Building a Natural Swimming Pond (And Digging it by Hand)

In this video I show you how I transformed our small pond in front of the passive solar greenhouse into a natural swimming pond. You see me digging the hole, building a wooden wall for the swimming area, installing the bubble pump filtration system, building a jetty and planting the first water plants.
0:00 Intro
0:36 Digging The Hole
3:05 The Liner
3:48 Shovelling Sand Into The Swimming Area
4:01 Cleanup Work
4:10 Pond Layout
4:28 Building The Wooden Wall
5:29 Filtration System
7:17 Groundwater Problems
8:37 Planting Substrate
8:56 Jetty Part 1
9:28 Bubble Pump Test
10:05 Jetty Part 2
10:37 Building A Strong Edge
10:55 Planting Plants
11:23 First Swim
11:33 Landscaping
11:58 Seeding
12:23 Planting A Tree
12:33 Outro
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License code: TRKJTJANDMB67ICT

[@ryanwilson2334]

Unbelievable work! I cannot believe you did that all by hand!

[@lalogascoine3388]

You embody the old saying: "Where there's a will, there's a way". Great work, congrats!!

[@tzenophile]

I was about to say, where there is a pool there's a fool, but this looks really great, an example to follow!

[@Lila22.11]

What a hardworking and patient young man ❤

[@nnthsttrls]

Heck yeah, dude. Hard work, but it's yours and it's rad.

[@robertmorris9998]

You did this by hand? Wow. You are an inspiration, and a reminder that a little work, over and over, will yield a big result. Thank you for posting this

[@safffff1000]

Lol, you could jump up and down on a shovel on my property and it won't dig in, this guys lucky to have such compliant soil

[@tzenophile]

@@safffff1000 try watering the soil first.

[@safffff1000]

@@tzenophile Rain hardly works. A 1800 psi power washer will slowly wash it away. Excavators or skid steers work, which I don't have

[@tzenophile]

@@safffff1000 That is why I would use a garden sprinkler, or maybe just a shower pistol, to get the right soak. And instead of an excavator (which could be rented for a day, fairly inexpensively) I once used a gas powered tiller to dig a pond, to loosen the soil before digging. A bit of hard work operating it, but it did the job.

[@lg3053]

WOW! I can't believe you did all this by hand. Amazing.

[@ChrisBGramz4u]

It always freaks me out when i am outside, without my phone, having a conversation with someone, then the next day there are videos on my feed about my conversation.

[@draidangraham]

I started a job like this two years ago. Even with my own mini excavator I realised it was too much work for me. You've inspired me to think again. I wonder what you could do if you had machinery, you'd be unstoppable 😁

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Yes building pond is a lot of work! But keep going, it is worth the effort!

[@ukaszbozek6530]

10:55

[@ukaszbozek6530]

Y

[@taitsmith8521]

Machinery is overrated. Just work on it everyday for 20 minutes . It's about not missing any days and being habitual. There was a guy 20 years ago that ate a whole train car that had been processed into powder. Just a couple spoonfuls a day add up over time.

[@SamShudders]

You rock. I’m doing it. Starting with a smaller pond/fountain and garden in the center and horseshoe shaped orchard adjacent. Then a swimming pond will start. Thanks for the Inspiration and showing it can be done by hand. Also noting the air pumps vs water pumps.

[@klerobi1]

A long time ago I had a business building natural swimming pools. What I learned is that you need a skimmer in every natural pool. The reason for this is mosquitoes, the skimmer pulls all the mosquito larvae into it. This is how we get a natural pool without mosquitoes. The size of the pump must be such that it turns over the entire amount of water in one day. It will probably be unpleasant when you sit in front of the pond in the evening and get bitten by mosquitoes, this is a solution for mosquitoes. I hope you are not angry that I am writing you this comment, very good video.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Hi there, thank you for your comment! The mosquitoes are a real concern with natural ponds, however the bubble pumps create ongoing waves in the pond throughout the warm months of the year and mosquitoes don`t like that. Until now I haven`t seen mosquitoe larvea in the pond! But thanks a lot for the suggestion, I very appreciate that!

