How to Convert a Swimming Pool into a Koi Pond Water Garden Project New Jersey

How to convert a swimming pool to a koi pond project is explained. A swimming pool changed to a koi pond is easy to do for the pond experts at Full Service Aquatics of Summit, NJ. Check out this project that takes an old unused swimming pool and turns it into an amazing koi pond water garden. The Pond Hunter created this project for a Tennessee homeowner. Full Service Aquatics is based out of Summit, NJ and specializes in koi ponds, water gardens, ponds, and water features of all type.
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[@sissymurphy9620]

people have been asking this on the garden pond forum so sharing it with them .GREAT

[@ThatPondPlace]

Perfect! pass it along!

[@WillDeasy]

Have you ever approached a tv network for tv show? I think it could go huge. Please push out more videos!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey Will. I think the aquatic genre in TV is completely overlooked. I agree it could be amazing. I don't know where to start as far as contacting networks.... I'll have more vids coming, and thanks for the encouragement! -Mike

[@smetzger779]

Beautiful transformation Mike....as usual!!! Beautiful job!!!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thank you Susan!!

[@projektor4]

Very impressive rock effects, ...especially the water flowing upwards effect between 8:57 and 9:02 ;-)

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey not everyone can make water flow uphill, takes years of experience. Our next project will be the "upside down" pond. Ambitious, ..I know.

[@tammyj2873]

Absolutely amazing! I’m also in TN, but my Koi pond doesn’t compare. Lol that is really gorgeous ❤️

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thanks so much. We just might be back for another pond project next year!

[@ameliaandes797]

Now, I saw the Koi pond with a Koi in the pond. Thanks.

[@sharonroberts7782]

Beautiful! What a job!

[@abigailemmertart]

Absolutely beautiful! I would have loved to learn more about what you did to cap off the existing pool lines? We are looking at doing this with our own pool.!

[@ThatPondPlace]

We drained the lines completely, we removed as much of the old pipe as was accessible, and then installed PVC pipe caps over the cut ends of the remaining pipe.

[@tommaddox6652]

Great Job. I want to do one with a fiberglass pool I can get. Question. Why the Pool liner? Won't the pool be watertight anyway?.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hello Tony. Thanks for the comment. The thin vinyl liner that swimming pools use would not be heavy duty enough for the type of work that we do. We install a very heavy duty EPDM liner for all project we do.

[@tommaddox6652]

@@ThatPondPlace i understand for a lined pool. But I am talking about a fiberglass free formed watertight pool. Having trouble understanding why use a liner. I would think you could just use earth (sand and Gravel) as it appears naturally in a pond with good filtration. Trying to learn.

[@ThatPondPlace]

@@tommaddox6652 Hi Tom. I don't see a problem converting a pool that is fiberglass and water tight to a pond and not using an added liner. I am using a liner in the projects I've featured because I am reducing the depths of the pools that I am converting to ponds. Almost all the pools I've worked with have been originally 8' deep and I am reducing depth to 4' at the deepest, typically. I back-fill the 8' deep pool to the desired depth of 4'. With the new 4' depth, I then line the interior with EPDM to create the new pond structure. If the pond is going to be 8' deep then lining the pool may be an unnecessary step and expense. In my projects, all the pools are being converted to a lesser depth, hence, the liner. Hope that clarifies my process better for the specific projects that I have shared.

[@tommaddox6652]

Great. Thanks for taking the time to answer. Can you suggest sources as to where I could learn about what type of bottom fill one would us (liner or not) to build the best eco pond floor for the pond and plant and fish life. It must make a huge difference.

[@ThatPondPlace]

@@tommaddox6652 For all the ponds that we build I am using river gravel with a 3/4"-1" grain size as the substrate for the interior floors and shelves of the pond. I keep the substrate at a 2" thickness when installing it. Don't go deeper or shallower than 2" thickness for your pond's substrate. Too deep or shallow and you will not get the desired results. The substrate type and how it is installed is really important for the "eco-system pond" method of construction. When you see, hear, read those who bash the use of gravel in ponds as a substrate it is usually because they have done it wrong and suffered the consequences, or cannot understand the massive benefits of using the gravel. Just do it correctly and you're pond will be a pleasure!!

