How heavy are the stone ones?

Weights vary depending on the material and dimensions. A small sandstone piece might take two people to lift. Larger estate examples can weigh well over a tonne. You'll need a crane or a tractor to move those.

Can you keep fish in them?

Yes, if you seal the drainage hole. People use them to create small water features. You might need a lining to stop water seeping through the porous sides.

I inherited a massive one when we bought our farm and it has a rusty metal ring attached to the side. What is that for?

Farmers tethered animals directly to the vessel while they drank. The metal ring kept a horse from wandering off. Sometimes they were used to pull the heavy stone across a field using a chain. It is common to find them rusted into the masonry.

We want to use an old iron one as a planter but the bottom has rusted out in the middle. Is it useless now?

A rusted base is actually ideal for a planter. It provides natural drainage for the soil. You can line the inside with a porous membrane to stop dirt washing out. The structural integrity of the sides is what matters most for a garden display.

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Antique Troughs

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These are hollowed out blocks of stone or heavy timber. Farmers originally used them to hold water for livestock or to catch runoff on agricultural estates.