Talking with permaculture guru's

A friend and myself went off to our local community garden information night again and the guest speakers tonight were a local couple who are a part of the Permaculture NZ group. It was fascinating hearing them talk about it all (rather than just reading books as has been my only real exposure) and I even got to ask a few questions to help problem solve some issues I was facing. I have finally (!) figured out my dilemma on whether to get our bore assessed which would include having the water tested and then the $$ required to fit a pump etc or to go with the existing water tank that is built in under our porch from the days when there was no town supply (only 20 or so years ago). The problem is that our water tank will only provide a slow trickle of water down the gentle slope towards the garden, and there is no pump attached, however, we should be able to trickle feed the water out of the tank via a hose into a holding tank/trough where we can scoop a watering can into and water the garden that way (or get an irrigation hose with holes that can deep water the garden). Phew, sounds simple, now just need to source the trough to do that with (and safety proof it from the kids).