Creating an eco-system in my 1, 000 gal. stock tank

by Ann
(New Mexico)

We have an in-ground 1,000 gal. stock tank that is about 3' deep. The horses ,dogs and a few calves use this as a watering hole.
What is the best way to create a balanced eco-system in this tank?
We live in the high desert of NM with temps ranging from single digits(rarely) to 90's.
Are there plants that will help keep the water clean?
I have been told that fish help with the algea, but keeping enough oxygen for them might be difficult.
Our well water here is very hard, and we have alot of blowing dust as well.

Doug says that you simply aren't going to create an eco-system with a stock tank used for watering stock in your location. But I suspect what you want to do is reduce algae rather than create a good-looking water feature.

So pick up some water hyacinths. Toss them in and they'll multiply to cover the surface of the tank and really reduce algae (they filter the water as well). You could put a hula-hoop in the water to create an open space for the stock to drink easily or they'll learn to puss the plants out of the way. Some folks reverse that and put the plants inside the hula hoop but in your case, I'd go the reverse.

Fish do indeed eat algae so you could have fish in there once the plants are established. But it's not necessary once you get the water hyacinths established.

Frost will kill these plants so you'll either have to overwinter or pick up some new ones in the spring.

Excess hyacinths can be composted but do not release into natural waterways.

Oh yeah, I've seen this work on much bigger ponds than yours. Here's the article on the plant itself.

That should get you going.