If by tropical you mean zone 8+ you are going to absolutely despise the maintenance time investment for algae control particularly if you don't want to chlorinate. You are basically making a swamp and then trying to keep it clean. If you have any dead circulation spots you are also going to have fun with mosquitoes.
There is a reason everyone in Florida builds their water features into pools :)
Ponds are slightly more practical but even then you really need to think about a gunnite shell to prevent floating if you live somewhere with a high water table (if you live in FL this is likely you). It's not impossible to do with a liner but you will need it to be deep with lots of rock to keep it weighted.
Effective_Roof2026 t1_iudg5so wrote
Reply to Noob seeking advice on building artificial stream in my backyard (tropical climate) by deletedbear
If by tropical you mean zone 8+ you are going to absolutely despise the maintenance time investment for algae control particularly if you don't want to chlorinate. You are basically making a swamp and then trying to keep it clean. If you have any dead circulation spots you are also going to have fun with mosquitoes.
There is a reason everyone in Florida builds their water features into pools :)
Ponds are slightly more practical but even then you really need to think about a gunnite shell to prevent floating if you live somewhere with a high water table (if you live in FL this is likely you). It's not impossible to do with a liner but you will need it to be deep with lots of rock to keep it weighted.