Thanks for the pic pokhim. Dove from above may be right in suggesting that overheating may be a problem to consider. I wasn't aware you had planned to have so much metal showing. The grasses will provide some shade but the metal will conduct heat to the extent that you may deoxygenate the water on a hot day. Have you considered piling large rocks against the sides? This would act as a buffer against the direct sunlight and provide nooks and crannies for amphibians and insects to hid in. You could plant sedum in some of the gaps to make it look more natural.
Oh no...well I bought it because I like the look of it as its industrial. Digging it in further wont go with the look of my garden..BUT...I think u might be right.. I guess ill hace to dig it in some more and have a less steep ramp...
Just a thought pokhim, and it might be bit of a faff, but, could you line the inside of the tank instead?
I have some galvanised containers and I had lilies in them for years. I lined them with polystyrene from packaging to stop the roots getting fried as they were in a sunny site. It was about an inch thick. Perhaps you could think of something along those lines and then put a liner in to cover it.
You could also position a really good, sizeable foliage plant to shield it from the worst of the midday sun as well. Phormium maybe, to fit with your scheme?
Two pronged attack
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
So here is the ramp and the pond so far.. I laid turf all down this weekend.
I am going ahead with buying a reed and waterlilly, will fill one side with bricks and maybe an old log of wood from my house build... That should allow easier access and escape for animals...
I need to get some rocks and I want a large flat one which i'll lay at the top edge of the tank with brick underneath supporting it; the flat rock will be partially submerged. This should allow the frogs and perhaps birds to bath in the shallows waters.
I havent filled it up yet!! I'm a bit nervous about filling it all up and getting it right!
Where do i get pond rocks from? I only need a few...I live in east London btw.
Any rocks will do. I've got a shelf in my pond made from red house bricks. The Creeping Jenny at the side of my pond covers it, so you can't see that they are bricks.
Best to let it fill up with rainwater naturally over time, Tap water often contains chloramines which are toxic to lots of pond life. Chlorine is OK as it evaporates but chloramines don't. Tap water also contains so many nutrients that it promotes algal growth.
Hows the tank been now its over wintered and we have had some hot weather recently?
I found this thread as I have an old water tank sitting in my garden that I was thinking of making into a raised pond but mine is rather rusty.................. I love the look of yours but am a little worried about the water getting too hot!
AAh - a good idea. I am just starting a Square Foot Garden and was wondering if I used the tank as well what I could grow in it if I don't use it as a pond!
Posts
Thanks for the pic pokhim. Dove from above may be right in suggesting that overheating may be a problem to consider. I wasn't aware you had planned to have so much metal showing. The grasses will provide some shade but the metal will conduct heat to the extent that you may deoxygenate the water on a hot day. Have you considered piling large rocks against the sides? This would act as a buffer against the direct sunlight and provide nooks and crannies for amphibians and insects to hid in. You could plant sedum in some of the gaps to make it look more natural.
Oh no...well I bought it because I like the look of it as its industrial. Digging it in further wont go with the look of my garden..BUT...I think u might be right.. I guess ill hace to dig it in some more and have a less steep ramp...
Just a thought pokhim, and it might be bit of a faff, but, could you line the inside of the tank instead?
I have some galvanised containers and I had lilies in them for years. I lined them with polystyrene from packaging to stop the roots getting fried as they were in a sunny site. It was about an inch thick. Perhaps you could think of something along those lines and then put a liner in to cover it.
You could also position a really good, sizeable foliage plant to shield it from the worst of the midday sun as well. Phormium maybe, to fit with your scheme?
Two pronged attack
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
So here is the ramp and the pond so far.. I laid turf all down this weekend.
I am going ahead with buying a reed and waterlilly, will fill one side with bricks and maybe an old log of wood from my house build... That should allow easier access and escape for animals...
It actually looks much better with the slope - more incorporated.
Are frogs able to get out as well? Got any lilly pads they can use to launch from?
We'll just have to see about the heat conducting issue on hot days. The slope will help- let us know how you get on.
Thanks for your reply!
I need to get some rocks and I want a large flat one which i'll lay at the top edge of the tank with brick underneath supporting it; the flat rock will be partially submerged. This should allow the frogs and perhaps birds to bath in the shallows waters.
I havent filled it up yet!! I'm a bit nervous about filling it all up and getting it right!
Where do i get pond rocks from? I only need a few...I live in east London btw.
Any rocks will do. I've got a shelf in my pond made from red house bricks. The Creeping Jenny at the side of my pond covers it, so you can't see that they are bricks.
Best to let it fill up with rainwater naturally over time, Tap water often contains chloramines which are toxic to lots of pond life. Chlorine is OK as it evaporates but chloramines don't. Tap water also contains so many nutrients that it promotes algal growth.
Hi Pokhim,
Hows the tank been now its over wintered and we have had some hot weather recently?
I found this thread as I have an old water tank sitting in my garden that I was thinking of making into a raised pond but mine is rather rusty.................. I love the look of yours but am a little worried about the water getting too hot!
Thank you.
I'm just about to fill a tank with soil and grow rhubarb in it... there's a lot of them about!
AAh - a good idea. I am just starting a Square Foot Garden and was wondering if I used the tank as well what I could grow in it if I don't use it as a pond!