Natural Swimming Pool Modern Design Made Out Of Foam - Organic Pool / Pond Selfbuild DIY

We built a Natural Swimming Pool built out of M-Grade Foam block. It's a modern design to fit into a small modern back yard. The pool has 2 regeneration zones, each with scoria and plants. If you are looking to build your own pool, this is a cheap and relatively easy option! Total cost for the pool and back yard was under $8,000 AUD.
The poor access to the back yard required a pool shell to be craned over the house, so we decided to go an alternative route and sink a spa into our back yard. Even that proved to be a problem, as again the spa would need to be craned in.
Then we came up with a plan to have large pre-made foam panels, installed on a concrete base. These panels were carried through the house by one person (me) and installed in only a few hours. With core-filled concrete and rebar inside the foam, and 6mm double-meshed render on the outside of the foam, it is very VERY strong.
There were a few hiccups along the way, but overall an enjoyable experience.
Make sure you check out my other foam builds in the back yard, including the FOAM CONCRETE LOOK FIRE PIT and the FOAM CONCRETE LOOK BAR.
Credits:
Music from bensound.com
Some guidance from @davidpaganbutler
Lots of patience, understanding and free reign from my wife

[@troop9242]

fantastic job!! I've been looking for something like this for my small backyard, and this is just the ticket!! this gives me hope for creating something as beautiful and functional as this pool. thanks

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks Doug. Glad I could inspire you. Another option you might consider is Plungie Pools...they are pre-fab concrete pools craned into position.

[@chelochan]

beautiful❤❤❤

[@johnmead1337]

What a fantastic pool. Looks incredible.

[@bryanhemphill6596]

Some epic and innovative ideas. Congrats and looking forward to the update video. Thumbs 👍

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it, and hopefully gave you some inspiration. Working on the next video at the moment. 👍

[@fixerone1963]

Absolutely and beautifully awesome. Love the step by step process, really helps. You really gotta be proud of this. Thanks for the video.

[@rodtaylor3034]

Hey Keith, no worries at all; glad you liked it. Hopefully gives some inspiration. :)

[@feliperowen2370]

instaBlaster...

[@user-tn7xo7ky9o]

Gorgeous use of space! I like your filtering system, wish more would dump their chemicals

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks! It's a small area, and I don't think I could fit anything else in there! Natural pools are definitely a great option. You definitely don't need to shower after swimming, no chlorine smells.

[@user-tn7xo7ky9o]

@@rodtaylor3034 I get enough chlorine in my city water. I'm looking at building a pool like yours with jets (swim spa) in front of a 12x16 brick shed convert into outdoor/ bbq/ pool house hangout space. Have the deck be pool cover when not in use. Was wanting to do salt water but ur layout got me thinking... I'm just not sure how it could survive southern summer temps & winters. Never know how far south the attic blast will come down.

[@josephphuocnguyen3281]

Awesome! I would love to build something like that. Do you post plans/design etc...?

[@pauladams5834]

Fantastic build and a great looking design. 👍🏻

[@rodtaylor3034]

Many thanks!

[@elizehanekom2076]

Awesome!

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks!

[@ericgriffin44]

I love it!just wondering about the plants and adding any chemicals ,chlorine,algaecide,or clarifyiers,etc....will the plants live through addition of these ?or do you not plan on using them.?is this a swimming pool/jacuzzi?.....it's easy for me to be critical in hindsight...but if the rgb underwater light was on the opposite side ,so you didn't see the direct source,it would have been ideal.love the glow of the wall and plants and the shadows.really nce effect

[@senpaitakatsu444]

Wew so many sharp edges.. goodluck to the users 😱😱😱

[@rodtaylor3034]

Hi Senpai, The glass tiles aren't sharp, and the render definitely isn't sharp. The only issue we have encountered is on a hot day, the flat edge gets VERY hot...might consider putting a coping paver around the top in a lighter colour so we don't get burnt bums!

[@JMN835]

Super nice very amazing..I loved this thanks for sharing this video.

[@rodtaylor3034]

Glad you enjoyed my video. Are you looking at building a natural pool?

[@rockjockchick]

This is SO great!

[@rodtaylor3034]

Glad you liked it. :)

[@KrnSMLS]

Awesome work Rod!

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks Bernie! Glad you liked it.

[@dandan1818]

wow that is amazing pool and system you have there i so wish i could do something like that lol i watch so many vids but love this one

[@rodtaylor3034]

Hey Dan Dan, glad you liked my video. :) I hope you got some inspiration to build something amazing!

[@dandan1818]

@@rodtaylor3034 i can not do stuff like that pools i would so love to i have to stick to above ground pools so only thing i will be doing is trying to make some nice raised deck and genrally makeing thing look nice but i love this pool so much is amazing

[@rodtaylor3034]

I guess the main problem with underground pools is you need to plan everything ahead, as it's hard to go back and fix problems. Above ground pools you can change anytime you want. heh

[@virgaleric-co6zi]

Nice work

[@Mrdruggedalien]

Looks great!!

