The pond walls will be rendered along with the filter pillars. The area between the pillars will have decking panels that will be fastened to baterns that will bring then out leaving about an 1" of the pillar showing.
You are correct that it is sat on a wodden shelf but what you can not see from the pics is that the shelf is made up of 14 2x4's bolted together with 1" thick ply on the top. This has been there since last july with no issues. The straps in he middle are just for piece of mind.
Hi, I would have done it with help from my Dad,( boat builder) if I could have purchased the materials in that quantity. You can only get large quantities if you are in the trade. My local koi shop put me intouch with Gary Slater, who glassed the pond for £650 and did it in a day. I was very pleased with his work and finnished to a high standard. if you need to,you can contact him on either. Tel: 01322866185 home Or 07859021214 mob. cheers neil