Victorian water cistern

[Karlos]

Hi, during some building works we have uncovered a brick underground Victorian rainwater cistern.

We are still clearing it out (had rubble put in) it’s probably about 2m deep maybe 1.5 at its widest is shaped a bit like a ball I guess. The opening is only about .6m diameter.

It is currently dry but will hold a lot of water. The question is; with the water volume would the surface area be too small for fish?

Thanks

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

A few pictures might help.

 

[j.w]

and welcome @Karlos

 

[JRS]

Welcome! You are correct in the surface area being a limiting factor. Would you have to fill it all the way to the top? Lower would give more area for oxygen exchange. With that small of an opening would you be able to see much of anything?

 

[Karlos]

Welcome! You are correct in the surface area being a limiting factor. Would you have to fill it all the way to the top? Lower would give more area for oxygen exchange. With that small of an opening would you be able to see much of anything?

Thanks,

I had considered filling only say half way, the issue with that I would guess is that we wouldn’t get much sun on it, plants wouldn’t do well. Even if did it’s a long reach to get anything out/in!
We will be putting a pump in and likely a waterfall feature along with a filter. I anticipate putting a shelf in for planting.

 

[YShahar]

Hi, during some building works we have uncovered a brick underground Victorian rainwater cistern.

We are still clearing it out (had rubble put in) it’s probably about 2m deep maybe 1.5 at its widest is shaped a bit like a ball I guess. The opening is only about .6m diameter.

It is currently dry but will hold a lot of water. The question is; with the water volume would the surface area be too small for fish?

Thanks

Sounds like you could use it as the reservoir for a pondless water feature of some sort. You could put a pump in it, maybe with some aquablocks to keep the pump off the bottom. Then dig your water feature nearby and add a liner that drains into the cistern.

 

[Lisak1]

I agree with @YShahar - put a bubbling urn or boulder on top and make an interesting water feature!

 

[GBBUDD]

Hi, during some building works we have uncovered a brick underground Victorian rainwater cistern.

We are still clearing it out (had rubble put in) it’s probably about 2m deep maybe 1.5 at its widest is shaped a bit like a ball I guess. The opening is only about .6m diameter.

It is currently dry but will hold a lot of water. The question is; with the water volume would the surface area be too small for fish?

Thanks

more than likely it will have cracks and no longer holds water as it is if i had to guess a brick build.
but to answer your question just make the fish at full grown be comparable to the size of the pond