The damage to the cucumber leaf... I would not ascribe to the ants.
I wouldn't even worry about that small damage at my house.
Ants always move into those soil filled containers.
No surprise there.
Getting pots back from the ants.... Usually involves making it too wet for them.
At my house, I put the container in a saucer or tub or something to drown the ants out.
Not sure anything can be done with the wading pool.
Suggest starting an in-ground bed.
Side-by-side comparisons are always a good idea.
