I bought this cute little metal tub (it’s like a galvanized bucket) at Big Lots to use as a bird bath in my front yard. The proportions in the picture may be deceiving, but the little pan is only a foot in diameter and about four inches high. I filled it and minutes later, it was empty. I’m guessing I need to seal it around the inside of the bottom-- and probably the outside, too.
What product should I use? This? Or something else?
The birds are loving it!
Maybe this?
If you want to retain the writing inside it and the overall appearance, I’d try to find something watertight to set it inside of so almost the entire pan is submerged. If you don’t care about what it looks like, get rid of the leaky thing and go right to the watertight container.
Unless you want to get involved with a blowtorch and plumbing solder, some type of silicone-like adhesive sealant is likely your best bet. Have you determined where the tub is leaking? If it’s just in one or two places, it should be an easy fix. My WAG is that either of those sealants will work fine; the 3M Marine sealant is probably overkill but it advertises fast curing – some of those silicone sealants take friggin’ forever to cure. I wouldn’t bother with Amazon – you can pick that stuff up at any Home Depot.
ETA: Another fast-fix option is 5-minute epoxy resin. Regardless of whether using sealant or epoxy, make sure the area to be repaired is clean and dry – preferably clean with an alcohol swab.
Yeah, I could do that. I actually went looking for a big, heavy, stoneware dish. But I found this tub at Big Lots on sale. I like that I can brace the hose through the handle.
I wasn’t going to buy from Amazon. Just used the link to illustrate the product.
I was planning just to run a bead of the sealant all around the inside where the sides meet the bottom instead of looking for any one leaky place. And maybe all around the outside, too. I’ve got nuttin’ but time on my hands. I tend to put things like this in the yard and leave them there forever, so I’d like the fix to be permanent.
The reason for checking for where it leaks is to determine what kind and how much sealant you need. If it’s just one or two small leaks, epoxy resin is quick and easy. If the entire bottom is poorly attached, you’ll probably have to go with silicone and run a bead all around as you said.
Oh ok. Good point. I’ll take a look when the birds are done for the day. They’re having so much fun I hate to interrupt. It’s a Happy Fizzies Party!
I thought it was a reasonable assumption that the thing would hold water. <shrug>
It emptied in minutes.
True. The water actually ran out. I’m not thinking too clearly this evening…
It seems to be the least you could expect from a bucket! 
How many expectations does one have to let go of in today’s world, eh?
I’m thinking that could still be due to a couple of isolated spots easily patched with epoxy.
It’s a Big Lots decorative piece. I’m amazed the bottom didn’t just fall off when it got wet.
Go wild with the sealant.
If you are concerned about not poisoning your wild birds, please use silicone sealant that is okay for aquariums and let it sit until there is no vinegar odor before filling it.
Personally I’d just buy a nice ceramic birdbath. Birds have some desires when it comes to baths, including a slope from the edge to the middle so they can walk into the deep part, and a textured surface.
I’m bothered by the proposition of using any kind of sealant that isn’t basically food safe.
The birds …
I’m thinking something like this:
Manufacturer’s page:
https://conspecmaterials.com/shop/sealants/silicone-sealants/silco-sil-bond-4500-rtv-silicone/
Nice project !
ETA: Ninja’d by @Ulfreida 
I really appreciate those thoughtful replies!
I just lifted up the pan and water ran out all along the bottom. As good as no seal at all.
To wit:
Sure it could but a real fix is to put it into something actually meant to hold water.
On review, the comment about bird safety below also apply.
Edit: On further review, this this seems best suited to holding pinecones next to the fireplace.
I just lifted up the pan and water ran out all along the bottom. As good as no seal at all.
Good comments about bird safety re the silicone seal. As it turns out, the same applies to epoxy resin. I would have assumed that it doesn’t leach anything out into water or food after it cures, but there is such a thing as special food-safe epoxy, but most of them are not, and are not recommended for such use.
It was a nice thought and a cute little tub, but you’re probably better off getting something more suitable for a bird bath than trying to repair this.
You mean y’all are telling me to go SHOPPING again?!? 
Ok.
Hey, if it’s any consolation, you inspired me to look at bird baths on the Home Depot website. Might be kind of cute to have one in my backyard for the little tykes. Not sure I’m up to the maintenance of keeping it filled and cleaning it out. Also, I’m still a bit resentful of the mama bird who set up housekeeping and a nursery in my dryer vent, causing me no end of problems and odors. Her ill-chosen domicile did not help to endear me to birds, but I think I’ve gotten over it.