permaculture

[CHINAGRVE@aol.com]

I live in New Mexico high desert on 40 acres and have a small cement pond for 
the animals and my dog.   I can't put any plants in the pond as my dog takes 
them right out so I am thinking of making a waist high circular pond (soda 
cans and cement with river rock on outside) about 5 to 6 feet across with an 
inner circular ledge for plants.   I live off the grid so I have to get a 
solar 
fountain or a small pump with a solar panel as right now I don't want to add 
anything to my house system until I upgrade some.

Will plants, fish and a solar fountain keep the pond clean enough without a 
filter?   It has been so dry I need to see more water.    Do you think soda 
cans and cement are strong enought to hold that much water?   I did a neat 
retaining wall with rows of cans, covered with cement and river rock.   It 
looks so 
so great I thought I might make a pool.   Any suggestions or books will help.

Marilyn Conway, Mountainair, NM