I live in western NC--the Smoky Mountains...not far over the Georgia line. We have red clay here.

I FINALLY got someone to sink the old cast-iron bathtub into the ground...now 100 questions....

1. Do i need to put pea rock or something on the bottom or can it be bare?

2. Are floating plants enough? Or do I NEED potted ones...

3. I'm thinking of a water fall thingy--but is that too much work?

I'm such a pond virgin! I know zilch!!!! But I am so excited...this is going to be wonderful!!!!

Thanks allllllllllllllllllllllllll!

I am not sure that I understand question #1.
Are you asking if you need to plug the drain hole in the bottom of the tub?

Welcome to the forum by the way. :)

Ok, I went back and re-read your question. You are asking if you should use pea gravel. Geeze I better go get me some glasses! :lol:

I don't have anything in the bottom of my pond. It isn't a bathtub but I don't see why that would make a difference. It would be easier to clean without the gravel.
Are you going to have any fish?
How deep it the tub about 12 - 15 inches?
I seen a cool looking bathtub on a website a while back. I will see if I can find it and I will post a link.

I so wanted to do this same thing, but my wife said NO WAY!! LOL

I wouldn't put any gravel in the tub. Just make it harder to keep clean.

Floating plants are good, will provide lots of shade, but an oxygenating plant (Elodia, etc) wouldn't hurt. Just stick it in a small pot with some gravel to hold it in place and set it right on the bottom. It will grow up to the surface.

A waterfall may be work, but really adds a lot to a pond as well. It's really up to you.

Are there going to be any fish, etc, in this tub? If so you will need some way to aerate the water (putting oxygen in it for the fish to breath), which a falls will do or a small fountain.

We need some pictures!!

Derrick :D

:D Thanks for answering!!!

Great! I want ease of cleaning---so I will put NO pea rock on the bottom. Good to know. Wonderful.
Yes, I want fish--I've been reading and I guess Native fish would be best???

It really does look and not like a bathtub at all, I have rock all around it.

I'm thinking, tell me if this is a good idea...to put in some chickenwire with some fabric wrapped around it to drap in one side, so small critters can get out if they fall in.

Any advise is SO wecome. [and thanks for my welcome!]

I'll take pixs once I'm through!!!

It's 18" deep. Any fish suggestions???? I live on a mountain surrounded by trees, 2 acres--I'm sure my deer will think it's their watering trough.

Namaste'

Not sure what your winters are like there. Keep in mind that if it gets really cold the water in the tub could freeze solid, killing anything in it. If it gets cold enough to freeze over on the top you can get a small de-icer which will just keep a hole open in the top of the ice to allow for air exchange during the winter. Without some way for air exchange your fish could actually suffocate for lack of oxygen.

Not sure what you have for native fish. Several gold fish would probably do well in it and show up very nicely. They are as hardy as fish can be, so if anything can survive in it, they can. The chicken wire may be a good idea if you have lots of small critters around. The sides of a tub can be very slippery. Expect to get some algae in it, that is natural.

Deer will definitely drink from it if they are around. They will also eat what you put in for plants! And raccoons, mink, weasel, and a host of others will try and get your fish. Nature is wonderful....but also hungry! hahaha You may want to put the chicken wire across the top as well!

Keep us posted for sure!

Derrick

Ok here is a suggestion that I have seen which looks real interesting for a water return to your pond once you add a (in the pond pump and filter) which can be purchased at a Walmart 75-100 gallons per hour should be plenty sufficent. I'm sure you remember the old hand pumps that people had located in their yards for pumping from a well. Locate it next to your pond,and plumb from the bottom. Or just use the tub fill hardware. Have fun with it. :)

PS if you see some strange man in a spedo taking a dip in your new pond, ask him if he play's in a band, if so, your safe it's just R3D3. ;)


FM3

Darn it Froggy, it's so much easier to take a quick dip if they aren't on the look out for me!!! :P

Yeah, I have seen those old hand pumps used as a spitter/fountain and they look quite nice if done properly!

Derrick

Derrick, there you go, I used your seldome used alternate ID and you went and exposed yourself. Your suposed to keep them guessing! Or maybe 911 on the speed dial! :lol:

Thanks
FM#
R3D
tlc

I don't think it would freeze solid, but I don't really know...won't it be okay, if I go out and poke a hole in it??? Used to love to do that as a kid!

Oh so even MORE critters will gather round the old watering hole...just like in Africa...only with all you mentions, bore-hogs, wild turkey, squirrels [mustn't leave them out] piliated wood peckers. and our bear...

