Cast Iron Trough

[FireRich059]

Looking at setting up a pond for goldfish using an old Cast Iron Trough.
is this OK? Would I need to Line it? If so could I use some kind of sealant/paint instead of lining it?
Thanks

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

I have no idea, but I would think it would need to be lined.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum!

I would think it would need to be sealed, ow excess iron in the water. Harmful to the fish? I don't really know but I would think it might be.
Others will chime in.

 

[j.w]

@FireRich059
I'm not sure but it seems like it wouldn't be good unless you can seal it w/something safe for fish.

 

[Stephen Noble]

Welcome to the forum! Is this a porcelain coated cast iron tub or just bare iron? Could you also tell a little more about the tub such as gallons it will hold etc? An image would help too.

 

[TheFishGuy]

there are some pond sealants made for concrete, you could just buy a can o that stuff and put it on

 

[JamieB]

Marine epoxy paint if needed, goes on any surface. If it still has some porcelain, you’ll want to clean well, scuff up with steel wool, wipe clean again, then paint. Be sure it’s a fish safe product what ever you use.

 

[GBBUDD]

Like was mentioned is this porcelain tub/ troff.
If so that will work if your talking raw cast it will rust goldfish can withstand A LOT leaching iron is probably not an issue short term. I'd start off with feeders to start

 

[FireRich059]

Welcome to the forum! Is this a porcelain coated cast iron tub or just bare iron? Could you also tell a little more about the tub such as gallons it will hold etc? An image would help too.

It’s a cast iron trough, so rusty, but I could clean it down. It’s about 4 foot long.

 

[FireRich059]

I tried uploading photo of trough, but it said image was too big, I don't know how to down size it, sorry

Would you think this is suitable then? ......

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078H1CNDL?th=1

 

[addy1]

I tried uploading photo of trough, but it said image was too big, I don't know how to down size it, sorry

Are you using a cell phone or a computer? With my win10 lappy a right click on the photo gives you a option to resize the photo.

 

[FireRich059]

Are you using a cell phone or a computer? With my win10 lappy a right click on the photo gives you a option to resize the photo.

 

[JamieB]

Yeah, you’ll need to sand off any loose rust, seal it using some fish safe sealer, I’d try something like the marine epoxy paint to start. This will protect the fish as well as prevent the whole tub from turning into pure rust and falling apart. As pretty as that thing is, I’d seal it inside and out, but I don’t envy you the rust removal project. I just did a metal frame for my mini pond, my arms hurt and I had rust everywhere!

 

[FireRich059]

Yeah, you’ll need to sand off any loose rust, seal it using some fish safe sealer, I’d try something like the marine epoxy paint to start. This will protect the fish as well as prevent the whole tub from turning into pure rust and falling apart. As pretty as that thing is, I’d seal it inside and out, but I don’t envy you the rust removal project. I just did a metal frame for my mini pond, my arms hurt and I had rust everywhere!

Great thanks for your reply

 

[addy1]

That is a neat tub! Make sure you post when you are working on it. We love to follow along.