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  1. #1

    Worrying Viewing window bowing - construction problem

    Hi there, have recently had a pond installed by this company (infinitytankuk.com). Have a concerning bow in the glass on the front of the tank when filled. Pond construction is sleepers with the a cut out for the window. These guys have stopped responding to my calls and texts concerningly - have I been tucked up? How concerned should I be?


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  3. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Cant speak from experience but that would have me cleaning my tighty whiteys on a boil wash. That glass dosent look very thick by the photo??

    Why have they done the sleepers upright. To me that just makes weak spots as its the sleepers bowing more than the glass.
    Sleeper pond should be lay flat and staggered like brick work to tie it all in together
    Take it they didn't do a concrete collar and rebar in the sleepers?

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    Last edited by Ajm; 11-04-2021 at 09:30 PM.
    Freddyboy the legend

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    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion samp09's Avatar
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    Agree with Johnathan, looks more like the sleepers are kicking out rather than the glass. How big is the pond and whats the volume? Doesn't look sturdy at all.

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  7. #4
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Nisai harryc's Avatar
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    Not the best pic but doesn’t look like laminated glass which should be a minimum for a pond window.

    The sleepers are kicking out but does still look like the glass is also bowing out.

    Yeah I would be concerned long term.

  8. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Gosai KevT's Avatar
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    Agree with Ajm the sleepers are at their weakest if vertical - my 1st sleeper pond was built on a concrete collar with rebar drilled through the sleepers horizontal and stepped like bricks and I even put 15mm exterior ply inside the pond and screwed these to the sleepers before adding a layer of insulation. How long has the water been in the pond - it definitely looks like its bowing - you may have to drain the water and put an extra layer of timber screwed horizontally around the pond. Maybe putting a metal window frame in front of the glass and again screw it to the sleepers with a piece of wood like a lintel across the top of the glass might work to take some of the stress off the glass. The glass should be approx 21.5mm thick - I think?

    Did they claim to be pond building experts?

    Water pressure is amazingly unforgiving if there is a weakness

    Good luck

    KevT
    Last edited by KevT; 11-04-2021 at 10:07 PM.

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  10. #6
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    My window is 2m long and has a slight bow. This is common in very large marine aquariums also and is not considered a problem.
    I will try to find a pic of mine for you if I can. My pond is 5 years old and has been no issues.
    If there was an issue then I would only have myself to blame because I ordered the glass to my specifications

    Other relevant facts are how big the overlap is with whatever the window is bonded to. In my pond it is over 5cm all the way round so I am very confident the window will remain stable.

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  12. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevT View Post
    Agree with Ajm the sleepers are at their weakest if vertical - my 1st sleeper pond was built on a concrete collar with rebar drilled through the sleepers and I even put 16mm ply inside the pond and screwed these to the sleepers before adding a layer of insulation. How long has the water been in the pond - it definitely looks like its bowing - you may have to drain the water and put an extra layer of timber screwed horizontally around the pond. Maybe putting a metal window frame in front of the glass and again screw it to the sleepers with a piece of wood like a lintel across the top of the glass

    Did they claim to be pond building experts?

    Water pressure is amazingly unforgiving if there is a weakness

    Good luck

    KevT
    Just been on their website mate ponds ponds ponds and not cheap to be dealing this standard out in my eyes

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    Freddyboy the legend

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  13. #8
    Thanks guys - it's giving me real sleepless nights.

    The vertical sleepers you can see is just cladding, the sleepers underneath are horizontal, interlaced.

    Window is about 1.8m long - 5cm+ on either side so not concerned about that. The glass is 12mm thick - which research tells me is too thin.

    I. Built my last two ponds myself, both raised sleepers, but just don't have the time with kids and work - hired these guys who gave me a good spiel. Debating my options now....

  14. #9
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    Yeah 12mm is too thin.
    Mine is made from laminated glass, 2x 12mm panes with a 1.5mm thick lamination layer between them, hardened and heat soaked. For a 2m long window like mine 70cm deep that would be the bare minimum.
    If your glass is not laminated then it is likely to fail at some point I’m afraid

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  16. #10
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    What a nightmare!

    As said above, the glass does need to be thicker and replace before it fails. If the company are no longer responding, personally I would call Tuffx and order a new window per Felines specification (however they will advise too). This will take time so worth supporting the bowing window in the interim...

    I hope you get it sorted satisfactorily.

