I have always used the galvanized tanks. I have two very large ones that were used when I got them. They had pin holes in the bottoms but my husband soldered them all up and then he sprays the bottoms with the spray on rubberized undercoating that you can buy at auto parts stores. That seems to work pretty well to help them last. I have had people tell me that doing this will only make them rust out faster but so far that has not been the case. The two tanks have been going for almost 3 years now and they have not sprung any leaks. I don't like the look of the poly tanks and don't really want to spend that much buying landscape blocks or something to cover it up. I spray painted the outside of my galvanized tanks a light tan/dirt color and they blend into the area better. The galvanized tanks will eventually spring leaks but if you can fix them yourself its not that big of deal. The poly tanks may or may not last longer, it just depends. Sometimes they will crack if the tank isn't real level and the weight of the water isn't even. Sometimes they will crack if something hits them pretty hard, such as a rock thrown by a lawnmower.

Hi Have run a 5x10 x3 foot deep pool made of stacked 4x4's since 1982, 18 inches above ground and 18 below. I even used a fiberglass tarp rather than a liner as the original purpose was a place to collect rainwater but evolved into a garden pool over time. Last year I relined not because it was leaking but because it had become overrun with marshmallow and strangler figs lol. Used that opportunity to add a 2x6 foot piece of glass to one side as well as an overflow. Only problem has been that the cap has rotted no matter what material I've used. Went with vinyl fencing to which I was going to add a faux finish as well as tile to the sides but have yet to get around to it. Jury is still out on the glass side .have had no problems with leaks but it faces west, is really too low for good viewing and the plants block that anyway.lol Have yet to come up with a way to clean the glass. Was surprised at the lack of rot in the 4x4's even those below ground. it had settled at one corner but just leveled it again. I think it's good for another 25 years but not sure I am .lol gary

Yes, a small above ground pond would more than likely freeze. Where I'm at, it gets cold (below freezing), then it'll warm up to about 35/40, rain, then drop below freezing again so then we end up with ice everywhere.... This last winter was super mild and quite pleasant, but we go in cycles. We have mild winters then we have cold rainy ones, then cold snowy ones, then cold rainy ones, then mild...and the cycle continues. The nice thing about the location I've picked is that it will be somewhat protected from wind (which is what really gets us up here when it comes to things freezing!), it is somewhat protected from the rain, one side of the pond would be up against the house and the other side up against our porch which would be a bit of a heat source...I know not much but, but enough to help. We have some plants here that if you plant them out in the yard, even if you mulch them, they don't always return, but if you plant them up against the house, they get just enough eat to survive. Sooooo, I am thinking, considering it'd be fairly protected from the elements, if I toss a heater in, I might be able to keep it just above freezing. Plants I don't mind if I have to take them in, I can put them in my fish tank during the winter if there aren't too many. But I would not have room in my tank for pond fish and unless I build a separate mini indoor pond to use in the winter, I won't be able to bring pond fish in. I did consider the bathtub idea. I found one for $30 on craigslist, but the sides of it extend out a bit further than what I want so it would take up too much room on the cement. I'll keep my eye out though for something that might work. I did find a cast iron one but the guy sold it already :( Hubby wasn't excited about that anyways because he doesn't want a heavy tub to move to the backyard, hehe. Keep the ideas rolling! Once I get it done, I'll post up pictures, but it'll probably be awhile. I have summer classes starting in a week and a competition to prep for so I plan on spending the next month or two just keeping my eye out for super cheap items I can use, then after my competition I will see what items I have gathered and hopefully be able to put in the time to build it all.

This is a picture of my 7 year old below and above ground pond.I love my little pond. I have sence changed the Bio filter and installed a 100 gal stock tank with a spillway. I also purchased a larger pump for moving a whole lot more water. The hole i dug into the ground is about waste deep and then what you see is above ground. I figure is around 1500 plus gals of water. Here's a picture of the pond with the new spillway I added last year. There's over 40 plus fish in my little pond. The key to remember is AERATION....... Water exchange is a must.. I have the 100 gal stock full of different types and shapes of sponges and bio ribbon, I think I have 2 rolls of the ribbon in there. Water is always clear. With the spillway the water falls through the air which also aerates the water. I don't plan to clean the bio filter out at all during this pond season. Happy ponding Sandy