Recommendations for plant stand in liner pond

[REVIV]

I have just completed my koi pond and want to add some lilies and lotus in pots. My pond is 4.5' deep with straight sides and has an EPDM liner. I am looking for something to use as a plant stand that would raise the pots up 2-3' for a better depth for the plants. This needs to be something that would be stable, have a base that would not harm my liner, and ideally a safe place for fish to hide under the stand.

Any suggestions that I could buy or make?

[BWG]

I use PVC pipe. Paint with Krylon Fusion if you want another color. Design can be varried for stability and height. Cap ends or use horizontal pipe on the bottom legs with 90s or Ts to protect liner from cut ends. Horizontal pipe on bottom legs adds stability. Size of pipe should be proportional to pot size and weight.

[*Ci*]

In the past I have used sections of plastic shelving that worked very well on a flat bottomed pond. I put some rocks in the tube legs for ballast. I used pvc caps for the “feet” but maybe you could try rubber fernco caps. The shelves I already had were white, but you can find them in black.

However, I think that any stand you put in the pond that is 2-3ft. high will be unstable unless it were some kind of heavy table - maybe an aluminum patio table with a glass top would work?

Also, there’s a really good chance that koi will dig up and make a mess out of potted water lilies, especially if they spawn amongst them. Some people have luck with koi and plants, but others give up after the koi get big. I have floating planters in my pond that are koi proof and koi safe, but, of course, they only work for emersed marginal plants, not water lilies.

[BWG]

For tall stands additional stability ,if using PVC pipe, put a 90 or T on bottom legs and extend the footprint to prevent tipping.

If using the shelves a small pad made from pond liner under each leg will give sufficient liner protection.

[matherfish]

You can also stone such as flagstone or stepping stones on top of the shelves to help keep the stands from floating up.

[REVIV]

Thanks - some good suggestions.
I have considered the shelves too. Did you have any issues with the koi getting scraped on the shelves? For the most part they are round and smooth, but some of the ribs on the bottom create a relatively sharp edge.

[KoiRun]

Similar to what others have suggested here. On this YouTube channel linked below this gentleman have used this type of shelf for years. He put beautiful plants on top of it. Koi seem to like to winter under it. I think he keeps his pump(s) on one of the shelves which is a good safety measure in case a pipe leaks preventing the emptying of the whole pond.

https://youtu.be/1UzpvjxL4Dg

[gray cat]

Nice video. I like that the shelf is black and has rounded corners.

[REVIV]

Okay, thanks for the suggestions. I went with the plastic shelving. I customized the legs to get the height I want and spread out the load on the liner. I was also trying to minimize congestion underneath for fish, debris, or access to clean. My pond is 54" deep so I went for a 30" stand height that I can set a lily pot on.

[gray cat]

Looks great. Thanks for the info. Please posts pics when you have it set up in your pond. Love to know what water lily you are planting.

[BWG]

That is a nice and functional stand.

[REVIV]

Okay, so I am lucky to live near Tony Moore Lillies and got some from him.

Pink Lotus

[REVIV]

Now I am working on my natural pond - a blank canvas