Garden pond from a plastic stock tank?

[crazzzymike13]

I'm wanting to build a pond in my backyard, but looking at how much a fiberglass pond shell cost is making me think there is a cheaper way. I saw a plastic stock water tank at the feed store and I bet it would work. Has anyone ever tried this? I see some people use them for above ponds, but I want to put this in the ground. I also know I can buy a liner for a pond but I hear that it does not take long for them to leak.

 

[bj taylor]

you can absolutely use a plastic stock tank. what works best for me is sink it in the ground. make 1000% sure it's level. use whatever you want to make it pretty on the surround. in the bottom, i put (depending on size of stock tank) 4-6 inches of sand. this goes a long way to keeping things clean as natural bacteria & such set up housekeeping & eat the organic matter. once a year it needs to be cleaned out. set your pump about half way to the top so it doesn't suck debris from the bottom & get clogged too easily. putting it in a bio filter is always a good idea too.
fill it with water, run your pump for a few days, set your plants & run for a few days, then add your fish (if you're having fish).

the edge needs to be covered w/boulders or whatever because the pvc will break down in the sun sooner than you want it to.

let us know how it goes.

 

[Carol Dee]

YES, my father has the sweetest little fish pond complete with water fall that he used a stock tank for. I will look for a photo and post it soon.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Yes my MIL has an amazing setup with multiple ponds made from stock tanks, that are recessed into the ground. She's been very sucessful with fish, frogs, and turtles in them. She has the edge of a wooden patio/porch structure right up along part of it, and rocks and plants all around the rest, you hardly even notice that its a stock tank. Oh and she's in a hotter climate than i am, and built a pergola over the whole thing to keep the water cooler.

 

[crazzzymike13]

Awesome! Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[canesisters]

This is an option too:

 

[Nyboy]

I got mine off craigs list for $25 . I see them on there all the time. People buy them see how much work they can be, and get rid of them.

 

[Nyboy]

If you live somewhere cold some stock tanks come with heaters.

 

[Carol Dee]

Here is my 86 year old Father's fish pond. He put it in last summer...all by himself.
(It needs more rock to hide edge but great-grandchildren just keep knocking them in!)
It is not showing up real good but there is a bubbling water fall at the left end.
Have fun creating your own water feature.

 

[NwMtGardener]

My mother-in-law's beautiful backyard and pond. She and her BF did everything themselves...including the cool circular wooden shade over the top of the pond.