Location: West coast of Sweden – winters down to about –10 °C and summers up to +30 °C
About the Build
Since 2022, I’ve been working on a water system in a natural slope at my countryside place. The layout is simple but effective:
- A bog filter at the top (closest to the house)
- Flowing into a smaller pond
- Then into a winding stream
- Over a larger waterfall
- Finally down into the main pond, about 13 × 6 metres in size
The whole feature is built into a slope with bedrock lying close beneath the surface.
Filtration System
The main pond has an intake bay for the pump – very similar to what Ozponds has shown. Water is pushed through about 30 metres of hose and up 2 metres in height into the bog filter.
- The pump is adjustable (140–350 W) with a maximum capacity of 29,000 L/h, more than enough for this system.
- At the bottom of the bog filter is a cut-open drainage pipe (lengthwise) that leads into a barrel for cleaning the filter pond.
- The pumped water is divided: one part goes to the bottom of the bog filter, and the other part flows directly into the small pond.
This setup allows for a low, steady flow through the bog filter (for bacteria to work effectively) while still providing a stronger flow for the waterfall.
I used whole sheets of EPDM liner wherever possible, but in some areas I had to join and extend liners. That was both a challenge and a great learning experience — I now feel much more confident with liner connections and using the right materials.
If I ever need to drain the whole system, I’ve also got a separate pump ready.
Materials
- EPDM liner, 1 mm thick – almost all second-hand in “like new” condition
- Two layers of fibre textile under and above the liner
- Stones collected from the property (both surface and dug-up)
- Natural gravel and sand from a nearby quarry
- Old mats placed under the liner in sensitive areas (donated by neighbours)
- Moss and other natural materials gathered from the surrounding forest (allowed in Sweden)
Everything was dug by hand except for half a day with a mini-excavator to shift some material. Every single stone was placed by hand.
Wildlife
The system has only been running for about two months, but the water quality is excellent. I expect some algae bloom before the ecosystem balances.
My philosophy is to keep it as natural as possible — no fish — and let local wildlife move in by itself. Already frogs, toads, and dragonflies are thriving here.
Challenges & Learnings
The biggest challenge was designing everything so it blends naturally into the environment while still looking beautiful. Getting the water levels right was also tricky — I wanted the liner fully utilised and the water to feel like it reaches all the way up, not like it’s sitting in a dug hole.
Two key lessons:
- Use the “cap stone inboard” technique
Place stones inside the liner so they stick halfway above the waterline. Lift the liner up behind the stone (fold if necessary), then backfill with clay or soil. This locks the liner, creates a clean waterline, and makes adjustments easy if the ground settles. - Place stones thoughtfully
Aim to position stones with their flat side facing upwards and as horizontal as possible. It gives a calm, balanced look. Even rounded stones can appear “at rest” if placed carefully. Use a mix of rock sizes, along with natural touches like wood chips, plants, pea gravel, and sand for a truly natural feel.
Final Thoughts
The system is still young, but already it’s clear this build is becoming a thriving natural habitat. With a mix of patience, thoughtful stonework, and careful design, a man-made pond can look and feel like it’s always been part of the landscape.
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