Concrete Cattle Trough

Hi Tjs, yes, they can make a fine small "pond" with some water and marginal plants in them. One or two of our members have some really fine examples of container water gardening so I would give it a try. The lime in the concrete of the troughs will have leached away over time so the water will be nice and neutral.

 

You could...............but Fish are eating and excreting machines and in a small container will add nutrients to the water which will encourage algae. So I wouldn't put any Gold Fish etc in it, but you could try say, Minnows, Sticklebacks etc. Plants in a container will help keep the water clear by taking up the excess nutrients although they're not a guarantee.

 

As an afterthought you could also, to interest the nephew, add some tadpoles and watch them develop. I've got Frogs and Newts in my Wildlife pond after adding Tadpoles


and it's great to hear the Frogs croaking away!!

 

Any what???

 

Aaaah, sorry, wasn't sure if you mean Ponds, troughs, Frogs or Newts

Have a look through the threads in this Forum as I haven't personally any in my library but to be honest all container water garden follows the same "rules". Whether the container is concrete, plastic, or wood the constraints are the same. I think you should give it a go and it might be worth your while to have a look in a Charity Shop for any good cheap books on water gardening

 

I'd come around to give you a lift to raise the concrete trough off the ground............but I'm really, really busy..........and will be until you've done it