What Materials Will I need & How Much Will It Cost?

While most materials you use can be "re-used" materials, there are two things that I would not play around with and would always purchase new: a liner and a pond pump.

While it might be tempting to use your swimming pool pump, it is a bad idea. Pool pumps are not nearly as efficient as pond pumps. The cost in electricity alone would outgrow any savings. They are  not made to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Similarly you might be tempted to use your old liner or just use the cement that is already in your pool. Again, bad idea. A new EPDM rubber pond liner will last you a lifetime if properly installed and maintained. You will never have to replace it. The liners are extremely puncture resistant compared to other types of liners. Concrete can crack and is also not a great partner to aquaculture. EPDM rubber is absolutely the best way to go.

If you decide to do this on your own you will save a boat load of cash also. You will basically be paying for materials. Remember to reuse all the materials that you can, it will save you money and is the right thing to do for the planet and our future.

Although your conversion will be different then mine and therefor the costs will be different, this will give you an idea for a pond similar in size to mine. If you want something smaller, then your cost will be less. Here is a list of materials and my approximate cost for each of them:


In no particular order:
1. 25'x35'x.45mil EPDM pond liner: $525
2. 5400GPH Pump: $500
3. Redwood for landscaping items such as retaining walls and planters $300
4. Lumber for grow beds and for mounting the grow beds $250
5. Screws, nails, bolts, and other hardware for construction $240
6. Plumbing (PVC pipe and fittings) $240
7. Bulk landscape materials for pond installation and grow beds $400
8. Decorative landscape rock $300
9. Electrical $200
10. Fish $70
11. Plants $100 (I am growing almost all the plants from seed or from cuttings)
12. Water test kit and miscellaneous pond stuff $100
13. Pond aeration equipment. $0 I will show you a few ways to get aeration without purchasing extra equipment.
14. Fill dirt to fill pool $0 Not necessary. Check this out!
15. Miscellaneous $100

Total cost approximately $3,400 plus my labor($0.00). Compare this to the cost of a contractor to remove the pool and re-landscape your yard at anywhere from $12,000 to $50,000.