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed my video.

[@ialsomakecoffee]

Awesome job. Really made great use of the space.

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks Matt.

[@yuyuk_iseng8388]

Wonderful and beutiful brother🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thank you so much 😀

[@skylarlewis5061]

Hello, what type of foam did you use? And any ideas on where I can purchase some? We are thinking of doing something like this in our back yard. Thanks

[@kevinwhitmore4401]

Fricken awesome!! I’m subscribed. Need to see this beauty age.

[@rodtaylor3034]

Hey Kevin, we are one year in now so I'll post a video of how we are going. There are definitely some things I would change, but I'll put that into the next video.

[@cleitonsimao]

Good job! ;)

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks! 😄

[@Nonaosteo]

Hi could you please post an update of this project🙏🏾is it still running? Nice and clean?

[@dannyarcher]

That’s amazing mate. What would you do differently if you had to do it again? I didn’t see a filter and would you maybe reposition the light? Really good work there.

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks for your feedback. There are definitely some improvements I could make, such as using an all-in-one waterproof / tiling system so there is some warranties available. I used several different suppliers (a different supplier for render, waterproofing, and pool grout) so any future issues probably won't be under a warranty. I also should have put some more thought into installing a air-pump system, but I'm still working on retro-fitting this to replace the powered pump (900W pump running 8 hours a day isn't cheap). The filtering is just done by the plants / scoria, so nothing else needed and works well and no chemicals needed. We actually have sucker fish (Pleco) in the pool also, which help keep any algae under control on the tiles. I'm about to post a 1-year on video showing how things are going...keep an eye out for that. Cheers!

[@miketran6400]

Amazing build mate!!

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks Mike

[@76fazza]

Legendary build mate. Kind of exactly what I was looking for. You a Victorian?

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks mate. Yep, in Melb and fresh out of lock down. Heh

[@mickalferraren1797]

Awesome build!!

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks Mickal, glad you liked it. Hopefully gives you some inspiration to build something.

[@mickalferraren1797]

@@rodtaylor3034 im building an enclosed natural pool pond.. so urs is pretty helpful

[@rodtaylor3034]

Cool. What are you using for the pond itself? I also highly recommend natural pool videos from David Pagan Butler... check them out for an in depth build process.

[@patchofparadise2930]

Awesome pool mate!! What state are you in? Im curious about the foam panels and want to use something similar for my pool in Qld. Can you tell me where you got the foam panels from?

[@rodtaylor3034]

Hey Sean, I'm in Vic. The foam comes as a block 1200mm x 600mm x 2500mm, and you can just search for m-grade foam supplier to get the material. You will need to use a foam hot-wire cutting machine so maybe search for someone who has this machine also? Most foam manufacturers will have a machine, and you can just send them the drawing files. I'll see if I can hunt down a contact I had up there for you.

[@user-jk5kn4dq1e]

im still trying too understand how you will manage algae growth in the pool. also how with urine effect the plants😂. also has the water become less cloudy? and could fish be incorporated 🤔 it would be a power hungry build. to keep running 24/7

[@rodtaylor3034]

I only run the pump for 2 hours per day from 10am to 12pm which is enough to heat it back up to 24 Celsius and filter the water, unless we are in the pool and then the pump runs while we are swimming. Therefore it is very cheap to run. We do get a small amount of algae forming during the hottest parts of summer when the temperature is above 30 Celsius, but we have 5 sucker fish (Bristlenose Pleco's) in there and they eat any algae that forms. I also put a pool cover over the top during these days so it receives minimal direct sunlight. The plants actually maintain the water quality, so I have never had to add any chemicals and the pool always tests around 7.2 PH. I'll post some more videos soon, as the pool has been in for 4 years now and still has the original water in it.

[@ME-qq2dc]

Nice job. How did you get it past council. Did you need engineering to be done for that construction method?

[@rodtaylor3034]

These foam panels are actually used for retaining walls and fencing, and are engineered to 1.2m for retaining walls and 2.4m for fencing. Mine are retaining less than 600mm out of the ground as they are 600mm under the ground level. Retaining walls have pressure building up behind them and therefore need to be very strong, however water on it's own doesn't do that and therefore doesn't need to be anywhere near as strong. Think about an above ground PVC pool liner which can easily retain 10000 L of water with just a 0.5mm liner and a steel frame to support the top. Concrete pools need to be stronger so they stay as a single unit and don't crack. My light-weight foam panels are connected to the concrete at the bottom (reo chemset into holes in the concrete) and a ring of reinforced concrete around the top, with the vertical reinforced concrete 100mm 'cores' inside the panels connecting it all together, the unit becomes a single strong box shape. Cheers.

[@ME-qq2dc]

@@rodtaylor3034 thanks mate, appreciate the detailed response. So long and short of it, council did not require an engineers report?

