Bill wrote:
I would like to build a water wheel with the water running in to my fish
pond. Would it be ok to use aluminium


Aluminium is quite toxic to aquatic life. If you wish, you can use
plastics such as PVC, etc. These can be welded using a soldering gun
and shaped by heating with a propane torch. I often build things of PVC
cut from drainage pipe (the white kind often used for country drain
fields). I cut a meter (or less) long piece length wise, heat it to
soften and flatten it out between two boards. I then cut pieces out of
the rectangle formed and weld them together, using fine scraps as
filler. You'd be suprised what I've built with it. It is inert, strong
and easy to work with.


Clurrie
"A pond is a hole in the ground in which you find contentment"