How To Build Your DIY Natural Swimming Pond! Video#3 (Digging and Underlayment)

[@UnitedRanch]

FYI😊...Please note that you may plan your pond to be located on a high water table area where it is possible the hydrostatic pressure from the ground water is so great it could raise your liner after installation even if you have rocks in your pond. This has never happened to me as my pond is located on a hill and on one side of my pond there was already a french drain installed in the ground redirecting that side’s water away from my pond’s location. However, It is something to look into for your specific project👍. If you are determined on building your pond in a high water table location, there are several things you can research and do to prevent “bubbling” of your pond liner to redirect that underground water away from underneath your pond liner. From installing french drains around the pond that are deeper than your pond’s bottom directing that underground water to daylight to other piping with sump pumps, it is something to consider for your project FYI 😊👍.

[@user-pv2by7nv1x]

First video that makes me think i can do this! Moving from the city to the country with land, really want a swim pond!!!

[@UnitedRanch]

Awesome!! Do it!! It’s how I can stand the heat of the summer and working the ranch! Unless doing a ranch project or riding that requires boots, I like using shoes that can get wet after I jump in and I usually where my shirt in the pond (to stay cool during projects, and jump in like every hour lol! It’s so nice!

[@tenplus1025]

Awesome info on liner trench!

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you so much!! I’m glad it could help with your dig!!😊👍💪

[@BY-nc2br]

Thank you so much for this. You’re about to transform my backyard into an oasis.

[@UnitedRanch]

Oh how exciting!!😃👍… have fun with it😊!! You’re very welcome👍

[@barbaragarton2309]

You are amazing, Daniel ! Some good instructions....but I am wondering how many people would have the land or energy to do this themselves. You are an industrious and amazing man !! WOW !

[@UnitedRanch]

Ahh thank you!! By the grace of God I’m able to do this stuff... I really do enjoy it! Yes it’s true some people might not have the space for a swimming pond but you can create a small ornamental fish pond that’s filtered naturally and beautifully through the plant bog filtration system in a small backyard in the city!!👍👍

[@shawnahydinger1270]

thank you so much, you gave me exactly what i was needing to learn, your great!

[@UnitedRanch]

Oh that awesome!!😃… I’m glad it could help😊👍👍

[@oliver3015]

I love the way your pond looks -especially with the waterfall!

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you😊... yes I love having the waterfall... a refreshing sound in the garden!... a lot better than car noise haha😂

[@ezywinzl1]

Excellent video!! Keep up the great work brother! Keep em coming!

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you brother😊

[@willow-wf3jf]

this design with the raised bog is the best. And the trench and carpet are also a great ideas! The only this is.... it looks like the liner is exposed on the edges?

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you! Yes exactly… here’s an option to hide the exposed edges!🤜🤛How to Hide Exposed Pond Liner Edges DIY Natural Swimming Pond Vid #10 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWXNfqGbZcyArNE

[@seanstrickland4970]

Best video yet

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you very much! I hope it helps!!

[@stevespumpkinart8567]

Very cool pond ,my sister-in-law want to build a big pond / swimming pool she wanted to use the clay told her it's too expensive and hard to work with. A liner is the best thing to use . I got a med pond at my house and want to build a bigger one . But very nice landscape also . The creeping Jenny would work nice also you can use moss .

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you for the nice compliments!😊 Yes after a lot of research I chose to go with a liner pond and not clay as well! Oh yes that another idea as well! I actually created a perimeter planting area with fish netting and trampoline safety net that I’ve planted a ton of plants in!! It’s working out really well ans this way the pond is watering the plants for me, it’s cleaning the water even more and I still have the swimming area not clogged with plants👍... I’m hoping to do a vid on it in near future Lord willing! Thanx again!

[@nateharris4875]

Nice Tips

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you brother🤝

[@lobelle7541]

So beautiful!

[@UnitedRanch]

Oh thank you! Many plant additions going on around the pond and garden this spring... Gods beautiful creation👍😊

[@h8tower594]

Love the videos, great looking pond. You have an eye for landscape design! Would you mind talking about the pump a little bit? I was trying to find out more in your videos, maybe I missed it.

