One of the things I love most about running Ozponds is seeing what people go on to create in their own backyards.
This pond was built by Dylan over in Western Australia, and like so many others, it started with a bit of inspiration, a lot of effort, and a willingness to learn as he went.
Here’s Dylan’s pond story, in his own words — turned into something I hope inspires the next person sitting on the fence wondering if they can build their own.
From Overgrown Jungle to a Fresh Start
Before this pond ever looked like it does now, the area was home to an old, overgrown pond that had well and truly been swallowed by plants.
The first step was clearing back the jungle and digging out a new space — not glamorous work, but an important part of the process. Once the shape was right, the structure went in using concrete cloth, followed by an EPDM liner laid in a geotextile “sandwich” for protection.
From there, it was all about slowly building things up toward the finished pond you see today.
Clear Water (With a WA Twist)
Dylan’s water is already looking impressively clear, especially considering the pond is still young.
There’s a slight reddish tint to it, which he reckons comes from the bore water common in parts of WA — high in iron and something many locals will be familiar with. Despite that, clarity is good, and the system is clearly settling in.
Bog Filter in a Barrel (And Why That’s Okay)
At the back of the pond sits a bog filter built in a barrel — simple, effective, and very familiar to anyone who’s watched my videos.
Right now, it’s still visible, but Dylan’s plan (a good one) is to let plant growth take over and help it disappear into the landscape over time.
The bog is already filling out nicely with plants like bacopa and water celery, along with a few others that are still finding their feet.
Water flows from the bog into an upper pool that Dylan’s hoping will eventually act like a small wetland area once everything grows in and softens the edges.
Waterfalls, Foam, and a Bit of Trial and Error
Building the waterfall was one of the more challenging parts of the project.
As Dylan puts it — there was plenty of trial and error involved, and probably seven cans of waterfall foam used along the way to convince the water to go exactly where it was meant to.
That’s a pretty common experience for first-time waterfalls, and honestly, it’s part of the learning curve. Over time, plant growth will do a lot of the visual heavy lifting and help everything blend together naturally.
Budget-Friendly Materials (Marketplace Gold)
This pond is also a great example of what’s possible without spending a fortune.
The pond sits in a raised bed, and while Dylan would have loved to use larger boulders, he worked with what he could manage. Almost all of the rocks came from Facebook Marketplace — moss rocks picked up for free, along with pebbles and smaller stones sourced from wherever he could find them.
It’s a good reminder that patience and creativity often matter more than budget.
Early Algae and Letting the Pond Mature
Like most new ponds, a bit of string algae has started to show up in recent weeks.
Rather than panicking, Dylan’s approach is spot on — letting the plants grow in and do their job. As the system matures, balance usually follows.
Even now, the water looks clear enough that reflections are the main thing hiding it on camera.
Simple Pump Setup, Nothing Fancy
The pump setup is refreshingly simple.
Water is pulled in over the side into a small pump vault Dylan built himself, covered over to act as a basic pre-filter using chicken wire and foam. From there, water runs straight up into the bog filter and back through the system.
No complicated plumbing. No overthinking it. Just practical, functional design.
A Pond to Be Proud Of
At the end of it all, Dylan’s pretty stoked with how the project turned out — and rightly so.
It’s a great example of what can be achieved with:
- A simple plan
- Willingness to learn
- A bit of trial and error
- And letting nature do its thing over time
Dylan also took the time to say thanks for the videos and shared knowledge, which I genuinely appreciate. Stories like this are exactly why I keep making content.
If you’ve built a pond using the ideas I share and you’d like to show it off, feel free to get in touch. Your project might be the one that inspires someone else to get started.
And if you’re still in the planning phase — take your time. Start simple. You don’t need perfection on day one. Ponds evolve, and that’s half the magic.
If you want to use my step-by-step guide you can find it here.
— Kev
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