Learn how to make your own lily pond using a stock tank. Lily ponds are their own beautiful self-contained little ecosystem and they make a great addition to your yard or garden.

My in-laws live on the acreage next door and wanted to make a beautiful area closer to their house with water plants that they love in the natural pond in the area. It turned out so great, I had to share it with you!

Digging out a pond wasn’t possible so they decided to use a stock tank. Stock tanks are super trendy right now to use for things other than feeding livestock.

How to Make Your Own Lily Pond

Step 1.

Level the spot where the lily pond will be. 1/4” gravel works well for leveling. Get a large tub or stock tank. We used a 10’ diameter by 2’ deep galvanized stock tank.

Step 2.

Sand the inside surface of the tank before painting it with black ‘Flex All’ paint. (The galvanized finish is not good for the plants or fish).

Get some slabs of slate or other thin flat stone and prop them up on CMU blocks on their sides, then fill the tank with water.

Get some lilies, water plants and grasses from a local water plant store. Plant in soil in approx. 3+/- gallon containers and add a thin layer of gravel on top.

Step 4.

Place the plants/containers on the thin stone shelves, so that the top of the containers are about 4” to 6” below the surface of the water.

The underwater grasses should be planted in shallower pots or saucers and set on the bottom of the stock tank so that they are completely submerged. These grasses will aerate the tank to help keep it clean.

To help keep the tank clean and free of mosquito larva, add minnows or mosquito fish. Reduce the shininess of the exterior of the galvanized finish of the tank by applying a vinegar and salt solution to the surface.

Check the water level periodically and fill it as needed.

That’s it! Enjoy your Lilly Pond!

Christina

PIN THIS DIY LILY POND TO PINTEREST

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