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you so much... I really appreciate it!! Yes sorry I have a few more videos to edit for the DIY natural swimming pond build series that I haven’t finished or published yet including one with more of the details of the pump! But I am using a 7,000 gallon per hour energy efficient non submersible pump that I got from an online store with a 3 year warranty I believe. Super simple setup I have I hope I can show on a coming video! If you have specific questions before I post that video go ahead and put it on a comment and I’ll try my best to answer or stir up ideas!👍

[@h8tower594]

@@UnitedRanch thank you for the reply. In general I was very interesting in that bog filter setup. I think I heard you mention the low energy consumption, which interests me. Looking forward to future updates!

[@UnitedRanch]

Ok great!! Yes since it’s a DIY pond build and DIY maintenance I wanted it as basic, low maintenance and cost efficient as I could create it! I’m trying to get a video up of how I clean my bog in the winter and prepare it for spring and then I can get back to working in the pond build series! I found some cool vital things in cleaning my bog filter this year!... (actually the first year I did a thorough cleaning/prep with the plants.👍)

[@Conrad-q5k]

I absolutely love the design of your Pond & bog!! Incredible that it flows into your waterfall and you don't have the typical cost of "AquaBlocks" GREAT JOB!! I'm a little surprised that you don't have an intake bay, skimmer or a secondary filtration source or maybe you do & I missed it?@@UnitedRanch

[@healing2gether]

Hey brother great video! Getting ready to build one myself in southern Arizona. Where did you get the material for the liner? Do you happen to have a complete materials list done? Thanks, Adam The New Woodworker

[@UnitedRanch]

Hey brother! So the liner I got from BTL Liners online and I think they are out of Oregon... but that is their specialty👍 So everyone’s project will be different depending on the natural materials you have and what work you hire out or do yourself but the main material list I purchased was... The pump was around $440, the liner was around $1700, the 6,000 pounds of pea gravel was I think around $90. The two huge flagstones were I think $140 combined. The fish were around 10 for one dollar haha! (Comet goldfish at the feed store). The excavation is tricky because I used the excavator for a French drain for another project as well but the guy said it would’ve been I think around $3500 to excavate the pond and put on the mound for the bog filter. And he was saying I think for a regular pool it would have been around $10,000 for excavation. But that’ll totally depend on various factors for you but it’s a good ballpark👍... or you can rent a bobcat or dig by hand depending on size! And there’s other little things like waterfall foam, plants, boat dock (of railroad ties) and such but those are the main costs! I’ve also added and bottom up aerator and floating planters and planting areas covering the liner sides I plan on doing vids on...but I Hope that helps some👍

[@krissycus]

Hi! I want to do this in Southern AZ too. Did you ever end up building? Please share progress if you can!

[@Conrad-q5k]

I live in Casa Grande, AZ - small world@@krissycus

[@thombaz]

Whats up with pump safety. Do you need to unplug it for swiming or how are they more safe then an aquarium pump?

[@krissycus]

Are you able to do consultations to help people plan for their own diy swimming pond? So many choices, could really use some guidance. Will pay travel fees :) (I'm in AZ)

[@UnitedRanch]

Ahh thank you so much for the kind offer!!☺️. I’m so busy on the ranch I don’t have time to really get away… but I would love to help where I can!! You can ask questions here or possibly send pictures of your layout and your vision maybe on my United Ranch Instagram account since I don’t think you can send pictures here. But ask away and I may be able to give insight😊👍

[@krissycus]

@@UnitedRanch will do! thank you !!

[@morganflaherty9552]

Curious considering a sand substitute fine ground pumice stone I just happen to have a large resource of it near me and several trailer loads worth in my front yard

[@UnitedRanch]

Oh Awesome you have resources around you👍... I love finding and using what is around me or free when I can! I’ve heard of people using sand as an underlayment And I think can be good as long as there’s no sharp rocks it hides as it covers around the rocks (ultimately the rocks possibly puncturing the liner). Also the sides would be hard to impossible to use sand on depending on the decline angle. I think it would be great to use with not many sharp rock threats or a very thick layer of it or using it with something else like carpet or other underlayment👍. Also I don’t know how it does if there is much water that gathers underneath the liner underground (like if it stays in place or shifts any?). Anyways just some thoughts but I’m sure there are great benefits too!

