I want to plant a few water plants - something simple

and am currently obsessed with finding a copper pot -JUST LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THOSE FIRE PITS, the copper bowls are large and not too deep and would look perfect in the area I'm thinking.

Does anyone have any great ideas about finding a copper bowl like that? I've tried finding a replacement copper bowl for a firepit but am having no luck.

THANKS for any help/advice! I'm a newbie with the water stuff.

An all-copper container will likely affect your water. I know I've read that copper in quantity is bad for fish, but it doesn't sound like that's an issue for what you're planning. But it may also impact certain types of plants. Just something to be aware of.

Copper is far more deadly to plants than fish I think, but I don't know that any copper from a container would actually become available to the water. I think they are used all the time with no ill effects.

Tootsie, IMO most pond plants are not behaved or restrained enough to work well in small containers. You might be better off searching for "bog" plants and do a bog bowl instead of a water garden bowl.

Redtootsie~ have you checked out a farm and tractor supply store. There are several near me with all the ranches and farms nearby, and they have cute stuff that's hard to find in a regular dept. store. Ace Hardware has the copper ice buckets including a stand for less than $50. I'm using one to hold plants in my foyer, much cheaper than a comparable plant stand I saw. Also, they have the small copper firebowls for $70 at Target. A big copper cauldron pot at one of the farm supply store sells for $60. Whatever you decide and find share the results, sounds fun!

Thank you for all your input; I really appreciate it. I definitely wouldn't subject any fish to the copper; unless I lined the copper pot-but doubt I will do that.... we have some baby raccoons visiting our yard lately, so I don't want to entice them further with a surf'n turf dinner! Garden6, I'll definitely hit the farm supply stores we have a bunch out here, too, but didn't think of it! ... $60 sounds waaay more affordable than buying the whole darn set when I'm NOT lighting a fire!! I'd rather spend my money on plants anyway - but the bigger the pot the better. Thanks again all! I'll take a picture when I can get this together.

Copper can be very toxic to plants. It is often used by growers to carefully stunt greenhouse plants such as poinsettias and chrysanthemums so that they don't stretch and do remain short and compact in the container. Copper can be extremly toxic to fish. Copper is also the base used some algaecides. I would caution against using copper in any form for any plant or fish application. Without a chemist standing by to determine the amount of copper becoming available and any possible interaction with other chemicals such as fertilizers ect. there could be real trouble. I know of one gal who successfully uses old copper fittings or parts in the drain holes of a bamboo planter to keep the bamboo roots from escaping through the holes.

no worries, I would've lined it and no fish like I said.... but after looking at everything available I decided to go with something bigger anyway - so I gave up the copper firebowl; I was mostly in love with the shape. So now, I can do the fish and plants (& not kill them : ) - and who knew Hughes Water Garden was a mile from my house - whoo hoo! My kids have fevers today, I'll probably go this weekend **and I just filled my basin with water, so it should sit for a few days anyway.

Redtootsie~ hope the kids are feeling better in the AM, so you can eye your creation and give our approvals!

ty garden6, two of them have the fever/cold, am currently waiting for the 3rd to show symptoms. Bleh, I'm ready to get outside!

Oh, NO fun. Sick kids are ALMOST as tough to be around as sick husbands. Hope they get over it soon! If they feel well enough to color, maybe you can ask them for "design" ideas for your water feature!

good idea, they would have it "overfull" quickly - they are asking to go get fish - but we'll wait a while on that !! lol I did tell them they maybe each pick one.

Gee, and "overfull" in the garden is certainly not something we adults ever do, is it? LOL!!!!

LOL - I am sooo guilty as charged ! I was just in the back, looking around to see if anything could be pulled out ! I did take out some more grass, so I have a nice bed I get to plant soon.... I'm really looking forward to that : )

This afternoon we were well enough to visit Hughes Water Garden, which is about 2 miles from here.... it was waay cool. I have to go back without my children however, that much water was a little too thrilling for them, I was busy saying "don't touch that" to look at everything. I mentioned Daves Garden to the lady helping me (I just got fertilizer tabs and a hardy water lily to fill in, my plants are just little tiny right now) she lurks here - small world!