[@donalain69]

rather a bath tub than a pool :) but looks nice

[@rodtaylor3034]

It's definitely a 'plunge pool'...no good for doing laps! Cheers.

[@donalain69]

@@rodtaylor3034 right. 1 secound "laps" at best. :). but looks good enough to not mind about. thanks for the video.. i keep building stuff on my house myself. your videos are a good inspiratioin.

[@kimothy777]

@@rodtaylor3034 unless you choose to install jets that allow to use it as a swim spa. That's what I shall be doing :)

[@sanamreza6557]

How practical has it been? By foam do you mean Cork sheet? How dies that even hold up?

[@rodtaylor3034]

Hi Sanam, The foam is an M-Grade building foam, used on houses and for building fences, etc. It is simply an expanded polystyrene foam (XPS). It is very strong, especially with the concrete reinforcing inside it.

[@tanyastaddon4458]

Several people repeatedly ask about the size- it’s because too small to read in drawings, and pixelates too much to read as soon as you zoom at all..still loving it!!

[@justfornest3049]

How has the pool held up so far? Would you have done anything differently...

[@rodtaylor3034]

The pool is still going well. I'm about to post up another '1 year' video, so keep an eye out for that, but the main things we notice is on a hot day the edge of the pool gets very hot so I probably wouldn't have gone a dark colour. Also would like to not have to use the pump, so better planning of a air-pump system in the overflow. I'm happy with the tile colour choice, and although it's glass it's definitely not slippery under feet, and we put some sucker fish in there too to eat any algae. I also installed a gas heater (you will see in my next video) and the pool is kept at 22C when we aren't swimming in it and we put it up to 26C when we swim.

[@Naoj2024]

Beautiful Idea and work but the gray tile leaves the water looking mirky at best… not refreshing at all in pics….

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks for the feedback. The water is actually very clear, and the videos you saw were the first few days in. Check out my most recent video and have a look at the water quality there. I'll upload a few more recent videos this week.

[@itagakixxx]

the pool size (not included the natural plant area) is around 7.6m length x 6m width x 3.5m depth ? for only $8000 aud ? damn that's cheap if it's that size, well done

[@rodtaylor3034]

No, the pool is approximately 3.2m long x 2.4m wide x 1.2m deep. The 2 planted zones are 3.2m long x 0.6m wide x 0.6m deep and 7.6m long x 0.6m wide x 0.3m deep. The foam cost to build this whole pool was less than $500. The biggest cost was render and tiling.

[@donalain69]

the design would actually allow you to use the upper part where the water flows trough as a filter system.. the pump you installed looks strong enough for that. just cover the first part of it with a sealed removable top, fill it with gravel and install an aluminium mesh filter on both sides.. the only downside is you will have to clean it manually, since backwashing wouldnt be easy if not impossible.

[@rodtaylor3034]

Yes, I already use the upper level as a filter during summer. In winter there is minimal algae so not needed, but in summer the extra 'upper' filtration keeps the algae down. :)

[@almostawesomewithwill9251]

Whats the foam called. Wonder if i can get it in the u.s.

[@rodtaylor3034]

Here it's called M-Grade or EPS foam, which is a very dense polystyrene. The foam acts like the form, and the coating creates the strength. Instead of.render, you could glue aluminium or steel sheets or even ACM / ALUCO laminated panel and use it for almost anything. (This ALUCO on foam is coming up in a future video)

[@iamrahulmaurya]

size of the pool pls

[@darrenwatkins144]

So looks like a lot of hours went into this job what was your total materials cost and labour cost

[@rodtaylor3034]

HI Darren, On the actual pool the cost was broken up as follows (approx, excluding my labour); Dig hole $600 (2 guys took 2 full days wheel-barrow through the house) Concrete $1000 Foam $350 Rebar $110 Render $1200 ($40 p/sqm - this was only for the pool and regeneration zones; I have excluded the side and back fences) Waterproofing $250 Tiles $1100 Tiling $2500 (expensive because it was epoxy grout) Pump $200 Plumbing $300 Scoria $50 Plants $300 The back fence was $1500, and there was a further $2500 in render on the side and back fences.

[@theeraphatsunthornwit6266]

ok there are concrete in foam..

[@rodtaylor3034]

Yes, it's called 'core-filled' so holes inside the foam, filled with re-bar and concrete. That gives it strength, while the foam is the 'form'. The render makes a hard shell on the foam, and all combined makes it very strong.

[@anonymous-tn6ij]

So are you gonna wear a helmet when you get in and out of the pool that has smooth tile and no chlorine in it to kill the algae Oh and I think you should put the music louder while you mumble in the background

[@rodtaylor3034]

We have been swimming in this pool for well over a year, and although you do get a slight film it's definitely not slippery under your feet. I had also asked the band to stop playing when I talk, but they kept on playing. :)

[@maxarcher]

Wow looks great!

[@rodtaylor3034]

Thanks Greg. Glad you enjoyed it.