New user with galvanised trough

[Jazzkitten]

Hi all
I've just bought a rectangular galvanised trough to make into a pond.
I wanted to ask advice because the outside of the trough is galvanised and has a nice patina but the inside is rusty.
Before I start filling with water/plants etc, should I do something about the rust, or will it not make any difference?
In other words, do I need to coat the inside of the tank with a protective layer, or have a black pondliner inside it?
Any help appreciated. I can't wait to get started stocking my pond with plants!
Thanks in advance
W

 

[Rugar458]

I had a bad reaction with galvanized stock tanks and baby koi. The oxidation of the metal was killing my fish. I switched bake to the rubbermaid tank and all is well. I will line the galvanized tank with a edpm liner the next time I keep fish in it.

 

[Lisak1]

Yup - you'll need to line it for sure.

 

[j.w]

I have one and I put holes in the bottom and then lined it w/epdm and have my duckweed growing in there so I can dole it out to my fish piggies

 

[Jazzkitten]

I have one and I put holes in the bottom and then lined it w/epdm and have my duckweed growing in there so I can dole it out to my fish piggies

View attachment 160833

that is so gorgeous!

x

 

[j.w]

that is so gorgeous!

x

 

[Mmathis]

Are you going to have plants only…..no fish?

 

[GBBUDD]

I have one and I put holes in the bottom and then lined it w/epdm and have my duckweed growing in there so I can dole it out to my fish piggies

View attachment 160833

I never saw that pond before that is amazing @j.w

 

[j.w]

I never saw that pond before that is amazing @j.w

@GBBUDD
It's just a nice little spot to keep the duckweed growing

 

[HariJo]

Hi, similar question to the lady above but struggling to work out the answer from these forums/online/books.

I want to make my first pond out of a metal trough (about 1m length, by 50cm width), just plants, no fish. I left some water in it to test if it would rust and it did, which makes me think it is not galvanised.

Should I line or paint the insides to prevent more rust and disintegration of the pond? I can see some people use 'waterproofing paint' and some 'marine epoxy' paint but not sure which, if any, are necessary and appropriate.

Thank you in advance. It's confusing!

 

[Stephen Noble]

Welcome to the forum!
The dimensions concern me regarding the surface area. It is roughly 3 feet long by just over 1 1/2 feet wide. Is this just going to be a wildlife pond and no fish? You might try what @j.w did (above). It sounds like your trough is older. Rust is a problem and has to be completely eliminated (sanded or chemically treated) otherwise it will return. Paint will not adhere well to rust. A liner is the best bet.

 

[j.w]

What's new

@HariJo
I just have a rubber liner in a dug out hole, easier than dealing w/a trough. I had the liner in the metal trough first, galvanized and I didn't like it so I took it out and put the liner just in the dirt. That photo above is a mistake as it was taken after I removed the metal trough.

 

[HariJo]

Thank you both - will give the liner a try.