    Cheers

    Gaz
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  18. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Feel the whole side needs bracing. that timber is on the move like

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    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

  19. #12
    Senior Member Rank = Nanasai Handy Kenny's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ajm View Post
    Feel the whole side needs bracing. that timber is on the move like

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    Johnathan,

    Bracing along the top would be a good idea, you would need to empty the pond and get everything back in line which may not be as simple as it sounds. I would think about lengths of 2 inch box section stainless which would be immensely strong. Even a long length of sleeper along the top and bolted down through the existing structure would stop the bowing.

    Kenny

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  21. #13
    I too have had a look at the website.
    Several things look questionable, but I suspect that if the company did respond you would probably get a "nothing to worry about that's normal" response.

    With regard to the immediate problem it looks as though there is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to stabilise the situation.
    The "copings" appear to be screwed/bolted on so should be easy to remove.
    The restraining force required is lateral so you only need a support that is strong/wide in the lateral plane.
    With this in mind you could buy some decent sized decking board (say 140mm wide by 28mm thick - Wickes).
    This could be screwed right across the top of the timber "walls" (not just immediately over the window) and a batten screwed underneath across the window recess to form a lip to hold the glass back.
    I would fix this decking all round the pond then you could either refix the copings (as you've paid for them) or leave the decking.

    Something like this......click to expand.

    repair.jpg
    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

  22. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Ukzero View Post
    I too have had a look at the website.
    Several things look questionable, but I suspect that if the company did respond you would probably get a "nothing to worry about that's normal" response.

    With regard to the immediate problem it looks as though there is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to stabilise the situation.
    The "copings" appear to be screwed/bolted on so should be easy to remove.
    The restraining force required is lateral so you only need a support that is strong/wide in the lateral plane.
    With this in mind you could buy some decent sized decking board (say 140mm wide by 28mm thick - Wickes).
    This could be screwed right across the top of the timber "walls" (not just immediately over the window) and a batten screwed underneath across the window recess to form a lip to hold the glass back.
    I would fix this decking all round the pond then you could either refix the copings (as you've paid for them) or leave the decking.

    Something like this......click to expand.

    repair.jpg
    In my opinion we are all missing the point customer shud not have to make the pond structualy sound it my be a easy fix but it's the company responsible bet they was quick enough to take the money there's a lot off people at the moment jumping on the bandwagon with pre made pond's have to admit we have looked into this over the last few months and decided to stay with wot we know best EZ have fantastic products you can tell there's a lot of investment in the product
    If it was me would be looking at small claims court
    Regards ken unique fiberglass linning

    Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

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  24. #15
    In principle I agree absolutely, but I have been through the small claims procedure and even though I "won" it wasn't an experience I would like to repeat.
    I guess it depends if there are fish in there and whether the OP wants to risk catastrophic failure in the interim.
    Yes, the best solution would be for the OP to get through to EZ and for them to take action, but I thought I would try and be helpful and offer a possible solution just in case.
    My DIY ponds from 1988 until present day.
    All can be found here:
    https://www.ukzero.com/pond.htm

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  26. #16
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion Ajm's Avatar
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    Temp fix would be on my mind if live stock in there but at the same time drilling and screwing could be a get out or jail free card for them.. Maybe a few 2inch ratchet straps?

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    Freddyboy the legend

    "we are water keepers first"

    Johnathan

  27. #17
    Senior Member Rank = Gosai KevT's Avatar
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    Just wondered if you get a bottom drain and filtration for that sort of money?
    They claim installed in a day - what base are they putting the pond down onto - are the wall secured to the base?
    What sort of liner do they supply - is it 1mm EPDM rubber for long life?

    Agree that the window looks thin and they really should come back and sort the bowing - looks like a design fault - problem will be if there are fish in there and it fails when you're not around

    Does it come with any guarantee or warranty?

    KevT
    Last edited by KevT; 12-04-2021 at 08:41 PM.

  28. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by Ukzero View Post
    In principle I agree absolutely, but I have been through the small claims procedure and even though I "won" it wasn't an experience I would like to repeat.
    I guess it depends if there are fish in there and whether the OP wants to risk catastrophic failure in the interim.
    Yes, the best solution would be for the OP to get through to EZ and for them to take action, but I thought I would try and be helpful and offer a possible solution just in case.
    Hi ukzero please not this is not a EZ pond
    My point is that a lot off companies are trying to give a similar product EZ pond's are a very hi quality product that are produced moulds
    Regards ken unique fiberglass linning

    Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

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  30. #19
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion samp09's Avatar
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    Strange how every pond on their website for sale is empty!

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  32. #20
    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    I found this company on eBay and they only have feedback as a buyer not a seller. They do not look like a good company to be buying from at all really- overpriced items that look of poor quality, very very thin windows, so called customer images none have water in them. I smell a rat

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