Hey everyone! I'm a woodworker and I've been making garden supplies, mostly using cedar. A customer recently asked me to create a large garden box, and after I had already cut the wood and received a deposit, they mentioned it's for a koi pond. Since water is much heavier than soil, I'm concerned the box might burst under the pressure. The dimensions are currently set at 8x6x4 feet, made with 1-inch thick cedar and with braces every 2 feet. Does anyone have suggestions on how to reinforce this structure to hold the water safely? Thanks a lot!
3 Answers
Using steel straps around the outside could really help reinforce the structure! Just a thought, it might not look great, but it could provide the needed strength. It's something to consider if aesthetics aren't a huge issue for your customer!
The wood itself might hold up, but the corners are critical. They’ll need to be reinforced properly because that’s where failure could occur. Just using screws won't be enough to withstand all that weight for long. You might need some sort of strong joint or brackets to secure the corners effectively.
You might want to reconsider your materials. Water is heavy, about 8 lbs per gallon, and based on the volume of the box, you're looking at over 11,500 lbs of water alone! I suggest using more robust materials like 4x4 legs and a 2x6 subfloor. Plus, don’t forget a pond liner for waterproofing so it stays intact! You may want to consult with a pond expert too. They'll have valuable insights!
Thanks for the insight! I really didn’t think about how much force that weight would apply. I’ll definitely consider talking to a pond company!
Yeah, I was thinking the same! It's functional but might be a bit bulky for a garden aesthetic.