Gwen asked:
I would like more information about setting up a galvanized pond. I read your second instruction page, but couldn't find the first.
Did you do any type of prep on the tank? like clean it out with some type of solution?
I have made a ponds category and updated the tags. Pond entries to date can be found here
As for pre-cleaning the galvanized tanks - I simply rinsed them out well before setting them up. I never even thought of using anything to clean them. Fish are very sensitive to chemical contamination of their environment. When I kept indoor tanks, any pre-assembly scrubbing was done with kosher salt, and then rinsed well.
A little salt in a tank won't hurt the fish. Some fishkeepers will add a teaspoon of kosher salt per 10 gallons as a sort of buffer for the fish. I didn't do that, and don't do it now.
I wouldn't use any type of cleaner on a metal tank, not knowing how the galvanized metal will react. (EX: Do you know of a restaurant that serves consistently nasty iced tea? They are probably cleaning the ice tea dispenser with bleach. One such cleaning will destroy the container for further use.)
Hope this answers your questions, Gwen.