[@rubygray7749]

​@@manuelangerer-permaculture You can always add a few small fish, which will eat any mosquito larvae.

[@shaash5236]

Exhausting work! You don’t mind an enormous project all on your own !

[@dennisthompson7857]

Happy future with a big Smile from Australia.

[@kassap118]

You are an example to others ,I respect your courage ,May god look after you and your family .

[@graysongross7399]

Amazing work! I can't believe you did this all by yourself!

[@johnsmit5516]

What an amazing job. All credit to you. And with only hand tools I hope you and your family get to enjoy it for many years to come.

[@KristiesLexicon]

This looks like paradise! I hope we get another look once it's all grown in. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@lisakenton2392]

You are what I call a real man. Congratulations on a job spectacularly well done. You are are inspiring.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks!

[@emmaslow]

This is beautiful. Thanks for giving so much detail, and for sharing the wobbles along the way - this is the first natural swimming pond video that has left me feeling like the whole thing is do-able! Thanks :)

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot for your kind words and feedback! :)

[@carolewarner101]

Yes, I feel the same way!

[@JOSnTHELORD]

Your a machine! All that digging with a single shovel. Amazing job!

[@paisleyMoon7]

I would very much be interested in watching more harvesting, planting, any gardening, cooking and recipes. I'm really hoping you'll add more content. 😊

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

Awesome, I know how hard it is to move large amounts of soil etc around manually wheel by wheelbarrow. Brilliant job, thanks for sharing.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot!

[@MessyTimes]

You are an inspiration, sir! Thanks for showing us your process.

[@davidcedar2810]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing the process!

[@DorrianGrey]

Incredible project!

[@rhymeswithpizza4000]

WOW. What an amazing job and inspiration! Thank you for sharing all your hard work and the results!

[@kroselavy]

Impressive !!! Such a nice job, the deck is beautiful

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Simply lovely. Serious work ethic and it was definitely rewarded.

[@shoptastik2250]

Gorgeous!

[@greeneileen]

Well done. Thanks for sharing your process.

[@hansmarheim7620]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[@hupthyetan7693]

My congratulations for making such a wonderful pond.... one in a million would try this...none in Singapore!

[@chrislowsky3091]

Fantastic!

[@griefTime]

Respect. Huge work!

[@roxanaconti2419]

So beautiful!! Inspiring, thank you for share!

[@aliciaflippen]

Absolutely Beautiful!

[@1957Babbs]

Bravo! What an incredible amount of work.

[@ericsplace3004]

This looks great! Your hard work really paid off. Thank You for sharing this video

[@mickflood]

Absolutely incredible we’ll done

[@Justin-nl2vv]

Excited to see the plants grow in! Great work!

[@markmurphy4319]

Wow. Just an amazing job.

[@rachelmadrone3168]

That is beautiful and so inspiring!!

[@37garysnyder]

love this many thanks for sharing

[@drgeorge1506]

You’ve given me hope that we can actually build a bigger pond for our wildlife, our dogs AND us! Thank you from all of us on our new homestead😅

[@KP-ei9yp]

Well done, this is beautiful!

[@richlijacanacua]

Awesome! Thank you so much for the tips!

[@sedbaka]

stunning work !!!!!!!!!!

[@eldrenjackson3229]

Beautiful!

[@OG-Everthing]

bravo my friend

[@amy5376]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this... in such a gracious, kind way. 😊

[@user-sy3ec5zx9b]

Wonderful/beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[@InkHarmony]

Tolles Projekt, tolles Ergebnis ☀️

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Vielen Dank! :)

[@JensOdense]

Wow, that pond looks great! I am looking forward to seeing it in a in spring or summer next year, when it is hopefully nice and grown in. Really good job :)

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks! I'll do an update on the pond next summer!

[@GaSoliNa2o]

Hammer! Sackstarke Leistung Manu!

[@Ma-pz5kl]

well done Sir !!!

