Tanner Serpa, a young man with a knack for creation, embarked on a journey nearly two years ago to craft a pond for his parents.
From a young age, Tanner had always been a “maker,” a trait that seamlessly transitioned into his fervor for amphibians, fish, and aquascaping.
His parents, having always admired the ponds Tanner had at his place, yearned to bring a touch of nature into their own yard.
Though the initial process was a bit rushed, Tanner’s expertise shone through.
He had gravel, stones, and boulders delivered, reshaped the landscape, and marked the spots for the pond’s elements.
As Tanner progressed, he lined the basin with geotextile fabric and an EPDM liner, using the shelves to hide the liner with boulders.
The waterfall area was similarly treated, with the liners joined using seam tape. The finishing touch was the addition of expanding foam to guide the water flow within the waterfalls.
The end result was a stunning display of Tanner’s talent, and his parents were over the moon.
However, a few weeks later, his mom’s newfound love for goldfish led to the addition of five comets to the pond.
Observing their growth, Tanner foresaw the need for an expansion.
Fast forward to the present day.
The pond, though thriving with fish, beckoned for Tanner’s magic touch once again.
Determined to enhance its beauty while being budget-conscious, Tanner decided on a DIY approach for the expansion.
He began by dismantling the entire pond, ensuring the fish were safely relocated to his house.
The boulders were set aside, and the aquatic plants preserved for later use.
Tanner’s vision for the expanded pond was clear: he wanted a similar shape but larger.
Using a pickaxe and shovel, he expanded the pond, creating a larger first shelf and then a second.
He also innovatively incorporated a trash can filtration system, digging a hole to accommodate it.
With the hole ready, he lined it with geotextile fabric to protect against sharp objects and then rolled out an EPDM liner.
The fun part was arranging the boulders.
Tanner meticulously selected flat-surfaced stones, fitting them together like a puzzle.
The waterfall, which he had left intact earlier, provided additional boulders for the basin.
As he continued, Tanner emphasized the importance of varied stone sizes.
The larger stones filled void spaces, ensuring the gravel stayed in place.
The pond was filled halfway, and even at this stage, the transformation from the original build was evident.
The next week, Tanner focused on the waterfall.
He wasn’t particularly fond of the original waterfall and aimed for a redesign.
Using a 20-gallon stock tub, he created a reservoir at the top. He expanded the original hole for the tub and connected it to the trash can filtration system.
The waterfall was designed meticulously, with flat stones creating a unique feature and driftwood adding an element of intrigue.
As the days progressed, Tanner addressed the pond’s edges, ensuring they were well-defined.
He added various plants around the perimeter, enhancing the natural look.
The trash can, essential for filtration, was concealed with a faux rock, making everything look seamless.
The final touch was the addition of lava rock in a mesh media bag, providing more surface area for bacteria to colonize.
The transformation was complete. From the layout of the basin to the intricate details of the waterfall, Tanner Serpa’s vision had come to life.
See this beautiful pond expand and come to life in the video below!
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