Wow, that's scary and amazing at the same time (scamazing?), Jenny! Glad to hear your basement was ok, too. What the heck was with the water lines that day?? Brenda

I've had galvanized stock tanks as ponds for years and haven't had to have a wooden foundation or any kind of foundation. I just sit it on the ground. If it's not level, I spread some sand or dirt (dug up from another part of the yard) under it until it is. One time it settled a bit after I had to put a good bit of dirt under it, so I just drained it and put a bit more where needed to level it back up. No biggie. Didn't take long. Those stock tanks last for years. Since they're designed and manufactured for ranch use, they have to stand up to a long time of weathering and wear. If they didn't, ranchers wouldn't keep buying them. That's why you don't see many ranchers using those rubbermaid tanks ~ they don't hold up nearly as well. I also like the fact that once I scrub a new one out with vinegar and then dish soap to remove any leftover oils or chemicals from the galvanizing process, I don't have to worry about anything off-gassing into the water like I do with plastic or rubber. I've never tried koi in there as I've always read that it wasn't big enough. Even in the eight foot round one, though I have been tempted in that one since it's almost the thousand gallon recommended minimum size for swimming. What's stopped me is I know if I get koi, once they grow large, I'll either feel guilty every time I look at them in the stock tank or will have to come up with a bigger pond for them to live in. (Hey! Maybe that's a way for me to justify getting the 10' wide stock tank. ;) I've never had a filter on any of them either and haven't had pea soup problems, but I usually go heavy on the plants and light on the fish. I have these in the pastures and pens for my livestock as well and keep a goldfish or two in them to keep the mosquitoes out. Let me tell you, those goldfish grow HUGE from all the food ~ not only the mosquitoes, but little pieces of grain and alfalfa pellets from the horses' muzzles when they drink. Raccoon treats they are for sure, but the only problem I've had with critters getting in them are squirrels. They try to get a drink from them, then fall in and drown. So the ones I have for my livestock I just float a board in so they can get out. I haven't had that problem at all in the ones I use for ponds near the house. Probably because of all the plants and pots making it easy for them to get out (that or the little heeler dog who thinks it's her job to keep the squirrels in the trees ;). I think your boyfriend's son is overthinking this. IMHO you should get a tank, bring it home, plunk it down where you want it and set it up. Just do it. It'll be fine.

I've never used salt either. While you clean can you put plants and fish in a separate holding tank? If your water garden is filthy then you're going to be releasing a lot of potential harmful bacteria in the crud mix. I would not stock the golf course's pond if you want to cull the heard. If your fish have disease then leave them be and work it out -- if you must cull the heard I've been told that the humane way (if they're not health so you can't give them to other pond owners)is to place them with some of their water in a bag, one fish to bag, and freeze them. Their metabo shuts down and they go to rest. Good luck. Glad you have the help you need.

Thank you everyone :) I tried to take a pic tonight..put up some lights, but only 2 so far..8 more to go. Just wanted to get the ones around the pond right first then I'll do the rest. It's a lil blurry, and I took it from kinda far away to get the whole thing in..but, I love what the lighting does for it. Looks so much better at night, in real life..not so much the pic, lol. But I didnt want to use flash. Thank you everyone, you're all too nice to me. And the plant offers..too sweet..thank you very much! Theresa I sent you an email :) Thank you! Marian, yes you are correct, I had to adjust things when I saw the slope. I def didn't want any runoff going in the pond! Big muddy mess! It was a major PITA getting them just right, and was especially hard getting the ponds level since I don't have a level, lol. I had to eyeball it, but I did pretty good with that :) And I tried to get the soil around it all as level as possible. LOL, the kids have been teasing the last 2 days that they wanna go in the ponds. Caught my son playing in it with his fingers..hopefully once the plants are done they won't be able to get close enough to dip their fingers or toes in, lol. Thank you Barry! I do plan on getting some tadpoles, and some tree frogs. I would love to, but I can't get Koi, they wouldn't be too happy, they get too big for my set-up. My son is NOT happy about that. I plan on getting some shubunkins & placos. Shubunkins get 10" so they will be OK..Koi get from 2-5'. Maybe I could get baby Kois and just give them away when they get too big..hmm somethin to think about. The lotus is in the black tub between the 2 ponds. My spots for the brugs have changed again, lol. Still def gonna have some around the pond, just not sure of the spots. I'll post more pix when I decide and have them in :) Mary, thank you. Don't worry about it, I know you're a busy woman. You take your time and just let me know :) Gloria..that's how I started out last year. Hey containers are better than nothin! And easier, lol. Thank you :) Thanks Karen, yes..very busy & now its catching up to me..my shoulders & lower back are killing me, lol. Edna, thank you for the advice on feeding, I knew when it gets cold to stop feeding, but didn't know a temp..thank you! I'm pooped out & off to bed..took me so long to type this, I dont even have time to catch up on all the posts I missed, lol. thank you all again :) BTW..I can take critiscism if anyone wants to point anything out I need to change or if it looks crappy, lol. Daniella