Pond Liner Toxins

[Biologic 0]

Hello everyone!

I was curious if anyone has ever seen any testing done in aquaponic systems that use pond liner in the grow beds/tanks?  From the research I've seen it is recommended to not use pond liner  due to not being food grade liner.  Although I have visited some well known AP setups and saw them using pond liner.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[ande 716]

Hi Biologic

Welcome to APN/HQ

I'm a bit curious about the research you refere to ?

The question you raise have been disscused on numerous threads before, here are some of those posts :

I would not worry about using a EPDM liner

 

cheers

Edited February 8 by ande (see edit history)

[Biologic 0]

Thanks for posting the links.  I suppose reasearch is the wrong term.  Just from what I've read online and in AP books it seems like a gray area and hoping to find something concrete on it

[vkn 306]

Have a look at this too.. http://www.cngfarming.org/aquaponics

And here.. https://certified.naturallygrown.org/documents/AP_Allowed_Prohibited.pdf

In their draft aquaponics standards, EPDM liners (ethylene propylene diene monomer) *discouraged.

[ande 716]

Hi

Interesting.

Wonder what they base it on ?

Here is a comparison on EPDM vs HDPE liners, from shrimp producers http://www.shrimpnews.com/FreeReportsFolder/The Shrimp List/Comparing Pond LinersEPDMorHDPE.html

 

cheers

[Cecil 586]

I think EPDM are fine as long as you scrub them down or age in water before using. As was eluded to in the research they may come with anti sticking agents etc. 

I know shrimp farmers that use Intex pools and don't even scrub them and claim they have never had any issues. 

 

I've used Intex pools for holding fish while seining and did not have any issues. 

Edited February 15 by Cecil (see edit history)

[jet 16]

Slow response sorry

Firestone EPDM, (Pondgard and Geogard) until recently carried NSF rating, however only really valid in US and it needs to be renewed every few years at significant cost.

As a result its no longer provided. 

Be aware of roofing versions as they can have fire retardants included.

I believe plastics like HDPE still carries this standard however there are hundreds of versions and manufacturers. Each formulation should carry its own rating and tests. Similar for PVC

All thermoplastics contain plasticisers and UV protectants which leach out over time. Most water supplies contain lots of these plastic materials.

[Cecil 586]

I bought some roofing EPDM from a local big box store a few years ago and it had in white letters, "Safe for Aquatic Use."

[Biologic 0]

9 hours ago, Cecil said:

I bought some roofing EPDM from a local big box store a few years ago and it had in white letters, "Safe for Aquatic Use."

Interesting,  which big box store if you don't mind me asking?  I'm building a pondless waterfall at my brothers house and was thinking of testing roofing liner due to no fish or plants in it..and he is trying to keep costs down as much as possible and is on board with roofing liner if cheaper.  I'm curious if it would say the same in my area.

 

thanks for all the replies so far!  Still digging through all this looking for solid answers

[Cecil 586]

8 hours ago, Biologic said:

Interesting,  which big box store if you don't mind me asking?  I'm building a pondless waterfall at my brothers house and was thinking of testing roofing liner due to no fish or plants in it..and he is trying to keep costs down as much as possible and is on board with roofing liner if cheaper.  I'm curious if it would say the same in my area.

 

thanks for all the replies so far!  Still digging through all this looking for solid answers

It was Menards in Goshen, IN. Was at least 6 years ago so hopefully they have not changed suppliers, which is common for big box stores. It came in 6 foot wide rolls IIRR. 

OTOH, I'm not convinced roofing EPDM in general is toxic, and isn't the same as the stuff sold by pond suppliers. Perhaps some of the pond suppliers don't want you to purchase it cheaper elsewhere? God knows some of them have some serious markups especially in the aeration systems.  In the least some scrubbing might be done to play it safe. 

I did recently purchase a piece 15ft. X 15ft. 45 mil of EPDM for ponds from Ebay to line my well pit, and it was reasonable with free shipping at $185.72. 

Edited May 20 by Cecil (see edit history)