Best way to convert an old sink into a water garden or bog?

10 years ago

I found an old 2 compartment laundry sink in an alley a couple of years ago that is concrete composite material..super heavy. 3' wide and holds between 15-20 gallons of water. We cleaned it well, buried it in the ground just a little above ground level, sealed the drain plugs and filled with water. We don't have electrity anywhere near the spot so we couldn't add a pump. We added mollies and guppies to control larvae, one side had a water lilly and the other had floating hyacinth. We had a heck of time trying to keep the water clear...tryed using a product our local nursery recommended and floated barley but it was still a murkey mess...It also became a ground beetle graveyard...We couldn't stop them from going in. Last year I kept it empty but I miss the water lilies and activity (sans the ground the beetle problem) Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve this setup without a pump? I would even consider turning it into a bog or 1 side bog 1 side water lily (btw) we chose a smaller size zone 4 water lily and it fit perfect. We will not be doing fish again as they didn't survive when we brought them in for the winter.

I was on Gardens Alive and saw some Watergarden & Pond Beneficial Bacteria Tablets but 1 tab treats 1,000 gallons. The description reads:
The beneficial bacteria contained in the tablets:
reduce problem-causing nitrates and phosphates.
lessen bottom sludge and muck.
minimize odors by controlling organic waste.
keep water clear and healthy.

I am having a hard time finding products I can reduce enough for only 30-40 gallons.

Comments (4)

albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
10 years ago
My wife took a solar collector course and learned to charge a battery hooked to a filter pump. She got the components from a boating equipment place. Sorry,I cannot help with the insects.
CaraRose
10 years ago
How much of the rim is above ground level? I had a container water garden last year with a large pot, and never had beetle problems.

Is it taking any run off? If the murkiness is just algae and organic growth, and you have no fish, an algaecide might work. If it's taking run off, then you're not going to have much in the way of getting silt and particulates from the water.

With my container water garden, I used algaecide to control the algae, mosquito dunks to control the larva, and just emptied and cleaned it once midsummer before refilling.
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frankielynnsie
10 years ago
I have 2 big pot water gardens with out pumps but with plants and 1 fish each. I start them fresh each spring and they stay clear and the fish survives and the frogs always find them and they are full of tadpoles. The water gets very warm but everybody stays happy. I will add fresh hose water to cool them off a little on some days. I always attributed it to having lots of plant coverage and a fish to keep the mosquitoes out.
purplehouseWY
Original Author
10 years ago
Albert_135-Thanks for the solar idea. I will research it. I am glad there is an alternative as the solar pumps on the market have poor reviews.

CaraRose-Good point on the runoff. I may need to add some metal edging around the parameter of the sink. That would actually stop the ground beetles as well.

Frankielynn-For me in zone 4 the only fish that would survive would be koi...but that is with a pond heater. I wish a frog would make a home with us as we live close to a watersource...but nothing yet.