How to Build a Tarpaulin Fish Pond for Fish Farming

Knowing how to build a tarpaulin fish pond is essential before starting a fish farming business. Tarpaulin ponds are among the most commonly used options for raising fish.

You may wonder why you should use a tarpaulin to build a fish farming pond, since a pond does not have to be made with tarpaulin; other methods or materials can also be used.

The advantages of a tarpaulin pond over other types of ponds lie in how it is built: it is relatively cheap, the fish do not take on a muddy smell, it is protected from flooding, and water quality is protected from disease outbreaks.

Choosing the Fish for a Tarpaulin Fish Pond

To start a fish farming business, first decide which type of fish you will raise in the tarpaulin pond, because not every species placed in a tarpaulin pond will be suitable and survive. One example of a fish that cannot live in a tarpaulin pond is the eel, because it lives and breeds in mud ponds.

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Pond Height

A tarpaulin pond must be built high enough to be safe from predators. The height of the pond also prevents fish from jumping out, since fish often tend to leap out of ponds. So make sure the pond is tall enough.

Pond Frame Strength

A tarpaulin pond is naturally built using a frame. To carry the weight of the water, the frame must be strong and sturdy so the filled pond does not collapse or break while in use.

Pond Ground Conditions

The ground where the tarpaulin pond is placed must be level, with no sharp stones or sharp objects around the pond. This avoids leaks and fatal damage to the tarpaulin pond. Iron frames are also not recommended, because they usually rust easily. Cement or bamboo is recommended instead.

Water Drain

The tarpaulin pond should have a water drain to make it easier to change the water when the pond gets dirty. Good, clean water quality can be the key to success in fish farming, so a drain really is important.

Read Also: The Difference Between Pond Tarpaulin and Geomembrane for Shrimp / Fish Ponds

Types of Tarpaulin Ponds

Above-Ground Tarpaulin Pond

An above-ground tarpaulin pond is more practical to build, because no excavation or hole is needed to place the tarpaulin in the ground, and building it above ground also protects it from flooding. The drawback of an above-ground pond is that if the structure is not sturdy enough, it can easily burst and break, so a strong structure such as cemented brick or AAC block is recommended.

In-Ground Tarpaulin Pond

Building a tarpaulin pond in the ground, by digging, has the advantage of being less prone to damage than an above-ground tarpaulin pond. The pond water temperature is also more stable, because the surrounding soil stabilizes the heat. Its drawback is that it floods easily, so fish may escape from the pond. Building a tarpaulin pond this way is also fairly difficult compared with an above-ground tarpaulin pond.