[@isaacrodriguez2523]

You have such different technic then other pond guys, good to know there's more then one way to skin a cat, and build a pond.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey Isaac. There are many ways to create a successful pond for sure. There are many more to build a pond wrong!! Thanks for watching. -Mike

[@sheelajoeboy2830]

Really good... I would suggest some water plants , fern n Moss to go with it.. I would be a brilliant treat for eyes..

[@ThatPondPlace]

Yes! great suggestions! thanks for checking out the videos

[@marciduckworth3905]

I have a pool just like this surrounded by trees too. How are they going to keep the leaves out of the koi pond??

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thanks for asking! We use skimming systems on our pond installations for easy collection of floating leaf material and other floating debris.

[@joshsfishroom7702]

This is an awesome pond! You guys did an amazing job!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey thanks!

[@JoshsWorld]

Great video! It's like a HGTV show without the fake drama. 👍

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thanks Josh! NO drama!

[@silasmayes7954]

Wow! This looks great!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thank you Silas!

[@TommysTanks]

Great job

[@thomas7247]

Just curious. Why do they put a pond liner in if a pool is meant to hold water?

[@ThatPondPlace]

The shell of the pool is back-filled with material to create the pond, so a liner is typically necessary. It also allows for guarantee of workmanship with a new liner installed.

[@aliakbar4803]

Dude it’s awesome. Great works 👍

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thank you Ali!! fun project

[@andrewjohnson6364]

Looks awesome! Great work.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thanks Andrew! It was a very fun project

[@No_life_haha]

Dang!!! I need to hit the lottery soon!!!

[@ThatPondPlace]

I'm praying for you!

[@projektxent]

I know people have filled their pool for various reasons. I wish this video existed then to show another use for a pool no one wants

[@ThatPondPlace]

old pools can be repurposed into some amazing features!! thanks for commenting

[@cathymaynen324]

Great job. It's nice to see a pond made that is good for the fish. There's another company that does these and does not build for the fish

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thanks Cathy! It is important to know "how" a pond will be used so the construction approach will match the end user! In this case it was fish!!!

[@AnnetteBestwick]

Awesome work..will you be revisiting to see all the planting around it in the future?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hello Annette! Yes, we will be doing follow up on this project, stay tuned!!

[@kebabish007]

super job

[@lyndawms]

What about bottom drains, and plumbing??

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hello Lyndawms! what are you asking about bottom drains and plumbing?? I'm happy to help

[@neilsen69]

Awesome video, what was wrong with the original depth? If you left the original depth, could you skip the liner all together?

[@ThatPondPlace]

The budget was not there to make the pond 8' deep.

[@elfocker]

Beautiful, but I was hoping you would show more of the filtration and plumbing set up.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey! I should have touched more on the equipment, but feel free to contact me with any questions and I am happy to reply in detail. Thanks for watching!

[@Davidj3]

That looked like a lot of hard work. But the finished product looks great. A lot of space for koi and a awesome waterfall. Great job!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey David. The koi we put in have already spawned and now there is a huge cloud of swirling color in the pond because of so many babies! It's pretty awesome. Thanks for the kind words!

[@debrabelton3161]

Can you swim in this? I have an old pool I'd like to convert into a natural pool. Any ideas.? I really like this.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hello Debra. One of the newest (not so new really) trends in the industry is recreational ponds which are designed with swimming and fun in mind. Yes, you can have one too!!

[@DawnDBoyerPhD]

Stunning!!!!!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thank you Dawn!

[@imaflowerhorn6458]

Lovely

[@neilsshed2755]

Whats the actual longevity of a project like this? i.e leaking from pond lining or pool substrate? thanks.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Longevity is excellent. The liner has a 20 year warranty and 40 year life expectancy.

[@GetTheMoonMommy]

This is such an incredible transformation! You do truly lovely work. Perhaps one day I can have your company build me a beauty like this one. :)

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hi Lauren. Thanks for such kind words. I would be happy to be a part of your project when that day comes!! Keep me in mind!! -Mike

[@thejudge1870]

Do y’all use water from lakes or other ponds??

[@ThatPondPlace]

From time to time we might, but it is pretty rare that we do.

[@davidjacobs3579]

I wonder what something like this would cost?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hello David. Prices can vary pretty wildly. General same price point as a high end swimming pool. $50K+

[@taaooo]

Would this work with fiberglass

[@ThatPondPlace]

I think it would work well.

