Swimming Pond Results
Inspiration for your swimming pond
See how other swimming pond owners have designed and maintained their ponds and kept them running at peak performance. Get some ideas!
Noud's Natural Swimming Pond
Go for a swim after work or before work… the moment you jump in, it feels like vacation.
Over the past 40 years, I’ve observed more than 1,000 swimming ponds—from compact urban ponds to large natural swimming ponds. Time and again, I see the same mistakes being made that later lead to cloudy water, algae, or disappointment. If you get these three points right, you’ll prevent 80% of the problems.
The 3 most common mistakes when building a swimming pond
Mistake 1: Using lava, sand, or gravel as substrate
Many swimming ponds are built using lava rock, sand, or gravel. That might seem logical, but in practice, it works against you.
Problems with lava, sand, or gravel:
- Plants have trouble taking root
- Plants fail to take root or die after one season
- Dirt builds up between the stones
- Water quality is becoming unstable
The result: you keep correcting instead of building balance.
The right foundation: STEP ONE Pond substrate
STEP ONE specially developed for natural ponds and ensures:
- Strong and sustainable root development
- Plants that do take root and continue to grow
- Plenty of space for beneficial bacteria
- A more stable natural water purification process
The bottom is the foundation of your entire swimming pond.
If that foundation isn't right, the system remains vulnerable.
With STEP ONE you create a stable base right away.
Mistake 2: Only tall shoreline plants, no oxygenating plants
Many people tend to plant species like Iris yellow Acorus. These quickly create a full look and add height. But there isn't much going on underwater.
Result:
- Insufficient nutrient absorption
- Insufficient oxygen production
- Increased risk of thread algae
- Less ecological balance
A swimming pond actually needs a thick layer of underwater oxygenating plants.
These plants are the workhorses of your system.
Without that layer, you won't get clear, stable water.
Tip 3: Water lilies in much shallower water than you might think
This isn't a mistake, but a missed opportunity. Many people think that a water lily needs at least 50 cm of water to thrive. In reality, a water lily can often grow in as little as 10 cm of water.
A Water lily does more than just look beautiful:
- Provides shade in shallow areas
Keeps sunlight out of the water
Inhibits algae growth
Stabilizes temperature
It is precisely the shallow part of a swimming pond that warms up quickly.
By planting lilies there, you can proactively address a significant part of your algae problem.
Follow Noud’s lead and choose the complete Plant Filter package:
One system featuring STEP ONE, the right plants, and maintenance for consistently clear water.
More swimming pond projects
Be inspired by these beautiful projects
Includes a €20 gift card for
Improve your swimming pond
Is your swimming pond struggling with cloudy water, algae, or other issues? Order Simons Pond Advice for tips, products, and advice on how to optimize your swimming pond.
Visiting Johan at Yuca Campground
Tip: Water lily in the plant filter
Simon van der Velde
Drag the line to see the before-and-after results.
Visiting the De Vries family
Our swimming pond had been out of balance for a long time: green water and little enjoyment. With the right plants in the plant filter, that has completely changed. The water is now clear and naturally balanced, without any technology or chemicals. That’s important to us as a family—after all, we swim in it ourselves, and our dog drinks from it regularly. Swimming in clean, natural water brings peace of mind and confidence. This is exactly what we had in mind.
I never would have thought that clear water could be so simple… just with plants and a little patience.
Drag the line to see the before-and-after results.
Visiting the Miedema family
For our swimming pond, we chose a crate system with oxygenating, marsh, and Aquatic plants the plant filter, supplemented by a few crates Water lilies the pond itself. This creates an extra natural feeling while swimming and keeps the water cool and clear in the summer. Simon was a great help with this: first with his book, and later he stopped by one Saturday for a consultation. His advice to go with the crate system was exactly what we needed to quickly and effectively plant our 10,000-liter swimming pond. We are incredibly happy with the result.
I followed Simon's book and step-by-step guide from start to finish and achieved this end result.
What others are saying
More than 10,000 pond enthusiasts have already joined
“Ourswimming pond was always cloudy and full of silt after winter. After doing some research, I added POND CARE to the plant filter in the spring. After a month and a half, the water was crystal clear, and our children and we are once again enjoying the pond to the fullest!”
— Anna Vermeulen
“After winter, there was always a layer of sludge at the bottom and the water looked terrible. I usually dredge the pond, but this time I tried POND CARE in April. Since then, the water has stayed clear and the pond looks much livelier.”
— Marie Bernard
“I don’t use a pump or filter, so the water would occasionally turn green despite my plants. I then BACTA CLEAR INSTA CLEAN and BACTA CLEAR . After three weeks, I could see the bottom of the tank and my fish and frogs again. I’m going to keep using these products.”
— Luca Ibarra
“In the spring, algae would often start growing quickly and the water would become cloudy. I used POND CARE for the first time in early March. It was easy to apply, and I didn’t have to do anything else after that. The water stayed clear, and the plants look healthier than in previous years.”
— Elena Silva
“Every spring, algae would appear as soon as the weather got warmer. I started using POND CARE in March, and the water has stayed clear ever since. Maintenance is minimal, and the fish are swimming around happily. I’m pleased with the results.”