How to Make a Garden Pond in an Old Bathtub

Turn an old bathtub into a mini pond for your patio or garden. Add aquatic plants and a small fountain to create a one-of-a-kind backyard water feature.

For more ideas, also see this gallery of small garden ponds from home gardens.

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Make a Pond from an Old Bathtub

I’ve been wanting one of these ponds for a while and I’ve got my local junk shop owner on the lookout for an old bathtub at the right price.

While many people love the idea of restoring an old clawfoot tub for an indoor bathroom renovation, the downside is that old tubs can be chipped and don’t retain heat well due to a lack of insulation.

That’s when it’s time to move it outdoors.

I saw this little pond on a local garden tour. It’s from the same wonderful gardener who created this Bed Frame Veggie Garden.

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How to Make a Bathtub Garden Pond

Safety First

Any water project can pose a risk to humans, pets, and wildlife. Do not add any water feature unless you are certain it’s legal and safe.

Supplies

Some links go to my affiliate account at Amazon.com. I always suggest you try and buy locally or better yet, get stuff free and repurpose it.

My best tips for getting stuff cheap or free are here.

Old bathtub.
It doesn’t have to be a clawfoot tub—just choose something you like. That said, smooth-sided containers like bathtubs are best kept above ground to help prevent small animals from falling in and drowning. If there’s any chance wildlife will be using your pond, be sure to look into safety measures to make it as wildlife-friendly as possible.

A recirculating pond pump and filter. You can see an example [here via my Amazon affiliate account].

To choose the right pump, estimate the volume of your tub—most hold around 50 gallons. Pumps are rated by how many gallons they circulate per hour (GPH). For a 50-gallon tub, look for a pump rated for 50–100 GPH. The higher end of that range gives you enough power to run a small waterfall or spray feature.

Most small pond pumps include an internal sponge filter to collect debris as water circulates. Once your pond is up and running, you may need to rinse it out daily—especially in warmer months. Some pump kits also include extras like bubblers or fountain heads, so double-check that the one you choose has the features you want.

Outdoor GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) electrical outlet.
Don’t mess around with this. If you don’t already have one near the pond location, get a certified electrician to install a proper GFCI outlet that meets all the code requirements in your area.

Plugs or other materials to close up drain and overflow holes.
Decide whether you want to seal the bottom drain and overflow holes temporarily or permanently. If you’re lucky—or have a well-stocked plumbing store nearby—you may find plugs that fit snugly and don’t leak. Otherwise, ask at the shop for a recommended solution. Just be sure to choose a sealant that’s safe for water use: some work in standing water, others don’t. Look for a marine-grade product or try plumber’s putty.

Aquatic plants
Hardy water plants will survive winter as long as they don’t freeze solid. Tropical varieties, however, must be brought indoors if you live in a cold climate like I do. The good news is you won’t need many to get started—they tend to multiply quickly each growing season.

Visit a trusted garden nursery and let them know about your project—they can recommend the best options for your region. Or check with a pond-owning friend to see if they have any plants ready to divide and share.

Bricks or other materials to hold plants at the required level.
Each type of aquatic plant has a preferred planting depth in the water. You’ll need to look up the requirements for each type of aquatic plant you are growing.

Use bricks to ensure the plant containers sit at the right height.

Optional: faucet handles and/or tall shower attachment

If your pond is in a fairly sheltered spot (out of the wind), it can be a fun touch to create a recirculating spray using a showerhead. This usually requires an extra pump and some tubing to carry the water up through a pipe. If that sounds like more hassle than it’s worth, feel free to skip it—your pond will still look great.

To keep the bathtub theme going, consider adding faucet handles over the old mount holes. It’s a simple detail that ties it all together nicely.

Can I add fish?

Fish are not recommended for small water features like this. Living creatures need natural habitat with plenty of room to move around and places to hide. Just add plants and a fountain. You will still benefit plenty of wildlife including dragonflies.

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Setting Up Your Bathtub Pond

• Choose a  safe, level location near an outdoor GFCI electrical outlet.
• Clean the tub.
• If you want to paint the exterior, do it before setting up your pond.
• Close up the bottom drain and overflow hole.
• Add water.
• Set up the pump/filter (Amazon.com). Follow the safety guidelines on the manufacturer’s instructions. Choose one with a fountain attachment if you like.
• You want the pump away from any plants or debris so it can freely take in the water and recirculate it.
• Add aquatic plants. Find out the best growing depth for each type of plant you are adding and use bricks to set them at the right level.

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Bathtub Pond Maintenance

• Your pump filter may need rinsing out on a daily or weekly basis to keep the water flowing nicely and avoid straining the pump.
• The aquatic plants may need to be lowered in the water as they grow.

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Winter Care

• If you live in a cold climate, tropical plants will need to be stored/”overwintered” in a garage during the winter months.
• Hardy plants can survive most winters if they are placed at the bottom of the tub and the pump is kept running to ensure the water never freezes.

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Resources

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