01/08/2026
Sorry I keep posting. I am obsessed. xx
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I Built a Chemical-Free Swimming Pond — Here’s Exactly How I Did It (From Scratch)
I’ve built a lot of water features, but this kind of project is my favorite because when it’s done right, the water stays clear with circulation + filtration + plants, not chlorine. I’m going to walk you through how I actually build one on a jobsite—what I did first, what I learned, and what I’d do again.
Before I dug anything (the 3 decisions that matter)
Where it goes
I picked a spot with good sun, but not under heavy leaf drop. Leaves are the fastest way to turn maintenance into a headache.
Two zones, always
I don’t build these as “one big hole.” I build:
a swimming zone (smooth, deeper, easy to clean)
a regeneration zone (gravel + plants that do the biological filtering)
How water will move
If water doesn’t move correctly, you’ll fight algae forever. My go-to setup is:
Skimmer → pump → biological filter/bog → returns back to swim zone
What I used (real tool list)
Marking & leveling: stakes, string, spray paint, tape measure, laser level
Digging: mini excavator (or shovels for small builds), rakes, wheelbarrow, tamper/plate compactor
Liner protection: geotextile underlayment (I double it on rocky soil)
Waterproofing: 45-mil EPDM liner
Plumbing: PVC pipe, sweeps, primer/cement, bulkhead fittings, ball valves + unions
Filtration: skimmer box, pump rated for continuous duty, bog/biofilter materials
Finish: washed gravel, edge stone or decking, hand tools
Step-by-step: how I built it
1) I laid it out and set my water level
I marked the swim zone and the plant/filter zone with paint and string, then set the final waterline with a laser level. If the waterline isn’t level, everything looks off forever—so I take my time here.
2) I excavated the swim zone first
I dug the swim area to depth and shaped it clean. I leave room for:
a step/entry shelf
a “calm corner” where debris tends to settle (so it’s easy to vacuum later)
Then I dug the regeneration zone slightly shallower with planting shelves.
3) I prepped the base like it mattered (because it does)
This is where a lot of DIY builds fail. I removed every sharp stone and root I could find, compacted the base, then put down underlayment everywhere. On rocky ground I do two layers—liner repairs are not fun.
4) I ran plumbing before the liner went in
I installed the skimmer line and planned my return jets so water would circulate in a slow “loop” across the swim zone. I added:
unions so the pump can be removed
ball valves so I can isolate sections for service
That one detail saves hours later.
5) I installed the liner and started filling
Warm day is best—EPDM relaxes and folds nicer. I set the liner, made neat folds (no stretching), then filled slowly:
add water
adjust folds
add more water
That’s the cleanest way to avoid stress points.
6) I built the regeneration zone (my “living filter”)
This is what keeps water clear long term.
What I did:
laid a perforated pipe manifold to spread flow evenly
covered it with washed gravel
planted it heavily (not “a few plants”… I mean packed)
The plants are doing real work: slowing water, trapping fine particles, and feeding beneficial bacteria.
7) I set the skimmer and mechanical capture
The skimmer basket catches leaves before they sink. If you have trees nearby, this is non-negotiable. I’d rather empty a basket than vacuum sludge.
8) I finished edges so the liner can’t slip
I anchored the liner under coping/stone/decking and made sure rain runoff can’t wash soil into the pond. Soil runoff = algae fuel. I also keep the surrounding grade pitching away from the water.
9) I started it up and let it mature
The first few weeks, I run everything continuously and let the biology establish. New ponds often go through an “ugly phase” (cloudy/green) while things balance. I don’t panic and I don’t start dumping random products in.
What I watch instead:
Is flow consistent?
Any dead zones where debris sits?
Are plants establishing?
What I tell every client (so expectations are real)
You’re not maintaining a chlorine pool. You’re maintaining a mini ecosystem.
Maintenance is simple, but it’s regular:
skimmer basket: weekly in leaf season
plant trim: monthly in growing season
quick net/vacuum: when debris builds up
If you want “set it and forget it,” I size the filter zone larger and keep fish out.
