Patio pond update

[GreenCircleGirl]

I wanted to add an update with this pond. Note to self - do NOT choose galvanized water troughs. First, it leaked. Second, most of the fish and snails died. Third, the floating water plants developed a sickly green color and failed to thrive. Though it is intended to be used for animals to drink out of, it must leach out something toxic into the water. It also rusted in spots within a few months. The bigger Rubbermaid stock tank is much better. The plants and fish are thriving. 
 

 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

The pond and your whole entire garden is beautiful.

[Patrick_G]

Looks amazing. Your Hydrangea are beautiful, especially the Oakleaf! 

[Nz1986]

Awesome info.

[Cleveland M]

That is gorgeous. Pictures like that are going to add MPS to my MTS😉

[PineSong]

Looks lovely. My understanding is that the galvanized tanks leach zinc when new, but after they have held water for a year or two are less dangerous.

[Markp2483]

Just built a 100gal galvanised pond.  Coated the inside in pond shield and added a water fountain similar to deans muck bucket design.  Get around 110gal per hr per spout so 220. Now to planting 

[nabokovfan87]

On 8/24/2022 at 12:41 AM, GreenCircleGirl said:

The plants and fish are thriving. 

Given how the garden looks, I can only imagine how well the pond will accent the surroundings for you.  Beautiful work all around. 

[TJOBrien]

On 8/24/2022 at 12:41 AM, GreenCircleGirl said:

I wanted to add an update with this pond. Note to self - do NOT choose galvanized water troughs. First, it leaked. Second, most of the fish and snails died. Third, the floating water plants developed a sickly green color and failed to thrive. Though it is intended to be used for animals to drink out of, it must leach out something toxic into the water. It also rusted in spots within a few months. The bigger Rubbermaid stock tank is much better. The plants and fish are thriving. 
 

 

I have a few questions as I just got some stock tanks and have seen many people use them successfully.

Did you buy this new?

If new, did you clean it well with a degreaser?

Did you allow time with water to sit in it then drain and refill before adding plants/fish?

Did it rust on the inside or the outside? (I ask to see if it was contact with air and dirt, or water inside. I see a lot of people putting drainage rock under these to prevent ground rust.)

 

Thanks!  😊 

[Markp2483]

Purchased new from lowes, cleaned with degreaser, sanded, wiped down and applied pond armor.

I put my on some gravel with some large paver's 

Added plants as soon as I could.  Fish when i saw there was some nitrate in the water about a month after.  Here's what it looks like today. Winter is starting to kill the larger plant but should come back in the spring.  Have white clouds, rice fish, 2 giant dojo loaches and a bunch of cherry shrimp and snails. I thought the dojo loaches would eat all the shrimp but they are super lazy 

 

[tike]

That is really cool!! What part of the U.S. are you located?

[Markp2483]

Southern California,  it doesn't get super cold maybe down in the 40's a couple of times but winter here is more in the 50's at night and 60's during the day. 

[nabokovfan87]

On 12/22/2023 at 2:39 PM, Markp2483 said:

I call it the cat pond.  Looks awesome!  Nice work.