I like the pump idea and will look for it at WM...[they're everywhere they're everywhere]...

Can't wait till hubby comes home and sees it. He said I could put it in if I could find a way...[he wasn't really 'for' it]. I did find a way! I found someone and paid them to dig a whole. Then I found I couldn't even LIFT the other end of the old tub...so I called my brother....wont' hubby be so pleased???

1. You can do either. I prefer bare.

2. Enough for what? To keep algae under control? Yes. To satiate your plant-loving desires? Probably not.

3. Simple waterfalls aren't hard if they are confined within the boundaries of the pond (to prevent leaks). If you go outside the tub to try to make a waterfall, it might be troublesome. A fountain is easiest for a tub pond (in your case, literal tub pond).

Don't put chicken wire in the water; it will just rust. I suggest using rocks or vinyl-coated hardware cloth. The coating will prevent rust. I've heard they have vinyl-coated chicken wire but I've never seen it.

I always like to suggest rosy red minnows for so many reasons. They are easy to find as "feeder fish," very hardy, very interesting, and just great fish.

What's a bore-hog? A bored pig? I've had nightmares about bears swimming in my pond. I hope your bear doesn't try to get in! I've never seen our pileated woodpeckers come to any of my ponds or the bird bath.

" Derrick, there you go, I used your seldome used alternate ID and you went and exposed yourself."

Who told you??!!! :P

I think your tub is going to look great! Good point about the wire rusting Robyn. Hadn't thought of that!

Derrick

Uh..."I suggest using rocks or vinyl-coated hardware cloth." Does Lowes have that? I've never heard of it...oh yeah, rust--that's a no no...

Yes, I meant a large wild pig with tusks....

I think I'll get the pump thingy....

I WILL talke a pix when I get her all shipshape!

TenPenyNail, you know you have to post a before pic and an after pic. ;) :)
Tia

Yeah....and we want one of the tub too!!! :lol:

Derrick

I've seen vinyl-coated hardware cloth at the local hardware stores. The big chains may have it.

maybe even something like that snow fencing you can get. Plastic fencing (for those that get no snow! haha)

Darnit! I wish I had a picture of my first little pond to share with you. It was a sunken bathtub too. I will do my best to describe it for you. It was off the corner of our patio, so the patio stones went right up to the front of the tub. I had some nice larger, flattish rocks hanging over the edges around the front and back of the tub. Along the back side of long side of the tub, the rocks were built up to form a little water fall. From the small pump in the bottom of the tub, the plumbing went up under the rocks and the water came out an old fashioned water tap and then the water ran down the rocks into the pond. I had a semi circle garden going around the tub up to the patio stones. I had a wonderful little japanese tree, a couple of shrubs, 3 rose bushes and various other perrenials, like hostas, etc. In the garden I had 3 solar lights and a japanese lantern. I had 2 cast herons in there too. The tub was actually lined with a pond liner. OH MY, I just miss my old place so much :unsure: Have fun with your bathtub pond! Your possibilities are endless and you can make them look very nice!

Hey KK why the liner in the tub am I missing something? Was it not watertight? Color? :blink:

Fm3

Why would you need a liner? Why not just glue the plug in, maybe spray paint the inside black if you wanted it black?

Derrick

Wouldn't the paint peel after a while?

I would just leave it the way it is. They have a look all to themselves. :)

I couldn't find the pic of one that I wanted to post so I will tell you about it. :rolleyes:
They had an above ground claw tub, then had what looked to be an old fashioned shower head that sprayed down into the tub from about 4 or 5 feet above. It was one of those huge showerheads like you would use on an elephant. :) It may be to much for what you want but it did look neat. I like the pumpy thingy that looks like an old time pump your water deal.

I was thinking that the liner would give something for the algae to adhere to.

Could the shiny/slick enamel hold a good coat of algae? Or would it slide off during a water change-out?

Not much that algae doesn't grow on. I think it definitely would in a bath tub. Especially in an old used one. <_<

Fm3

Yep I can testify to the fact that algae will grow on a really used tub and a pretty new one. I used to have those gizzies for my horses many, many moons ago.

Porcelain is a kind of glass. Bathtubs are porcelain coated (unless its acrylic or fiberglass). Does algae "stick" to the inside glass of aquariums? 'Nuf said.

Don

Well Jeez I don't know! Who wants to look at an old white bathtub in the ground?? The black liner just seemed to "go". I think with the black liner it created a deeper, larger look, more au natural ;) My Mom is home today from holidays so I am going to see if she happens to have a picture of it.