Water Gardening: 2X4X6 galvanized livestock watering trough as a water featur, 1 by LouC

LouC wrote:
Gayle, you asked sometime ago about the details. Things were pretty shakey then and I lost two little fishies.
We purchased the water trough at Tractor Supply for $109.00 + tax. It is 2x6x4 holds 360 gallons when full to the top. The filter/fountain is from HD for $99.00+....it is a very small bioballs thingy. First mistake was putting the fish in after only 4-5 days. Second original filter too small. third positioned and old flower stand directly in the water to simulate a water fall with the little jug fountain. Took everything out and now it has the above filter,
2 water lilies, and star grass. the pond is angled under a canopy and I have plants and baskets along the back side to help cool the water. There is no plumbing required. Just fill with tap water and add dechlorinator. In the back area are the two eletric plugs for the pumps and the rope light. We buried a heavy duty extension cord under the rocks and the tub before filling it. The rope lights are ok if you are very careful not to put either end into the water. MAIN THING. Don't be too anxious to add fish. Let water and plants do their thing for 2-3 weeks. Many, many kind souls helped me on this forum. I just sort of missed the part about being patient. Now have 3 koi and 1 plec??(something). They all seem very happy and are getting big. I call it my Fish Pail because it begs the definition of a pond. lol