[@geertslandwaterscapes7930]

Wicked transformation to a pond, Mike! Great Tennessee stone work. I see too many old/unused pools being filled in with dirt around my Ottawa, Canada area by fellow landscapers that could have turned into a therapeutic paradise!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thank you Geert. It is not too difficult to make an incredible transformation to old swimming pools!

[@jayvasq160]

What about doing a saltwater pond?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Salt water ponds are great for areas with consistent warm weather. A different approach in many ways, than how a koi pond is built of course; but it's been done.

[@aargomemnon]

Can this be done in Dallas?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thanks for reaching out. Absolutely this type of project can be done in Dallas. If you need more info or any help give me a shout.

[@anthonychan3483]

Just discovered your channel. Love the transformation from swimming pool into a koi pond. What's the approximately budget for this project?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hello Anthony. Thanks for checking out the vids and commenting. Projects of this type will typically range from $50K+ depending upon exactly how you approach the project.

[@foobarmaximus3506]

@@ThatPondPlace LOLOL - Get real bro.

[@RhododendronHtang]

😱😱😱😱 It is a big project...

[@ThatPondPlace]

Big project, big fun!!

[@brookeb283]

About how much does it cost to convert a pool about this size?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hello Brooke. Pricing on these type of projects can vary quite a bit. Most conversion projects will start around $60K+ and can easily get to be much more. Thanks for checking out the video! Mike

[@deezie78]

We have the same size pool and I would do this in a second, love it* can you tell me about how much something like this cost? so I can start saving :)

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey Deezie. These are such awesome projects. I hope you can get it done someday! Pricing on these projects can vary pretty wildly. What I say pricing is really would apply to a company like mine, you may find other professionals that could have significant price differences, higher or lower, than my company. With that said, a price range for a project like this would likely be $60K to $100K.

[@deezie78]

@@ThatPondPlace well if I were to do this to our pool, I would want to hire YOUR company* we are in CT

[@marciduckworth3905]

Following

[@AMonikaD]

Where in the world do you get such huge liners?? Just started to watch your videos and I am amazed at the size of those liners. I built my own pond and the liners available to hobbists are so small!!!! Great Job you do! Come to Canada and build my pond!

[@ThatPondPlace]

If you think that is big you need to see my latest video!! I'd come to Canada in a heartbeat if you'd like for me to build a pond for you!! Thanks for watching!

[@dadoody]

interesting

[@jeffrichards2954]

Very nice job well done, much more of a water garden then a Kio pond, with all the level changes and rocks it will be difficult to keep clean and at only four feet deep your Kio will be difficult to grow to jumbo size (over 90cm). I did not notice a bottom drain. Happy ponding.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thanks Jeff. I can assure you this is 100% koi pond, no intention of water garden here, that would require....plants. There are lots of koi in it and at 18000 gallons I'm sure all the koi will get plenty big. The goal was not necessarily to produce jumbo koi as you are assuming it is; this client simply wanted a place for her 7 koi fish. This pond is in pristine condition and no bottom drain is needed. I appreciate your criticism but they are not accurate in this case since you really don't understand what the goal of this project was. If it was your pond I'm sure it would have everything YOU'D want to produce jumbo koi.

[@ThatPondPlace]

@Jeff In Chicago LOL. Sorry you are finding me so rude. I guess after so may years of posts I'm bound to offend someone, and apparently its you! LOL. Keep the mute on, no worries here. I'm sure there are lots of polite, non-offensive, safe-place posts you can enjoy here on YT.

[@ChelseaGirlStatus]

Why did you reduce it to 4ft from 8? Why not give the fish max space?

[@ThatPondPlace]

It was a budget issue. MUCH more expensive for an 8' deep pond than a 4' deep.

[@ChelseaGirlStatus]

@@ThatPondPlace theres really no point in arguing this because it was the customer's choice but that doesn't make sense to have it more expensive to use what you already had. But none the less beautiful work.

[@ThatPondPlace]

@@ChelseaGirlStatus Thanks I'm happy you like how it looks, but who's arguing? I had no idea I was in an argument with you!! I'm confident that if you actually understood how pricing on these projects works in real life, you would have come to the same conclusion. I've been pricing and spec'ing projects for 25 years, have you priced any? I've had many people ask the same about this project; you are the first that can't understand and the only one who thinks we are arguing.

