Container pond...help

[moondust]

Hi
I am creating a container pond and yesterday I sunk a plastic builder's tub into a hole in my lawn. The bucket is 55cm in diameter, 42cm deep and can hold 69 litres of water.

Contico Multi Purpose Tub - Black 69 Litre: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Although I've read through the other threads on here I'm not sure how I can create a wildlife ramp in this tub. I've tried creating steps with some block paving bricks but this seems to take up half of the tub and then if i add more bricks for planting marginals it seems there will be hardly any room for water. Could the planter be used as a step out if placed on top of the bricks? I'm really stuck on this and any suggestions would be appreciated!

Also, do I need to replant the marginals in aquatic soil or is it enough to use the soil they are already planted in when bought from the shop?

Thanks

[Kayleigh]

As its planted in the ground I would plant some ivy so this trails over the edge so things can use it to climb out..
The plants should be in quatic soil and if the pot is large then they should not need replanting but if you do then use aquatic compost or there will too many nutrients in the water and yes stand the basket on bricks to make the top level with the sides as this will also aid in and escape rout..

[nightshade]

Bend a section of doubled chicken wire to hang securely over the edge then hide it with Kayleighs ivy.

[moondust]

Thanks for the quick replies Kayleigh and nightshade. So it's ok for the chicken wire to hang freely in the pond without being used as a cladding on something else? Perhaps I could have the top of it secured next to the planter to aid anything getting in an out.
Is it best to plant ivy in pots around the pond or will it be ok to plant it into the soil?

[Kayleigh]

I have a barrel pond and the ivy is planted into the soil next to it I dont have chicken wire as the ivy is sufficient.
The ivy is easy to remove if it starts to take over mine is the small leaved variegated one you find in garden centrers for use in planters and looks tractive trailing into the pond.

[kathateria]

I wouldnt use aquatic compost.It made my water go green.I used gravel.

[Kayleigh]

All water bodies go green as they become established make sure you put in lots of oxygenators and flag iris in a pot will help keep the water fresh.

[moondust]

I have seen the photos of your pond, Kayleigh, the ivy does look very beautiful so I will definately use some and I'll look for the kind you suggested, thanks.

Thanks for the advice kathateria. I have purchased a curved planter so I could just use the soil that the plants are already in and then fill the rest with pea gravel.

[Hedera]

If you use bricks make sure to scrub them well if they are old ones to remove cement traces. Also wash gravel and stones in clean water to avoid any chemicals getting into your little pond.
A "ladder" of clematis netting would help until the ivy grows long enough for an escape route.

[moondust]

Thanks for the advice, Hedera.

Regarding the oxygenators, I was thinking of buying Hornwort or Water Violet. For marginals I have bought a Flag Iris, Common Bullrush and a Kaffir Lily. I hope this isn't too much!

I really appreciate everyone's help with this. I'm also creating a butterfly border in the garden so my head has been so full of all kinds of plant names etc and it was beginning to give me a headache! Apart from growing a few things in pots, I'm completely new to gardening so it's been quite confusing!

Gemma