wild life? Of course it is. So do whatever you feel you have to and let the wildlife sink or swim - literally.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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From reading other forums I gather that the zinc coating on galvanised mesh poisons fish so I assume it would also poison other wildlife in the pond. How about a temporary fence until the child is older?
Given the possibility of zinc affecting wildlife, I'd simply paint it with a couple of coats of black hammerite. Although the paint will eventually crack in a few places, you'd probably get at least 10 years before any noticeable degradation. Painting it black would also make it much less visible if you place it slightly under the surface.
Lead farmer ,with all this safety in mind ,may I ask how young are your children or do you allow your neighbours children free access to your property ,if the answer to the above questions is :-1 your children are under 10 & 2 if your neighbours kids have access Don't build the pond . wait until the kids are older and have more sense about the Hazards of deep water
Derek
I'd say at six years old the lad will be fine. I know my children were at that age. I could happily have a discussion about the do and don'ts of ponds with them and be sure they understood. I only cover ponds because my daughter is nearly 2.
But of course, thats up to you. May I suggest a wide netting staked at the edges.
If you want frogs and toads, they must be able to get in AND out. They (and fish) need access to the surface. I too have a 2m diameter pond, and am looking for the best cover to keep the leaves out, while maintaining a fringe hole for irises and frogs( who need stones as staircase to paving level).
Cover needs to be not unsightly in winter, and easy to remove and replace often according to season and wildlife e.g dragonflies, weed-removal, and use of fountain.
Any suggestions as to best cover for all this?
Future / present proofing your pond sounds a very sensible idea. It may not be your child that falls in but imagine the horror if at a party a friends little brother fell in while their mother was watching someone else, even if all that happened was wet feet forgotten about once sweeties are mentioned.
Yes it's fine for us to say "oh its not really going to be a nature pond" or try and impose our suggestions on you but ultimately its for you to decide what you think is best. Its your garden that means you have ultimate control. The wildlife will just learn to adapt as no doubt is has done many many times before!
6" square mesh seems plenty big enough for wild life to me (esp. for frogs and things). After all if hedgehog was able to get in through the grid surely it can get out through the same hole? Its also a good size to get your hand in to retrieve action men who claim on the television that they can swim but actually sink like stones.
I'd suggest seeing if you could get marine grade 316 stainless steel (316L being a low carbon content, 316H being high carbon content) rather than galv or painted that should prevent issues with rust contaminating the water. Now you could google the life out of this and you'd find that it does react slightly in warm sea water (causing brown staining) and but this shouldn't apply to your situation. As with all materials there will always be a slight risk you have to take. This is the grade that as an engineering type bod I have used all the time for systems that are outside / get washed down regularly and its used for boat fittings which should go some way to proving its water friendly properties.
One thing to consider is how it is made removable so that you can do maintenance on your pond (taking out leaves, removing dead plants / fish).
Hope that helps.
IM just asking a blacksmith to make me a 4 x 3 foot grid to go over a pond I will dig on my allotment
The consensus is that they are not sure how galvanised steel will affect frogs etc
SS is £388 and GS £255
Is a child's life worth more than the possible side effects on wild life? Of course it is. So do whatever you feel you have to and let the wildlife sink or swim - literally.