I have a small pond 650 gal with a depth ranging from 0 inches to 30 inches at built in drain. It is raised about 18 inches above ground behind a retaining wall. I have just goldfish and lots of plants. I built it with a 6 inch plant shelf all around. I have lost a bunch of fine fish to Blue Herons and racoons have torn up my plants. I have since installed a scarecrow motion sensor sprinkler which seemed to work fine except that it used a LOT of water (my water bills were tremendous). I also tried an electric fence all around and it works well also, but doesn't look too good so I reverted to the scarecrow. Now my question: I would like to weld a rebar grid (4-6 inch spacing) together and place it on the plant shelf so you couldn't see it really unless you are right on top of it. I would make it in sections so I could remove it for maintenence. It would satisfy my wife's anxiety to know the grid was there and the water would effectively be only 6 inches deep in case one of our grandkids or neighbor kids fell in. We have no fence and our yard is open to a public greenbelt area which kids use all the time to play. Is this a viable alternative? Should I paint it with epoxy paint to keep the rusting metal from fouling the water? Would the rusting metal harm the fish or plants? Sorry for the long post, but I need some help with this one. Thank you kindly for time and thoughts.
Chumley