• Amused
  • Angry
  • Annoyed
  • Awesome
  • Bemused
  • Cocky
  • Cool
  • Crazy
  • Crying
  • Depressed
  • Down
  • Drunk
  • Embarrased
  • Enraged
  • Friendly
  • Geeky
  • Godly
  • Happy
  • Hateful
  • Hungry
  • Innocent
  • Meh
  • Piratey
  • Poorly
  • Sad
  • Secret
  • Shy
  • Sneaky
  • Tired
  • Results 1 to 8 of 8

    Thread: Question concerning pond insulation

    1. #1
      ceejay4801 is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Nov 2008
      Location
      Kingsport TN
      Posts
      167

      Unhappy Question concerning pond insulation

      When insulating around the pond will it make a difference wether using open cell or closed cell insulation. I am wondering about the static pressure collapsing the open cell against the sides of the walls over time.

      I am considering using the 2 inch open cell polystyrene and was wondering if this will collapse to less than an inch and allow the liner to touch an errant screw or nail that is not properly set and if it could cause a tear.

      This is on a QT tank 10L x 5W x 4D 2 feet above ground.
      Is this a concern or am I worrying about nothing?
      Do I need to use closed cell and make it 2inch by using overlapping sheets of 3/4 inch to achieve 2 1/4 inch?

      Any one who has torn down a pond with this insulation notice any problems using the open cell type?

      I will probably be building in the next week or so. I would appreciate comments or any experience with using this insulation.

      Thanks
      Charlie

      • Remove Ads
        Advertising from Google
        Promoting Koi and Pond
        keeping since 2007

         

    2. #2
      Steve511 is offline Junior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2010
      Location
      Long Island
      Posts
      13
      Not sure about the specifics of pond applications but as an insuator, I would opt for closed cell. Open cell will absorb moisture and act as a sponge. Closed cell also has much better structural properties which i suspect is fairly desirable. Closed cell also has around 2x the r-value per inch. The bad news is is also 2x the cost.

      Good Luck!

    3. #3
      Popfish's Avatar
      Popfish is offline Supporting Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2006
      Location
      Jacksonville, Florida
      Posts
      5,976
      I would just wonder about the purpose of the insulation. I doubt that it will accomplish very much at all unless the surface is covered also. Just like a hot tub.
      Charter Lifetime Diamond Member #5 of WWKC


      Certified Koi Keeper(CKK)


    4. #4
      richtoybox's Avatar
      richtoybox is offline Administrator
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      Awesome
       
      Join Date
      Feb 2005
      Location
      Sandston, VA
      Posts
      14,345
      If this is an above ground structure, wood framed or block, then it might not make too much difference. If it is below grade, the open cell will allow water into the cells, completely nullifiying any insulating properties. Trapped air is what is needed for insulating values.
      Zone 7 A/B
      Keep your words sweet. You never know when you may have to eat them.
      Richard

    5. #5
      mpageler's Avatar
      mpageler is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Feb 2005
      Location
      Woodbury Minnesota
      Posts
      3,547
      In an above ground QT, unless you insulate/cover the top, don't see much good in insulation the walls since most heat loss it going to be straight up. That's why houses have much more R value in the ceiling as compared to the walls.
      MN Mike

      5400g 10'x14'x 5
      Dry Stacked Block Walls - Drop-in Liner
      4" BD - Cetus Seive - DIY Skimmer
      125g MB w/8ft2 Biollow9
      Converted Trition II Sand Filter

      My Pond Construction
      My QT Tank
      My Indoor Overwintering Tank
      Calculating K1 Bio Media


    6. #6
      gmessler's Avatar
      gmessler is online now Senior Member
      is in a DIY mood
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jul 2008
      Location
      Suburban chicago, IL
      Posts
      835
      Hi Charlie,

      I've used this 1/2" poly insulation,

      http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

      on my pond not so much for the insulation value but for the protection from sharp edges. It doesn't seem compress much at all. I also used it on my parents pond three years ago (both ponds are concrete block) and no issues so far.

      Good luck.
      - Sherry & Greg

      21' x 11' x 5.5'
      9000 gal


      Our pond build HERE


      Click for Streamwood, Illinois Forecast

    7. #7
      ceejay4801 is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Nov 2008
      Location
      Kingsport TN
      Posts
      167
      Thanks to all who have replied...
      This QT will be made of wood and 1/2 way under ground.
      I will have insulation in the walls and the poly insulation is for liner protection primarily and secondary is if I get some R value out of it so be it.
      I will have a cover on it during the real cold months. Where I live sometimes we have real cold for a very short time. So I was preparing for that.
      I plan to have a plastic (6 mil) liner to hopefully stop water from getting to the insulation.
      I also will have an old pond liner under the insulation as well to try and help protect the new liner.

      Mostly I want the insulation to prevent the liner from contacting the wood or a screw/ nail head so that I won't get a tear in the liner. My worry was that if it picked up water and compressed would I just be wasting my time and money on the insulation.
      If I am wasting time and money on this step what would be better solution?

      Thanks
      Charlie

    8. #8
      Popfish's Avatar
      Popfish is offline Supporting Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2006
      Location
      Jacksonville, Florida
      Posts
      5,976
      Quote Originally Posted by ceejay4801 View Post
      Mostly I want the insulation to prevent the liner from contacting the wood or a screw/ nail head so that I won't get a tear in the liner. My worry was that if it picked up water and compressed would I just be wasting my time and money on the insulation.
      If I am wasting time and money on this step what would be better solution?
      An underlayment of old carpet would protect the liner. I think the insulation is of little value.
      Charter Lifetime Diamond Member #5 of WWKC


      Certified Koi Keeper(CKK)


      • Remove Ads
        Advertising from Google
        Promoting Koi and Pond
        keeping since 2007

         

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •