galvanized stock tank

[RWinn]

I am wanting to use a galv stock tank for a lilly pond. My plan is to fill part way with dirt and put the lillys in w/o a pot and top off with water. I guess my question is how long do these usually last before they rust out.

[PondmaninAL]

I got mine in 2002 and it is still holding water but all my lilies are in pots. If I get the money in time, I will sandblast it and coat it with Permaflex on the inside and the bottom on the outside.

[Vickie]

I have old stock tanks that are rusted out and I have sunk and put a liner in. You don't have to throw out when they rust too bad later. Here is one

[Desertponder]

I don't think I would put dirt in the bottom of it for several reasons.
If you have any leaks or problems it will be a mess to deal with it. It would be difficult to manage keeping the watergarden clean. You get leaves and decayed plant matter built up as it is and I would think it would eventually make a real mess.
I have two 800 gallon galvanized stock tanks. Mine were given to me used and had pin holes in them. My husband soldered the pin holes. I have a couple of smaller ones that we sealed the outside bottoms with rubberized undercoating, the kind you buy in spray cans at the auto parts stores. The smaller repaired tanks lasted about 3 years before they started springing leaks again so I would think a new one would last longer but it all depends on the conditions they are in too. My two big tanks are on their second year and have not had any problems yet. All my plants are in pots. It just makes it easier to manage plants, keep the tank cleaner, etc.

[Jerry]

Good idea Vickie. one could buy a rusted one for a song I bet!

[Vickie]

Jerry that whole pond was free. Free tank- free liner- free bricks. I had to buy the pump. The vegetable filter I paid $10 for the tub at a garage sale. I love ponds that you get like this.

[Rad Michelle]

vicky that is a great veggie filter do you just have a pump and water going to that back with.. hyacinth and taro in it?

[Jerry]

An amazing "steal" Vickie.

[tranquility]

I'd have to agree with shanna...can you imagine the mess and trouble it would be removing all that mud and lilies if you ever have a leak....

[PondmaninAL]

An amazing "steal" Vickie.

It's also an amazing "steel", Jerry.

[Vickie]

 Rad there is a pump in a filter box with a hose that goes to the vegetable filter. The  vegetable filter has some  plants in pots and others bare root. That year I had taro. watewr canna. lady of the nile and water hyicenths.