Q about galvanized metal pond?

The zinc that is used in the galvanization process is fairly insoluble at
the normal pH of water, and therefore should last a long time. If the zinc
is dissolved, it can be harmful to the fish when the levels get high. If
the bottom is not kept clean, layers of rotting leaves will become acidic,
the galvanization will be removed and the metal will corrode. Painting will
help to protect the galvanization. Many of the farm supply places that
supply the galvanized tanks have similar polyethylene tanks, and they will
not corrode. The polyethylene tanks will embrittle in sunlight (UV), so it
is a good idea to provide the stack wall you discuss, and water absorbs some
of the UV. They do make paints for plastics now so that you can make it any
color you want. At least until the green algae covers it.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html

"Sue Solomon" wrote in message
news:qH5se.88307$yV4.68870@okepread03...
Hi All
I'm about to install a new pond in my front yard. Due to several
factors
(limited space, invasive tree roots nearby, neighbor's dogs cavorting in
my
existing plastic pond), I've decided to sink an 8' round, 2' deep
galvanized
steel stock tank about 12" into the ground for my pond. I plan to put a 2"
base of sand under the tank to level it. I will then cover the protruding
sides with stackable concrete blocks and cement a top ring of pavers in
place to finish it. I was going to paint the inside black, but if the tank
has to be sandblasted first, forget it. The tank will hold approximately
600
gallons; I'm planning to add goldfish, filter, fountain and a couple of
small water lilies to it. I plan to drill several holes in the tank side
for
fountain and filter feeds before burying it, and will eventually install a
small biological filter next to it. We live in Southern California, so I
don't have to worry about the ground freezing.

Can anyone give me some suggestions on how I should clean and condition
the
new galvanized metal? Anything else I need to do? I got the idea from my
Midwestern upbringing - both my father and grandfather kept goldfish in
their cattle stock tanks to control mosquito larvae, and they eventually
got
pretty big. I always loved watching the goldfish swimming so peacefully.

Thanks in advance for your help --
Sue in SoCal

The big problem is from the time a galvanized tank is made and shipped
and its finally purchased, it is slid around so much a lot of the zinc
(galvanize) gets scratched enough its now raw steel that is
unprotected. To much of a gamble to bury for a pond IMHO.

Even backfilling it could damage the galvanize, as its not as thick as
you would think it is. Rustoleum makes a epoxy paint with an additive
to make it acceptable for emersion in water....that is supposedly some
good stuff. A fish farm just got done coating a few insides of tanks
with it for their use and stated it works fine.


On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 15:36:24 -0400, "RichToyBox"
wrote:

===The zinc that is used in the galvanization process is fairly insoluble at
===the normal pH of water, and therefore should last a long time. If the zinc
===is dissolved, it can be harmful to the fish when the levels get high. If
===the bottom is not kept clean, layers of rotting leaves will become acidic,
===the galvanization will be removed and the metal will corrode. Painting will
===help to protect the galvanization. Many of the farm supply places that
===supply the galvanized tanks have similar polyethylene tanks, and they will
===not corrode. The polyethylene tanks will embrittle in sunlight (UV), so it
===is a good idea to provide the stack wall you discuss, and water absorbs some
===of the UV. They do make paints for plastics now so that you can make it any
===color you want. At least until the green algae covers it.


==============================================
Put some color in your cheeks...garden naked!
"The original frugal ponder"
~~~~ }((((o ~~~~~~ }{{{{o ~~~~~~~ }(((((o

"RichToyBox" wrote in message
...
The zinc that is used in the galvanization process is fairly insoluble at
the normal pH of water, and therefore should last a long time. If the
zinc is dissolved, it can be harmful to the fish when the levels get high.
If the bottom is not kept clean, layers of rotting leaves will become
acidic, the galvanization will be removed and the metal will corrode.


What about the other side of the tank that is on contact with the ground?

A

Galvanization is generally pretty good protection against soil and soil
moisture. Guardrail posts are galvanized, though generally a heavier
coating, and last virtually forever, even though they have been driven
through base stone, and soil. Soil auger anchors for telephone poles are
also long lived.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html

"Angrie.Woman" wrote in message
m...

"RichToyBox" wrote in message
...
The zinc that is used in the galvanization process is fairly insoluble at
the normal pH of water, and therefore should last a long time. If the
zinc is dissolved, it can be harmful to the fish when the levels get
high. If the bottom is not kept clean, layers of rotting leaves will
become acidic, the galvanization will be removed and the metal will
corrode.


What about the other side of the tank that is on contact with the ground?

A

Most of the commercial type stuff like hardware on power poles, guard
rails, stay wire anchors etc are galvanized with a much different
process than light gauge materials like stock tanks and residential
chainlink fence posts, stove pipe a/c ducts, roof flashing, roof
panels etc. The best process used is a cold dip which puts a heavier
concentratin of zinc/cadmium on the item, where things like stock
tanks are hot dipped or washed........coating is much thinner and not
nearly as durable. You can generally tell the difference by the
patterns of the material as well as its surface texture.
Cold process is most durable and usually more rougher in texture, and
its not uncommon to find nibs of it where it was supported during
coating.

On Fri, 17 Jun 2005 21:15:35 -0400, "RichToyBox"
wrote:

===Galvanization is generally pretty good protection against soil and soil
===moisture. Guardrail posts are galvanized, though generally a heavier
===coating, and last virtually forever, even though they have been driven
===through base stone, and soil. Soil auger anchors for telephone poles are
===also long lived.


==============================================
Put some color in your cheeks...garden naked!
"The original frugal ponder"
~~~~ }((((o ~~~~~~ }{{{{o ~~~~~~~ }(((((o