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So I have always wanted a goldfish pond, but because I used to move a lot I never bothered. I don’t plan on moving for a while so I decided last year to make one on a small scale for my patio. I saw some great ones made of stock tanks, so I decided to go that route.
I first tried a plastic stock tank, because it was less expensive. However, I found that bowed at the sides when I put water in it and ended up not very deep. After a few weeks I decided I did not like it. Looking around again I found an aluminum tank and I liked it. So, now the plastic tank has been re-purposed as a raised bed elsewhere in my yard.
I got this 85 gallon model at the feed store. I liked it but decided it would look better if it was copper.
I used spray paint to make it copper, but it took FOUR CANS. But I liked it. I added a small inexpensive solar fountain and a bunch of plants. To prevent mosquitoes, I put in a couple of minnows. Here is the 2014 model
This winter some paint came off. Turns out that Rustoleum doesn’t stick to galvanized aluminum. I ended up stripping it and repainting with first primer for galvanized metal, then Rustoleum “Hammered Copper” paint in a can. Not only was it quicker to roll it on, but I used only half of a quart can and it went on thicker and looks nicer!
I added a hanging coco liner basket to hold the marginal plants instead of pots inside the tank. I have some creeping jenny, some lizard’s tail, some cardinal flower lobelia and put some pickerel in a pot on an upside down pot inside. I have small water lilies planted in pots on the bottom.
I wanted a few goldfish, so I made a filter waterfall feature from a ceramic pitcher I found at a thrift store. I used a solar pump to power it as I don’t have an outlet nearby. I’m pretty happy with it. I hope my lilies flower soon!
I first tried a plastic stock tank, because it was less expensive. However, I found that bowed at the sides when I put water in it and ended up not very deep. After a few weeks I decided I did not like it. Looking around again I found an aluminum tank and I liked it. So, now the plastic tank has been re-purposed as a raised bed elsewhere in my yard.
I got this 85 gallon model at the feed store. I liked it but decided it would look better if it was copper.
I used spray paint to make it copper, but it took FOUR CANS. But I liked it. I added a small inexpensive solar fountain and a bunch of plants. To prevent mosquitoes, I put in a couple of minnows. Here is the 2014 model
This winter some paint came off. Turns out that Rustoleum doesn’t stick to galvanized aluminum. I ended up stripping it and repainting with first primer for galvanized metal, then Rustoleum “Hammered Copper” paint in a can. Not only was it quicker to roll it on, but I used only half of a quart can and it went on thicker and looks nicer!
I added a hanging coco liner basket to hold the marginal plants instead of pots inside the tank. I have some creeping jenny, some lizard’s tail, some cardinal flower lobelia and put some pickerel in a pot on an upside down pot inside. I have small water lilies planted in pots on the bottom.
I wanted a few goldfish, so I made a filter waterfall feature from a ceramic pitcher I found at a thrift store. I used a solar pump to power it as I don’t have an outlet nearby. I’m pretty happy with it. I hope my lilies flower soon!
Nicely done.
