Building a large, natural swim pond is no small task, but Brad from Perth, WA, took on the challenge—and the results are stunning!
Using the DIY pond-building process, Brad created a 15m x 8m recreational/swim pond that not only looks incredible but is also low-maintenance and improves every year.
Here’s Brad’s story in his own words:
Brad’s Email
Hi Kev,
I’d love to share my pond that was inspired and built using your DIY process.
- It is located in Perth, WA.
- It’s a recreational/swim pond, approximately 15m x 8m and averaging 6ft deep. It also has a beach entry.
- Filtration system:
- Filtered first via an intake bay that holds four low-voltage pumps.
- Three pumps are housed in olive barrels, which feed the bog/wetland filter.
- One pump operates surface jets around the pond.
- The bog/wetland filter is approximately 6m x 4m, filled with various-sized rocks and gravel. I used plastic pallets to diffuse the water and drainage pipes that connect to three olive barrels used as clean-out ports. (I call it the plant hospital because any potted plant that’s dying goes in it and comes back to life!)
- I used approximately 150 tonnes of moss rock boulders and another 30 tonnes of various-sized gravel and sand. (I am considering installing sand across the entire floor of the pond, as the gravel does discolor and detracts from the water quality sometimes.)
- What can I say? I followed your instructions the whole way through. 🙂
- As things have progressed, I have added two Aquascape powerheads on a timer to improve water flow across the beach area.
- Current livestock:
- 40 koi of various sizes
- 20 silver perch
- 2 Texas cichlids
- Rosy barbs & platys (both breeding in plague proportions—which I love!)
- So many frogs and tadpoles, I couldn’t count!
I’ll attach some videos and photos, which I’m starting to upload to my own YouTube channel—really just so I have them saved somewhere.
👉 @Brad-RecPondsAustralia (link to Brad’s channel)
Obviously, I did the work (which took two years!), but I couldn’t have done it without your information, and I will be eternally grateful.
Note: Everyone who asks me about my pond, I send them straight to your channel, Ozponds.
It is extremely low maintenance, and like you said, it gets better every year.
Let me know if you’d like any more info.
Thanks!
—Brad
A Huge Thanks to Brad!
This is an epic DIY project, and it’s awesome to see how well it’s working! Brad’s low-maintenance, crystal-clear pond is a perfect example of how DIY filtration can outperform expensive store-bought systems.
If you’re inspired by Brad’s journey and want to build your own natural, low-tech, low-cost pond, grab my DIY Pond Filter Guide and start your project today!