DIY Budget Ecosystem Pond, The Truth 1 Year Later

Last year I remade the pond at my parent's house in place of a different DIY Budget Ecosystem Pond. Over the course of five days, I built it by hand using DIY techniques and materials. For example, I made the filter from a trash can. Since then it’s become what can only be described as a thriving ecosystem both inside and out, full of creatures that moved in on their own accord.
Original Build Video
• DIY Budget Ecosystem P...
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[@SerpaDesign]

Pond Season is finally here, and I thought this was a great way to kick things off! I’m really pleased with how this one is developing. What do you think of its progress? I'm just getting started, though, and have some awesome stuff in the works right now. Have a great weekend SerpaSquad!

[@ShotgunShells-cu6yz]

love it

[@user-cz5uf5yr5y]

Its great love it

[@NM-kl9ws]

What do you do, if anything, to the pond for winter? I’m in the south, so having a functional pond would probably require more summer-than-winter maintenance (water levels being top of my list), but I’m curious if you have to cover the pond or just let it be. It seems to be doing great with minimal maintenance!

[@tonyadams4726]

Hi thank you for doing this wsp😅because I am pretty sure you said you live in the same area as me. The New Jersey, PA, and Delaware area(if I am remembering wrong sorry). I would love an outdoor pond in our next home because we are selling in PA and moving to Delaware once my oldest is off to MIT. I always thought it’s just to cold here to do this here so this give me the courage to try it. Any tips or any of your videos you think I should watch for tips on this please let me know.

[@Jenna2305]

I have been WAITING for this!!😆

[@michaelwilliams3641]

The time lapse showing the water clearing up was a good idea.

[@katelynnm5686]

Your parents are so fortunate to have a master to build them a pond. It’s beautiful! I’m still dreaming up my pond but I feel it’s a year or two away at this point. For now I enjoy my little container pond.

[@toddbigeasy]

Ain't that the truth! I would love to have tanner design a pond for me!❤

[@samgerarden-uz7cx]

It would be awesome to see you incorporate more native plants into your outdoor builds. Or something exclusively using native plants. Love the way this build came together!

[@cityslicker77]

Agreed.. and more nature centers are having native plant sales/fundraisers

[@ERROR_A23]

Love the little pops of colour with the red.

[@ericb4492]

I had no idea that impatients could be marginal plants!

[@jrmunro111]

​@@ericb4492of course, the impatiens I'm familiar with (Impatiens capensis) because it is native my area grows almost exclusively in riparian regions

[@Velehna]

Agreed. The pops of red really showcase the fish. It was the perfect finishing touch.

[@alexv3652]

I'd love to see you do a swimming pond or natural pool- there's not too many good DIY videos for them right now, but when properly balanced it can let you swim with fish

[@irenicrose]

You should replace the mint with a native plant, and add native pollinator flowers around the pond. Pollinator gardens are beautiful and help the local ecosystem.

[@erikvan5600]

Absolutely stunning pond! One point I want to highlight, is when outside planting, I think native plants to your area should be a highlight as they are crucial for the greater ecosystem outdoors! Love your work, and would love to see more!

[@TiniestTurtle]

My wife and I just bought our first home, and I can't wait to do something similar! Looks great!

[@ellier3405]

Beautiful! Would love to see more of an emphasis on native plants and sustaining local food webs… ponds and even small bubbling fountains are incredible for birds!!! Any Doug Tallamey fans here? Your followers are already interested in nature, so imagine the difference you could make if you talked about protecting wildlife biodiversity with a little pond! People just simply don’t know about the problem, and you have the platform to create awareness.

[@BeOurBee]

There's a kind of wild, US-native Impatiens (Impatiens capensis) that grows tall, deep green, and blooms in late autumn with bright orange, orchid-like flowers. When the flowers ripen they make exploding seed pods that burst from the force of snapping coiled internal structures and fling seeds out in all directions. Usually called "common jewelweed." I've had some success raising from seed and I have a black thumb, so it might be something to try for your next pond build. I see them growing along creek beds and banks even in sandy soil. They also love shade to partial shade.

[@JustinFromThe206]

The sounds at 7:40 mark man I could just listen to that for days so relaxing! This pond is awesome.

[@TheSeptemberRose]

This pond is absolutely beautiful! I'm glad you addressed the Heron issue in an animal friendly way and added more plants!

[@funkyfro4]

Idk how many of your videos I’ve watched over the years, but I’m always surprised at how many times you blow my mind with quick info on what and why you’re doing the things in the video.

[@robinwilssens4960]

The pop of red flowers was lovely!

[@sarahwatts7152]

I love the vibe of this one: visiting with animals/education/update. It's a fresh take on a channel standby video format

[@tuckerbetz9585]

Your parents’ pond looks great now Tanner!