[@northernfishmother]

One rock at a time, One shovel full at a time. It is all worth it. Looks amazing. I am still working on mine.

[@sachinsalunke2597]

big fan of your work and pleasant Voice.

[@cisco5400]

Well done! :)

[@Icantevenstandit]

Absolutely lovely ❤

[@ironbar9535]

I live in Florida USA and my first thought was of all the scaly toothy neighbors who would be joining you for a swim 😂

[@meanqkie2240]

Oklahoma. Cottonmouths! lol. Agkistrodon piscivorus(fish eater, or frogs 😉)

[@triskerslake3763]

So much hard work, yet such a wonderful result! Bravo!

[@romanbozic5297]

You are strong! Bravo for good work....

[@planereality3675]

Thats pretty insane. Awesome job

[@alternativelivingbulgaria]

This video is excellent ❤ I'm saving it for when I'm ready to do the same. Sending love from Bulgaria.

[@hawaiidoves]

that was really interesting. I like how just air bubbles doing their job, kept the water gin clear!

[@Adnancorner]

I took german classes, couple of years ago. For some reason I love listening to someone who speak German as native language. You have very soft and pleasant voice.

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks, I appreciate that! :)

[@carlitomk]

Good work, buddy … inspiring to see it all done by hand! I hope you and your family get many hours of enjoyment from it.

[@mjohanson1281]

Thankyou. Beautiful. Showing what you did and changed later is most helpful

[@katfoley890]

THANK YOU for this.

[@moshelevi2002]

Beautiful 👍

[@mariaeduardaandrade8371]

Impressive work! Well done

[@ivanlarin86]

Such a wonderful pond! Best regards, sir!

[@gardeningwithoutboundaries]

It is absolutely gorgeous! I really felt for you when the rain came. But the end result was well worth the hard work! Magnificent!

[@operator6471]

excellent work.

[@sparkymark68]

This made me smile 😊

[@brittanybear9951]

Awesome 🥰

[@valiantmcleod]

Fabulous job

[@milantasic6669]

Amazing and stunning work really great job !

[@jerrychetty2524]

Man your work is just so awesome and incredible effort ❤

[@kitoro846]

Very nice work!

[@rahulsudattkamble434]

The pond looks beautiful

[@generalnewsense5264]

Amazing!💖

[@GertjanakaSouL]

Amazing! Good job! The dedication and results are mind blowing! Enjoy your swimming pond!

[@killeresk]

So nice, great job.

[@jucha6992]

awesome work man I did the same kind of pool 7 years ago with same design and bubblers. best decision ever did the mistake with retaining wall built with bags and sand/concrete mix, it crumbles a bit some places, your wood wall is a better solution also never been really able to get rid of deposit on bottom of pool the water is cristal clear but always deposit building on bottom and gravel area. overall best thing to do on a property I think, so cheap also compared to classic pools and the wildlife is insane, we even have water snakes

[@cryptoastronaut8130]

Amazing thanks for sharing ❤

[@Harrison2253]

Unbelievable accomplishment 👍

[@Buuryog]

Awesome work man! Love it!

[@NickolasHinderer]

Wow incredible work

[@stevehunter291]

Awesome!

[@RoquetSynce]

So cool!!! Nice work 👍🏻

[@harryledwith3311]

Congratulations Manuel - fantastic work and result!!

[@manuelangerer-permaculture]

Thanks a lot!!

[@judahthekushitepharaoh4127]

Amazing Great job!!!

[@originalAtreyu]

Incredible! 🙏👏 No machines! Thats crazy

[@pedropereira8924]

Very nice!

[@Calli.ramira_13]

The pond is so pretty 🥹

[@-HowaHowa]

Beautiful job🙂

[@_anas_]

Amazing work brother🤍

[@mahanachristy8995]

Amazing build, congratulations

[@capthappy345]

Nice work 👍

[@Zaash5]

You are so determined and I am subscribing, ….. thanks for sharing so well the basics and the process ….

[@frankiejones972]

Welldone!!