Create a mini pond in a zinc tub

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Table of contents

  • The location is crucial
  • The right planting saves work
  • Plant the edge of the zinc tub
  • The mini pond in the zinc tub has its own ecosystem
  • A nice place to relax
  • Little effort leads to success
  • Worth knowing about mini ponds shortly

Of course, the zinc tub should be tight, or if that is not the case, it can also be lined with pond liner. It is important that the location is chosen so that the tub is also secure. This is particularly relevant for balconies, where they have to withstand the stress of water, stones and plants. Of course, this also applies to the garden, because a soft subsoil would then possibly give way.

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The location is crucial

Before you can start, the location should be chosen well. It is best not to place the zinc tub under trees or bushes, otherwise the small mini pond will have to be cleaned of fallen leaves too often. A location directly in the sun is also not necessarily recommended, as this causes too much algae to form. A little sun doesn't hurt, but not all day long. About 6 hours a day is ideal, which means that the pond is not full of algae so quickly. When the right location has been found, the stones should be inserted. A layer of a mixture of sand and gravel is suitable for this. Small steps loosen up the picture and planting is easier afterwards. This can easily be done with bricks.

The right planting saves work

By choosing the right plants, the formation of algae can be avoided to a large extent. These plants include waterweed, pondweed and needleweed. These plants bring oxygen into the water and thus prevent algae from forming. This also saves a water pump, which means that the zinc tub can be parked in the ideal place. Because there is no need for a power connection, nor is there any maintenance work. To do this, it is best to lay out the planters with fleece and then put some pond soil on top. So that the soil cannot be washed away, it is best to cover the plants with gravel. The underwater plants such as the waterweed make the start. Because this plant produces oxygen, it ensures a balanced ratio in the zinc tank.

Plant the edge of the zinc tub

Finally, the edge of the zinc tub is planted with marsh or wet plants. These include, for example, the watercress or the fir fronds. These also grow around the edge of the zinc tub, turning the mini pond into a green oasis. If algae should form despite proper planting, pond snails can quickly deal with this problem. However, these small ponds are usually unsuitable for fish, as these would lead to algae again. A few splashes of color can still conjure up mini water roses. This flower can also be placed in a basket in the small pond. This is how an old zinc tub becomes a real eye-catcher, especially if it is divided into different zones like a natural pond.

The mini pond in the zinc tub has its own ecosystem

water lily dragonfly

With the right planting, this small pond is its own ecosystem that needs nothing more. It is important that small steps are installed, since the plants also have different requirements. All plants can be planted in baskets and are therefore easy to care for, especially if the pond needs to be cleaned. In this way, all plants can be removed quickly and easily from the mini pond. Because every now and then leaves or other dirt get into the water and then cleaning is important. Otherwise it can lead to unpleasant odors that are so easy to avoid. You also have to check the water level because it evaporates. Because the plants need water, because this is their habitat. Some is always lost through evaporation, unless it has just rained heavily.

A nice place to relax

Such a small pond in the zinc tub creates a nice place to relax. Mainly through the right selection of plants, then without any technology. Simply create a little paradise with nature. Of course, the birds will also discover this small pond, because they can drink here. But this is exactly the beauty of nature, because the pond with its own ecosystem is good for everyone. Such a small pond can also be planted in old flower pots, as well as in the zinc tub. Of course, you should always check first whether the container is watertight. If not, simply lay out the pond liner first and then the gravel that has been mixed with sand. It is also important that there are small steps in the pond, as each plant requires a different water level. The pond is then colored by the water lilies, because these are available in the most dazzling colors.

Little effort leads to success

With just a few steps, anyone can create a pond in the zinc tub. All the important tools such as pond liner, gravel and sand are available in the various hardware stores. Just like the bricks, through which the different plants can be used. The right location is also important, because too much sun promotes algae growth. This ecosystem cannot tolerate more than 6 hours a day. Therefore, penumbra is the optimal location, which of course benefits people. Nobody then needs chemical agents to keep the pond clean. Unfortunately, such a pond in the zinc tub is too small for fish. But other animals will quickly discover it and fill it with life. A small oasis of absolute peace.

Worth knowing about mini ponds shortly

You don't need an extensively equipped garden pond so that you can be tempted to dream by the gentle splashing of water during spring or summer. Thus, the mini pond represents a real alternative to the biotope. Even in the smallest of spaces, it is an attractive eye-catcher and also offers space for a wide variety of animal and plant inhabitants.

Advantages of a zinc tub

In principle, almost any vessel can be used to create a mini pond. In general, wine barrels or discarded, spacious flower pots are very popular for this purpose. But a zinc tub is also a real eye-catcher in any case.

  • Due to its slightly bluish to silver coloration, it looks great in many outdoor areas.
  • It is only important that the zinc container is waterproof and has a minimum height of about 20 to 50 cm.

Tip:

Even a discarded zinc tub that is leaking in one place or another could be converted into a mini pond. The solution is to carefully lay out the tub with pond liner!

Construction of a mini pond

  • Depending on the planned size of the mini pond, it is advisable to determine the respective load before placing it on the balcony.
  • Because the fact is that the water, the plants and the stones together can certainly generate a considerable weight.
  • If possible, the zinc tub should not be placed under a tree because of possible falling leaves.

The water would become polluted too quickly, which would result in premature cleaning work. It is also worth knowing that a sunny location is not necessarily an advantage. Because in this way the formation of algae is promoted. An aspect that has always been a thorn in the side of many pond owners. Because this could mean the "off" for some plants. In addition, excessive algae growth significantly affects the appearance of the mini pond.

Plant life in the zinc tub

Nature often knows how to help itself. Of course, this also applies to the mini pond in the zinc tub. For example, to avoid the additional installation of a water pump (to save costs and any excluding repair work) it makes sense to use oxygen-giving aquatic plants right from the start to use.

In this regard, for example, the needleweed, the waterweed or the pondweed should be mentioned. Equally popular highlights are the water iris or the pine frond. Other visual “tidbits” in a mini pond are the red, pink or white water lilies. Experienced pond owners mainly use arrowhead or pikeweed to equip their mini pond.

Tip:

If you plant the plants separately in a water-permeable flower pot, you can certainly save a lot of work when cleaning the "paradise in the zinc tub" later on.

author garden editorial

I write about everything that interests me in my garden.

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