[@MsLeenite]

The pond is looking great! Wherever the little frog hopped from, it certainly knows a good place to be. And the fish seem to be thriving. The plants, both terrestrial and aquatic, are so artfully arranged that they look totally natural. The moss has filled its niche perfectly. I'd say this project has been a big success!

[@blackie1of4]

Absolutely gorgeous 😍 Most of us spend our life trying to figure out OUR gift.. you obviously found yours at a young age and have thrived replicating it! God bless you and your family ❤

[@jackleonard2088]

Such a lovely little pond. Can’t imagine anything being more enjoyable to have in your yard.

[@Alex-jv4hi]

I loved all of the closer looks at the moved-in life. the bugs and frogs and moss made me very happy

[@MimiMcWil]

I built my first pond with rocks off our property and an old waterbed mattress. A pump and fish was all I had to buy! It lasted great!!

[@windsonghillranch4306]

This is a beautiful set up. Our pond started very simply with a hand dug hole, a couple feeder gold fish, and a $25 solar pump. It has grown and thrived over time. The fancy ponds seemed out of reach, but we started simply and love it. The plants and frogs and dragonflies arrived on their own. So don't worry about the price tags, any pond is way better than no pond!

[@keelhe893]

This little DIY pond looks luxurious great job Tanner

[@Lobstersbetwerkin]

I really like the definition of things popping up on the screen!

[@pudakis]

That place is right up the street from me. Great pond

[@bigstyleart]

This was beautiful to watch. Thank you for sharing the update.

[@loribell6453]

I have my own 8 acre property now, and I plan to put multiple pond features on it. This is great for instruction and inspiration! Thank you! 🙏😊👍

[@Jonas187-qc4tw]

The pond looks great! A month ago I got my “big" pond (500l) ready for spring, I cleaned it and set up a bog filter which has given me great success so far in terms of water clarity and quality, I added a stream and got a bunch of new plants. Before I can get my first fish though, I need to fix the stream because it's leaking a lot...

[@mellie4174]

loved seeing an update! wonderful! just wanted to give a suggestion for fish protection. My uncle used overturned curved terracotta roof tiles in the bottom of the pond so that the fish could swim in and hide when predators were around. especially since things like raccoons are sneaky and will come eat your fish at night. i hope that helps!

[@judymckerrow6720]

I LOVE your pond Tanner ! I’m sure your parents love it too ! 💐💚🙃

[@assiahinarkansas]

Beautiful project. ❤ Lucky parents 😊

[@kaybee_en]

I could just sit and watch this with the waterfall going for awhile. Likely much better in person. Thanks for sharing.

[@Anawebster86]

Beautiful pond what a lucky mom

[@moda78z]

It’s absolutely beautiful 😍

[@VictoriaAllred]

Thank you for the update on this pond! Let's see yours next!

[@nzletterbox]

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to seeing how the pond at your place is going.

[@AnthonyHernandez-wi7zu]

Crazy how time flies in 14 turning on 15 now but in 2019 I remember watching u I was about 9-10 I remember watching u make terrariums I use to go out and try to recreate what u use to do and let’s just say it wasn’t good but that’s not my point my point is that I thank you for making some of my childhood even tho I’m still a child jst wanted to say u inspired me in ways I coudnt imagine love your vids

[@slamrock17]

Those pepper plants looked great!

[@jameshickling2641]

This is so beautiful Looking forward to seeing update of your one too!!

[@kiernanscanlon8965]

Always love seeing pond updates 😍 and this one is looking gorgeous! Glad to see the diy techniques held up!

[@saltyfresh9712]

Thank you for this update ❤

[@missmeowmix7960]

Yes I’ve been looking forward to an update on this 🤩

[@CrazyAzN4169]

IVE BEEN WAITING 9 months for this lol!!!! 🎉😂

[@ZaDussault]

I love it so much that you make follow up videos!

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

That is my dream pond! A peaceful oasis. (Gina)

[@banderton3498]

Beautiful

[@caloocanboy5800]

Hey tanner! when will you make an update video for the other massive pond build 9 months ago😅

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

Probably about 3 months from now 😂

[@StiffPvtParts]

The hype is real!

[@jules7740]

So cool! Love that it supports local wildlife that volunteered to live there ❤

[@BCDLB]

love this series

[@morneschaap2944]

Beautiful! I love it!

[@MandyJane123700]

Beautiful!

[@dahlmasen3084]

I live the little hooks with flower pots hanging in them, I’m stealing that idea😁

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

Mosaic plant! I can never find any in my area. I did once years ago and lost it the following year. What amazed me is, its part of the ludwigia family of plants!