[@JohnDaveMontoyo-nd4nm]

Can u vedio or make a vlog o how does water falls build and how to maintained the water clean

[@UnitedRanch]

Hey there! So here’s a video I did of how I made the waterfall! And the secret I’ve found to water clarity is plants… I have the bog and perimeter plants and floating island plants that help consume the harmful excess ammonia! Direct sun and a hotter water temperature can also make it tough to keep water clear or keep down floating algae

[@UnitedRanch]

How To Build A Natural Pond WATERFALL! (DIY Natural Swimming Pond Build Vid#5) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYDYqoyno5Z-bq8

[@user-pv2by7nv1x]

Will dogs put holes in the liner?

[@morganflaherty9552]

Would old moldy clothes work cuz we quite literally have several tons of it close that is I have no clue what how we're getting rid of it otherwise PS just moved in no clue how the clothes got there in the first place

[@UnitedRanch]

Great thinking👍! I’ve heard online sites warn people of using carpet that was natural like wool as it would be prone to mold and rot away unlike a man made fiber... but honestly I didn’t check each piece of carpet I laid down lol! ... annnnd I highly doubt you would check each tag on the back of shirts 😂😂. To me as long as you do good prep work with removing as many rocks and raking and prepping that dirt and then adding a good thick layer of cushioned padding I wouldn’t be concerned ... and no I don’t smell the carpet after liner is installed or anything like that😂😂. If you choose to use the clothes I personally would be careful of pins or just anything that miiiiight puncture your precious liner👍👍... but I’d say most clothes would be a good option stacked for some thickness... andddd you “get rid of them”... win win👍👍. Gods blessings to ya!

[@MFaith777]

Still curious on cost? Did I miss the video that discusses this? We don’t mind using our own elbow grease, but curious about materials, etc. God bless! :)

[@UnitedRanch]

Hello there! no I haven’t done a video of the cost yet maybe in the future I can😊! So everyone’s project will be different depending on the natural materials you have and what work you hire out or do yourself... but I guess I could make one of the main materials I bought! But for now....The pump was around $440, the liner was around $1700, the 6,000 pounds of pea gravel was I think around $90. The two huge flagstones were I think $140 combined. The fish were around 10 for one dollar haha! (Comet goldfish at the feed store). The excavation is tricky because I used the excavator for a French drain for another project as well but the guy said it would’ve been I think around $3500 to excavate the pond and put on the mound for the bog filter. And he was saying I think for a regular pool it would have been around $10,000 for excavation. But that’ll totally depend on various factors for you but it’s a good ballpark👍... or you can rent a bobcat or dig by hand depending on size! And there’s other little things like waterfall foam, plants, landscape additions, boat dock (of railroad ties) and such but those are the main costs! I Hope that helps👍

[@MFaith777]

@@UnitedRanch thank you! Yes, that helps a ton!! ☺️

[@UnitedRanch]

Oh awesome I am glad😊!

[@HESantos700]

What kind of liner should I use.thx

[@UnitedRanch]

In my pond liner vid I go into depth about what is out there and what I use but short answer is I use RPE liner fro BTL Liners online👍... have fun!

[@chicinthewoods]

Yeah...

[@plumbnplumber]

Dude, whose coordinating your shots?

[@UnitedRanch]

Oh well I just try to figure the angles or shots according to what is being recorded and what I have to work with...not the best but I try to make sense of it all haha!

[@plumbnplumber]

@@UnitedRanch Its awesome dude! Reminds me of educational videos from the 90's. Keep it up

[@UnitedRanch]

Haha that’s awesome! Thanx a lot!!

[@michelmks]

Man, your water is very green! I don´t know if your system works...

[@UnitedRanch]

If you are referring to the bright green yellowish color to left of the pond, that is caused by the reflection of the bright green/yellowish oak tree leaf reflection and the video lighting. If you look to the right of the same video shot you will see a blue white color as that is the reflection the blue sky. But having a slight greenish tint is not uncommon due to no chemicals (chlorine) and not using UV. But that is my preference of my efficient natural setup. Merry Christmas!

[@hgdon-homeiswheretreesare-9239]

So it has a liner. I’d like to build a pond without a liner.

