What is the safest sealer to use on a terracotta pot I want to make into a pond with plants and fish/tadpoles?
oh_hunnihunni,
Sep 14, 4:58pm
A plastic bucket. And rainwater. Avoid the tadpoles, frogs are endangered enough. Mountain minnows would be a good choice, small, hardy, and cleaner than goldfish. Watch the amount of light hitting the surface, if you want to avoid using chemicals to control algae formation.
jeanette12,
Sep 14, 5:16pm
I am setting up a water feature with a water spout fountain and want to use the pot for this but too porous without being sealed so the plastic bucket just wouldn’t look the part!
koru67,
Sep 15, 2:47am
One option here but a little pricey … https://www.stoneworld.co.nz/shop/Ponds+%26+Plants/Garden+Ponds/Pond+Paint/Liquid+Rubber+-+Black.html#.W5wOFfZuKmQ Hollywood Fish Farm also have a product on their website but it is out of stock. Try your local pet/pond store or garden centre if it is one that has a water garden area. We have frogs in our garden but they very rarely go in the pond. They prefer living in the big bromeliads that store water at the base of their leaves like alcantarea imperialis rubra .
happychappy50,
Sep 15, 3:31am
Terracotta is very porous as you possibly,paint a membrane on the inside,there are plenty avalible,just need to check what product is compatible with what you require.I used a polyurethane product yrs ago in a decent sized pond which had goldfish & koi carp,must have been ok as they thrived even had babies. Your issue could be that for a small amount required it would be very expensive. You try sealing with pva glue then painting several coats of oil based paint in the colour of your choice.
jacinda2059,
Sep 15, 5:00am
as above, it should be the cheapest way. there are other sealers but are expensive.
budgel,
Sep 15, 5:42am
I think a good quality roof paint on the inside would do it. They are acceptable for collecting drinking water. Rinse out a few times after painting as per roofing recommendations.
oh_hunnihunni,
Sep 17, 10:25am
I understand that perfectly, but the plastic pot needn't show if you buy the right size that fits inside the terracotta. The reason I suggest it, is if you have issues with the fountain, or the plants or algae, it is a heck of a lot easier to deal with that by lifting the plastic pot out to attend. Or at least it was for me back in the big pot on concrete deck days, lol.
Either way, it is a great feature to have, and can lead to bigger and better things. Like keeping tropical fish for a lifetime of challenge!
Best of luck with it!
oh_hunnihunni,
Sep 17, 10:27am
Btw, watch paint, as it can leach into the water over time and destroy living things.
budgel,
Sep 18, 6:33am
Thousands of people all over the country collect rainwater from their roofs. I havent seen any evidence of people dying from it!
Yes. Washing over is one thing. Sitting in it for days or weeks at a time is another. Google paint and aquariums, you'll find safe paints listed . There aren't many.
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