[@ChelseaGirlStatus]

@@ThatPondPlace ahaha oh dear, no i was just saying there was no point of me asking further questions of why you did it how you did because its the customer decision in the end. This is a perfect example of how text doesn't convey tone of voice.

[@ThatPondPlace]

@@ChelseaGirlStatus good news! I don't like arguing! Thanks again for commenting. Believe me if I had it my way it would have been 8' deep! Enjoy

[@DucTran-kf8up]

At the beginning I thought you weren't gonna put a liner in and just use the existing concrete

[@ThatPondPlace]

We always use a new EPDM liner with these type of projects.

[@vegasdavetv]

thePondHunter So I've seen some ponds that are flat on bottom and have a bottom drain so that the drain can be open and the fish waste falls right at that the bottom can be cleaned out naturally by the drain, sloped bottom and water jets. However with your ponds with all the rock in the bottom what do you do or how do you clean that of fish waste over the long time

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hi Dave. The ponds we build are flat bottom with a slope toward deepest end. At the deep end another depression is excavated to allow us to drop a pump into it when cleaning the pond. The gravel simply gets rinsed and the sedimented water drains into the depression and is pumped out as opposed to gravity drained out. Same concept as what you are referring to, just a different approach.

[@gayleharrelson579]

nice job but if it was mine I would have left it as deep as it was cleaned it really good & made a lot of tunnels.

[@vegasdavetv]

was the water declorinted

[@ThatPondPlace]

Yes Dave, the water was treated with all the various neutralizers but it was actually un-chlorinated at time of delivery, we still treat the water anyway.

[@PickleRL3]

It's in better use now

[@ThatPondPlace]

For sure it is! and the fish are doing amazing.

[@biggils8894]

What happens if it leaks? Whoops! Suppose you reverse the build process and start again.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Let's hope it does not leak!! BUT, if it does we have ways to fix any leak.

[@philipmontanti7344]

How much did you charge for this pond?

[@ThatPondPlace]

A project of this type, not necessarily this pond, will generally run around $90K or more depending on the exact project.

[@user-yp4sp8oi8o]

How much did this cost?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Alot!!

[@adam60311]

Freaking awesome.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thanks Adam!!

[@adam60311]

Np. Literally looking at buying a house with a pool but wanted a koi pond instead. Didn’t know converting pool to a koi pond is a possibly 🤘🏻

[@ThatPondPlace]

@@adam60311 We've done this type of conversion several times for various clients. It CAN be done! Best of luck.

[@CHRONICjon716]

Why no bottom drain?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey Big Stank! A bottom drain would not have been a good option for this type of pond construction, we used underwater jets for the same type of function or better.

[@CHRONICjon716]

thePondHunter wonderful makes sense. Thank you!

[@Amy-dw7ii]

Anyone know what this costs? Ballpark? 50k ?

[@ThatPondPlace]

I do... that is the lower end of the ballpark, but you are in the park!!

[@Amy-dw7ii]

thePondHunter Oh well I guess I will keep dreaming then. 😇 Fabulous job!

[@ThatPondPlace]

@@Amy-dw7ii Dreams come true!

[@CooperJones777]

Looks like a pond by Walmart imho. No wood? No plants?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Walmart pond! That's a new criticism. In the video, you do not see any plants, driftwood, or other additions that were installed.

[@davidkimoochiiford3314]

No bottom drain? Lots of sharp rock corners for the koi to injure themselves on? Started off with 8 ft. depth, but reduced it down to 3-4 ft. Why? This sure is unlike the koi ponds at the big farms in Japan.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Correct. We are not in Japan, we are not koi farmers. If you'd like to expand on your points I'd be happy to address them.

[@octobersix2003]

Where is the bottom drain and how did you setup the filters?

[@ThatPondPlace]

@Jeff In Chicago Rude? if an answer is really wanted then give me something to answer, not a highly open ended half-question. I will answer respectfully. The basic answer to all these questions are that the client wanted and paid for exactly how we executed the project. We made the client happy and completed everything to THE CLIENT'S specs. I don't think my client would have been happy with your solution to the project. If viewers disagree with what my clients want there is not alot I can do to change that, we are not working for them, we are working for the client. These projects are not according to what I want or a viewer wants, I have clients I need to make happy. Sorry if I came across rude to anyone, I'm not a rude person but if someone sees me that way, then ok.

[@telefunkenyou47]

My cat thinks you should stop once you've backfilled with kitty litter.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Ha! quite the deluxe litter box!!