[@UnitedRanch]

Yes mine I chose an RPE liner instead of say bentonite clay for various reasons... but hope your project goes well!👍

[@olegpavlov9717]

Hi, nice pond but the edge work is bad. Uncovered liner looks ugly and not save because it could be slippery. Also i don't understand why you decided to go without any skimmer or an intake bay. You have so many trees around.. without a skimmer you pond will be full of leaves or you'll spend all the time taking it out.

[@UnitedRanch]

Thank you! So I think the exposed liner along the edges doesn’t look natural and that is why I have recently started propagating creeping Jenny all along the edges that will droop over the liner edges with the beautiful green leaves and seasonal yellow flowers... my bog filter’s exposed liner has creeping Jenny covering the edge liner now and it looks absolutely beautiful and natural and covers the black liner so nice! I chose to not have the swimming area clogged with plants for more swimming and play area space and that is why I didn’t do a shelf along the edges. I would actually say my pond is very safe compared to having the edges and such lined with rock or flagstone because as I swim or play volleyball or football in the pond with friends it would be Very bad if we jumped into or swam into the rocks along edges or shallow areas... but having just the soft liner in the swimming area and edges is very safe for my desires. Any where in the pond you can easily grab the edge of the pond if need be and you can enter and exit anywhere along the pond but I’ve specifically designed for people to enter/exit by the boat dock or my shallow wading area that gradually gets deeper from there (you can walk down the wading area). Maybe if my pond was deeper or larger or somehow blocked along the edges it could be more an issue but I like having soft edges and bottom for safety in swimming and people playing in the pond. I do however want to build a ladder on the boat dock for another easy way to access the pond. As far as the leaves go.... I have no issue using the leaf rake and scooping out the leaves and my farm plants loveee the fertilizer I gather from the bottom and it doesn’t take much time. If the bottom of the pond was all flat maybe it would would be more an issue to rake out leaves but since my pond has slanted edges it directs the leaves to certain deeper areas that I scoop the leaves from... again not a problem for me. I decided not to have a skimmer because I was looking to build and maintain my pond for the least amount of money as I could and I wanted the least amount of mechanical parts operating the pond ( less to install, less to upkeep, less to repair, less to run). I understand some would just not rather rake out leaves and that is ok😊. I hope you have a great day😊👍!

[@olegpavlov9717]

@@UnitedRanch As for the exposed liner, it's your choice. There are many ways to design a beach without stones. For example, cover it with gravel or sand. Of course, these are additional expenses, but they are not so significant. And everything will look much more attractive, and not like just a reservoir for collecting water. We build ponds for many years. My opinion is that it is better to pay a little extra at first, so that you will not regret it for 50 years after. As for the skimmer. I understand that branded skimmers are very expensive, but there is nothing complicated, you can easily make a skimmer out of a garbage can for example. Or even build an intake bay, which is even better. After all, the role of the skimmer is mechanical filtration of water before it enters the biofilter. If the water is supplied to the bog without filtration, there is a risk of clogging the underground pipes with mud very quickly. Especially if there are fish in the pond. In any case, I wish you good luck with your pond and hope that the water will always be clear (by the way, you did not show the quality and transparency of the water on the video).

[@UnitedRanch]

There is definitely a wide variety of tastes 😊! At the end of my 2” flexible pvc pipe inlet for my pond pump (that sucks water from my main pond) I have glued on an enexpensive water pump strainer which is like a small screen guard I bought to prevent main debris, leaves and fish lol from going into my pump area.... but before my external pump there is also a strainer basket that came with the pump where I can remove the basket to take out any leaves or debris... but it rarely rarely has anything in it. From my research I have chosen not to do any other type of filtering (like foam or such) before the bog filter because that defeats the purpose of the plant bog filtration. Also my inlet pipe does not rest in pond muck (or else yes I could see how that would be bad for the pump and bog filter piping). And maybe one day after I wrap up the how to video series I can show a cool video of like the fish or the bullfrogs in the pond or something😊. Thank you very much and same to you!👍

[@UnitedRanch]

I also installed clean out pipes for each of my 3 10’ bog pipes underneath my 12” deep pea gravel in my bog just in case I ever need to flush out the system... but so far it’s running as strong and efficient as day one so hasn’t been necessary.