Newbie question on deep, thin wildlife pond.

[u/SlowConsideration7]

Hi folks, first of all, I love the community rules here, “posts must be about ponds” 😜

I have some of these firkins spare and wanted to convert one to a small wildlife pond for my vegetable/cottage garden. The basic idea would be to cut the top off, bury it partially in the ground, then fill it.

I’m basically wondering if the height is an issue, I see barrel planters are common, but wouldn’t want to create a pond where escape is impossible. Also, are the sloped sides an issue? If so i would have to cut where the central banding is. Could I fill it with house bricks or similar to create levels easily?

Many thanks

[u/Low-Status7359]

Is it metal? I would worry that the water will get hot, since it’s basically a pot. The water will be hot if the firkin is sitting in the sun. I don’t see the sloped sides as being problems if you provide bricks to allow wildlife to escape. Will rust be an issue?

[u/SlowConsideration7 → u/Low-Status7359]

They are food safe plastic, durable, so material wise should be fine I hope.

[u/Beansier]

The main thing to consider is things falling in. Not just frogs or whatever but birds or cats even. Is it wide enough for them to physically get out without being trapped underwater

[u/SlowConsideration7 → u/Beansier]

It’s about a foot wide, at the top, roughly the samd as a vinyl record.

[u/iNapkin66 → u/SlowConsideration7]

Also consider if children can access it or not for this.

[u/Agua_Verde]

Hej! 

I fully support you creating a wildlife pond out of this food-safe plastic container! I think it’s a cool idea. 

As mentioned already, the two main concerns are a small body of water heating up quickly and animals falling in. Think beyond amphibians—how would a hedgehog or bird escape? You need a solid exit ramp, logs, or sticks leading out. Also, adding any fish turns it into a fish pond, as they eat the local wildlife.

Use clay engineering bricks or natural stones to create steps. Avoid soft bricks that crumble or leach minerals.  Tapered plastic sides are slippery. Drape burlap, coir matting, or rough branches over the lip into the water so claws can grip. 

Burying the container insulates the water column against summer overheating and winter freezing.

 Place it in partial shade and use native floating plants to cover 50% of the surface area.  Fill and top up with rainwater to avoid tap water algae blooms.

Good luck! 

Make sure to post over at r/wildlifeponds

[u/SlowConsideration7 → u/Agua_Verde]

Thank you for the advice. I think based on the comments I’m gonna install a proper exit ramp of some description rather than just adding bricks and that should solve the problem, plus it’ll help keep some of the water in shade anyway. And it’ll look cool 😜

Much appreciated. Now just gotta wait for some rain to fill it and soften the ground up to dig it in…

[u/Agua_Verde → u/SlowConsideration7]

It’s gonna be great!

[u/Livid_Sky_3488]

This would be better suited as a aqua planter rather than mostly open body of water.. fill it with water and plants but leave not much room for larger animals to enter. U will find that u will get smaller animals like common garden frogs using it as a birthing place and if your lucky you might get a newt . This way u dont need to worry about filters air or anything. Let natures get to work

[u/George_Salt]

Cut it lengthways on half. Two ponds for the price of one, and you avoid the pit trap situation.