Things You'll Need:
- Whiskey barrel
- Electric saw
- Pond pump
- Hoses and tubes
- Water
- Aquatic plants
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Step 1
Purchase a water-tight wooden whiskey barrel and cut it in half around the widest part of the middle, or buy a pre-cut whiskey barrel specially made for pond or planter use. Test the water-tightness before creating your pond. If necessary, buy a plastic barrel liner and insert it.
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Step 2
Place the whiskey barrel where you want the pond to be. Choose a location with at least partial sun on a sturdy surface such as a patio or a deck. If you put it on the ground, protect the bottom from moisture and rot with flat rocks or a piece of plastic sheet.
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Step 3
Attach all necessary hoses or tubes to a small, submersible pond pump. A fountain pump can be sufficient and adding a small bubbler fountain to the whiskey barrel pond can help with oxygenation and appearance. Support the pump with a few rocks if necessary.
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Step 4
Choose very small aquatic plants for a whiskey barrel fountain. A miniature water lily in a pot can be placed at the bottom, while a few oxygenating plants like hornwort and floaters like water hyacinth can be used successfully. If necessary, create a shelf in the barrel with an overturned flower pot for plants that prefer shallow water planting.
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Step 5
Fill the whiskey barrel pond with water from a garden hose and turn on the pump. Allow the water to circulate for several days before adding small fish. Because a whiskey barrel makes a rather small pond, three or four fish should be enough.