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

Might be interesting if you had used white sands in a pool with clean fish not Carp relatives. Different.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Yes Stan that would be very different!

[@pondkingprojectshowcasesin4124]

BEAUTIFUL!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thank you Pond King Nick!! I appreciate the feedback!

[@gracegabriel878]

BEAUTIFUL I LOVE IT♡

[@ThatPondPlace]

Thank you Grace! more good stuff is coming!!

[@kavindunethmina1247]

cost??????????????

[@ThatPondPlace]

These type of projects can range quite a bit from $50K and UP.

[@deezie78]

we have so many raccoons here , is it easy for the raccoons to reach the Koi?

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hello Deezie. Our construction methods make raccoon a NON issue. We take additional measures to help protect our koi and goldfish from other predators like the GBH as well. We create built in fish caves and tunnels for the koi to hide in if they feel threatened.

[@foobarmaximus3506]

If I wanted to clean the bottom of my pool, I'd just turn it back into a swimming pool.

[@ThatPondPlace]

cool.

[@sbkpeace.24]

8 days

[@legozombiemocmaker8026]

Why not leave it 8 foot deep

[@ThatPondPlace]

That depth was not in this client's budget.

[@ThatPondPlace]

@Jeff In Chicago you are partially correct, partially, there was a lot more to the project than that; but I appreciate your insight.

[@daveobrien2481]

@@ThatPondPlace I can see a better reason for not leaving the pool at 8 feet. Being a pond owner myself, you have to consider the turnover of the water. For any koi pond, you should turn the entire pond over through the filters every 2-3 hours. Leaving a pool this size at 8 feet would probably create a pond that is 20-25 thousand gallons. Filling it in to 4-5 feet would leave you a pond between 10-15 thousand gallons. Pumping that much water to cycle 20,000 of water every 2-3 hours can be enormously expensive as compared to just 10,000 gallons. Your electricity bill can go through the roof. Question for you... I'm doing the same thing with my swimming pool here in Maryland, but I was just going to use fill dirt. What kind of gravel/sand did you use? Was it stone dust? Is that the same thing as "screenings"? Is there a common size given for screenings or do you just ask for it.

[@ThatPondPlace]

@@daveobrien2481 good feedback and valid points regarding depth. We use stone screenings, sometimes called stone dust. I The screenings compact easier and faster, and also give a much more firm base than using fill dirt,. Screenings will be easier to work with than dirt at about the same cost per yard of material. Good luck!!

[@glb360]

OMG. How many mosquitoes were "born" in this pool? Yikes!

[@ThatPondPlace]

They lost count at 2.34 million in the pool, now that it is a pond full of koi...none!

[@IAMJROD1]

Thank god for Mexicans

[@ThatPondPlace]

Yes, and central Americans, they are a very big part of the industry I work in, without them I don't think my industry would ever grow. I am very grateful for the hard work and dedication that my crew (not Mexican) puts in as well as others within the industry of koi ponds, water gardens, and water features. Thank God indeed. Peace

[@A.R.C.77]

Very nice, check out my 100,000 litre goldfish and koi pond

[@stevenreeves4766]

everyone knows you don't put rocks in a koi pond as it traps dirt and waste material and will not be able to be maintained long term, also the koi will get injured on the big rocks. big fail. do a recap in two years to see if the owners still like it. not likely.

[@ThatPondPlace]

Hey Steven thanks for the feedback, and you couldn't be more wrong, just completely wrong.

[@titushofer8171]

Please stop saying “check it out”

[@ThatPondPlace]

nope

[@penandpike]

What a waste! A perfectly good deep pond (swiming pool) tulned into shalow rock watery hole!

[@ThatPondPlace]

Did this video hurt your feelings? you seem hurt. Also, check your spelling..

[@penandpike]

​@@ThatPondPlace No it didn't hurt my feelings because it is not my pool. It is nothing personal really . This comment was for the people who think of converting their pool to pond,

[@Listwithlove]

@@penandpike I'm doing the same exact thing. It will be beautiful when it's finished....way better than a pool.

[@penandpike]

@@Listwithlove Yes it is beautiful to have a pond. I have a pond too. But dont destroy the deep poll. Just convert it to pond.

[@sunyuting7330]

all those stupid rocks.

[@ThatPondPlace]

yes, all of them!