A real garden pond requires a lot of care and of course the right location. Your garden doesn't have much space, but you still don't want to miss out on a small watering hole? Then just use a zinc tub. On this page you will find valuable tips for creating, designing and planting a mini pond.
How do I create a pond in a zinc tub?
To create a mini pond in a zinc tub, you need a flat surface, pond liner, gravel, stones, plant baskets and suitable plants. The tub should be in partial shade and receive a maximum of 6 hours of sun to avoid excessive algae formation.
Create a mini pond
Required materials
- a zinc tub
- Pond Liner
- a spirit level
- clean gravel and stones
- Plant baskets
- Pond substrate
- Bricks
- if necessary, filter systems or sludge vacuum cleaners
Selection of location
Mini ponds are suitable for balconies, terraces or simply in the middle of the garden. The floor must necessarily be at ground level. You should also not place your zinc tub directly under a tree to avoid cleaning work in the fall. If your mini pond is in the blazing sun, increased algae formation is likely. Your miniature ecosystem should not receive more than six hours of sunshine a day. A semi-shady location is therefore best suited. If you set up your mini pond on the balcony, you must definitely consider the subsequent weight when choosing the size of your zinc tub. Adjust the volume of the static. You should also check the tub for leaks beforehand. These mainly occur on folded and soldered seams.
Instructions
- Level the ground at the chosen location.
- Check your work with a spirit level.
- Line the zinc tub with the pond liner.
- Press the foil firmly in the corners
- Sprinkle a layer of gravel on the ground to increase stability.
- Use the bricks to create small stairs on the edge of the zinc tub.
- Fill the zinc tub with clean water.
Design mini pond
It looks particularly impressive when your mini pond starts to glow at dusk. You can get the diving lamps you need for this (€42.00 on Amazon) at your hardware store. Simply let these slide to the bottom of the zinc tray.
Variant
In addition to the free-standing garden pond in the zinc tub, there is also the option of burying it. The advantage here is that the water does not heat up as much.
Suitable aquatic plants
Suitable planting saves you a lot of work. Many plants filter pollutants out of the water and thus prevent, among other things, the formation of algae. However, you must pay close attention to the recommended planting depth. If the plants are too far out of the water, they will die in the same way as if they do not receive enough air below the water surface. With bricks that you place gradually into the pond, you can build the optimal base.
Plants for 5 cm water depth:
- Juggler's Flower
- Japanese Swamp Iris
- Lizard Tail
Plants for 10 to 15 cm water depth:
- Arrowweed
- Sumofclaw
- Swamp Marigold
Plants for 20 to 25 cm water depth:
- Hedgehog flask
- Frog spoon
Plants for 30 to 40 cm water depth:
- Lotus flower
- Cyprus grass
- Pikeweed
- Water Feather
- Nupharose
Floating Plants:
- Algae Fern
- Frogbite
- Dwarf duckweed
- Swimming fern
- Shell Flower
- Water hose
- Fairy Moss
The dwarf water lily grows directly on the bottom.