[@happylittleacident]

i love the pop of red flowers with the goldfish it looks so good

[@tessastaubly8148]

update vids are so valuable. i really appreciate you telling us the how and why of its development, I can't wait to someday make a pond of my own.

[@parttimeninja5521]

Lovely pond and very cute frogs 🐸

[@austinwebbcreative]

Love this pond!! Thank tiny for the inspiration!

[@Annazumi]

Your videos are always so inspiring! Thank you!

[@EdwardHall-pg5eg]

Thanks for the tips!

[@Bedlamite23]

Lucky me, this is the year we are doing our pond and I remembered your video when you put this in, and woo hoo! an update posted yesterday. Great work, fingers crossed our works as well. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@nightlite9009]

The Looks amazing! I'm more an aquarium guy, but this is just incredible. It was amazing even before you made changes. It is wonderful.

[@BobyChanMan]

Great way to start the weekend, thanks Tanner!

[@woodfield9584]

The pond looks great

[@Tycamu]

Hope to see your pond soon 😊, i think it will be amazing

[@PorkyTheChop]

Looks awesome, love the flowers

[@quandaledingle113]

So beautiful

[@woodfield9584]

The pond looks beautiful

[@jimmyjames2022]

Gorgeous pond, turned out great! Not sure I'd have cut the mint so low. Taller plants means more shade. Reduces overheating of water and provides more cover from birds. But then the mint will grow back.

[@pipdippitydoooo1158]

Perfect timing as I'm over here dreaming of a pond 😊

[@nancydenmark1614]

In a word; beautiful!

[@IRISnGEN]

The Salamanders love this oasis!!

[@feralon9570]

Stunning.

[@toddbigeasy]

That's beautiful! I want one..

[@makradonakal]

EPIC !!!

[@MeowtroidPrime]

I just set up my little tub pond last week so I've got that pond bug too! It's been great seeing the progress on this one - I'd love to see another tub pond/patio pond from you too, and I've been looking forward to your update on your gigantic backyard pond also

[@hanswurst1125]

This is beautifull!!!!

[@paulmuadib8955]

I like when you say " dont you think?" ... then i start thinking about my life and try to think more.... sometimes partaking of the moss. Morivational speaker you are!

[@toniduval4350]

I'm like constantly pregnant and thus unable to lift much of anything, but I seriously hope to make a DIY water feature in my own backyard one day and pass the natural garden bug to my babies - can't be a small one, go big or go home! ❤❤❤

[@user-jb1pp2ge9x]

That’s pretty cool

[@jmarshal]

I adore your outdoor ponds. I don’t have room for a pond but I want to use some of your methods for an outdoor water bowl.

[@lindachenoweth9002]

Beautiful Tanner! Wished mine looked that good!

[@Earthstein]

I love the pond. I think SerpaDesign does a much more beautiful plant design than any of the Mega $$$$ Pond Ego First guys. My vote as best, by far; SerpaDesign.

[@howtoraiseyourcaterpillar3884]

I love watching your videos. Your eye for design is wonderful! I have a challenge for you. This pond is outside, and you mentioned attracting wildlife. However, the plants you mention are not native to the US. My challenge to you is to build something with 100% native to the area plants. I think when you research it, you will find the wildlife you attract will be huge!

[@chefmichaelt]

Beautiful ❤❤❤

[@tymo21]

Great quality

[@Vi_sVids]

AAAAH FINALLYYY YESSASKFOSKGO I've been waiting for this foreverrr

[@stevecarr323]

Fantastic! And, the the mint is edible! I'd love to build another pond, but illness prevents the heavy lifting and bending. I'm afraid my next pond will have to be built by a pond contractor!

[@mycologyman2369]

Yes mushroom love ❤️

[@themacroworld_]

amazing creation. Love this content ❤

[@Hannah-CatLady]

Stunning 😦

[@-beee-]

How cool! It makes sense that it takes plant and algae maintenance, but I must confess that part made me feel sad because it makes doing something like this feel more daunting. 😅 would love if you do a demo on, like, low maintenance pond design

[@Linny14]

A banger as always! Looking to buy my first home and a pond is a must!!

[@PureAndShrimple]

You're making me want to redo my totally overgrown pond

[@melsyoutube]

gorgeous

[@growityourown4208]

Nature's Aquatics Is a great place! when I lived in Pittsburgh I used to go there a lot

[@carpenterandclay]

awesome and beautiful

[@EsponjosoPollito]

Seems to be a good day today, my Darkling beetles are thriving and new serpa upload! ❤

[@tinav5987]

Stunning !!🌿🍃🐟🐠💦

[@semjart]

Another banger in your collection, love the storytelling in this video!!❤