Our filter for our pond is an old wiskey barrel from the plant in lethbridge. We just filled it with water and rolled it everyday to get the wiskey out. We then cut the top off and filled it with lava rock. I will get a pic for you if you want. Has never hurt our fish. I seen an article about doing a fish pond in a barrel a while back I will see if i can find it again.

Bev I have never had tannins from a barrel leach into the pond water so i do not think this would be any different.

If you are worried just soak the barrel for a week or two.

Bev does have a point about Goldfish and their swimming. It may be better off to buy some Orandas, Black moors, or Ryunkins (sp?). THey seem to to do the least amount of swimming.

That set up looks good put a water lily in there the wife will love the flower it will grow. This summer we are planning to cut down on some of our water lillies I could save you a choping if you wanted. We have all 3 sizes. Just let me know.

Just remebered you can use the feedeer minnows if you wanted. They only get about 2 inches and are nice to look at in a school of 5.

Here are some links for you:
http://www.shooterdog.com/barrel.htm
http://www.water-garden-ponds.com/arthalfbarrelpond.htm
http://www.gardenworld.co.uk/project-barrelpond.asp

um, the barrel is 2 foot across, and I have seen lots of gold fish in a 20 gal tank which is smaller than the barrel. you realy think they wont have enuf room to swim? I am only think one or two little goldfish.

Steve

Steve,

When they are 1"-2", they should be okay. But over the longer term, you'd have to upgrade your barrel :razz:

I think bev is right our goldfish are well over 12 inches. But bev they will be fine up to 4 or 5 inches. This is 5 times their lenght they will be fine. Just from my experience they only swim fast when scared. They mostly just peck at the bottom looking for food.

If you are realy worried just buy the fantails they will be fine.

Hmmmm . . . barrel
 

How about getting some of that rubber pond liner for inside the barrel . . . might solve many problems. I bought feeder goldfish and kept them for 3 years in my pond - over-wintered at a friends house. They grew to about 7 inches, nice and fat! I'd pull them out of the pond when ice began forming - really had no difficulties except for rooming them for the winter. Your winters are much milder, just keep an eye on them and enjoy them.

What about getting your metal parts powder coated? Do they make a clear powder coat? Just a thought...

I ended up getting a hard plastic insert designed for barrels and put that in tonight. I am not to worried aboyt the metal as iron isn't harmfull just fuels algae, but I am putting lots of water plants in also so they will take care of that.

Steve

Hi Steve. Any updates on your container pond? I read that Shubunkins reach about 15cm (6") in length. Also, White Cloud mountain minnows are hardy and can survive in cold temperatures down to about 5 Celsius.

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fres...inGoldfish.php
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/prof...hitecloud.html