Building Huge Pond Adding 50,000 lbs of Rock with Giant Excavator

We're building a natural swim pool in our backyard. So far, we've excavated the pond shape [music] where we hit enough groundwater that we had to install a below liner drain and sump pump. Otherwise, the pond would have failed. Raked in 20 bags of Portland cement to get a strong base for all of these boulders. We then laid 10 mil geoexile and installed the liner and burned every edge smooth so your feet never get caught. And this week, we're going to be moving massive boulders into place, [music] as well as all the plumbing and nitty-gritty. This whole swim pond is professionally engineered with aqua blocks, vaults, pit vipers, filters, [music] plants, and a UV filter, all working together to keep it clean and swimable. So, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss this swim pond coming together. We do have some good news and bad [music] news. The good news, we have an EarthPool expert coming this week and we're going to learn so much and get so much done. The bad news, we had a massive 12ton excavator booked for today and it cancelled on us last night. We're going to have to roll with the punches. Hard hats. [music] Huge chain. Shackle. This [music] will help too. First load of river rock. All right, we are ready. And Tiffany's pulling in right now. That is impressive. All right, everyone. We've got the best hands. Tiffany. >> Tiffany. >> Building earth pools for how long? Or whatever the definition of an earthquake [laughter] right here, which is nice. >> Here we go. >> The three of us are going to crush it. Watch out. >> We're not going to like put [music] them into the liner or anything until after. >> Cool. >> Um, we'll rock everything cuz then the liner like settles and you don't want it to rip. So, our [music] good friend Stabila is out. Tiffany is going to go around and get familiar with our natural pool site. And so far, the only thing Tiffany has seen is that the liner [music] is a little bit too tight. So, we're going to go around and loosen it up. That way, it doesn't hurt when we throw the big boulders in. [music] There they are. We found the skimmers. Skimmers. So, one goes there and the other one goes there. And we're putting them here so that way we don't put any boulders here. We're mapping out everything so we have a successful time. [music] >> Don't hit the liner. [music] We have huge plans for the week and we have all different types of material on site. We have crates of different products that need to go in and around the pond and we are going to bring this pool to life. [snorts] [music] So, you might be wondering what is a pond skimmer? A pond skimmer sits right at the surface and pulls in leaves, debris, and floating gunk before it ever has a chance to sink and rot. Basically, it's the first line of defense keeping your water clean. >> Shovels. >> Shovels. Yep. [music] Cuz we will need to >> Installing a skimmer isn't just drop it in and go. It has to be set perfectly level in line with the pond and at exactly the right height for the water level. Thank god for Stilla. Honestly, that's pretty bang on. Get that wrong and it won't work the way it's supposed to. [music] So, that was skimmer [music] one. Now, we're going to do skimmer two, which is more in the deep end, like an half an inch. This skimmer needs to be in line with that skimmer for it to work properly. That's what we're doing. So, we've got this right at this perfect level where the water will enter the skimmer and all of the water will go through that and then to our filter. And then this skimmer will capture things like algae and debris and leaves. That's what I just learned. So, it's kind of like a regular pool skimmer. We're good. Good. Time to back fill. Okay, to the plans we go. Next up, going to do the aqua blocks. So, what we just learned is we're going to do three by six >> because >> that's what our plans tell us to do. We have a lot of aqua blocks. >> Yes. >> Like all of this. >> Yeah. So, these help regenerate the water. The water they fill voids. They fill voids in your pool. They're like milk crates that are essentially empty. There are some little balls in here, but it's the water is going to go through these and that's where the plants are and there's plumbing to filter it out. >> Yes, there's plumbing inside. Plants are going to go on top and the water will go through these and go out into the filters. >> Pretty cool, >> I'm pretty sure. [music] >> No limit, no ceiling. It's just so easy. It's just a [music] breeze. It's moving so fast. I'm just having so much fun. I love a team. I low key like this. So do I. [laughter] >> Look at all our aqua blocks. >> So time to install these. First we do geoteexile to protect our liner. >> Giant pool gets giant couplings. and we're going to assembly line everything in. So, how it works is that these ones with the big tube go in the middle and then these with all these like balls and everything in them, they go on the outside. So, two rows of these on the outside, one row with the pipe. Normally, all the ones with the balls in them, you also have to build and put them in like the balls in. And uh Derek has kindly got these done for us. So, thank you. Saved us so much time. What are these milk crate looking things called aqua blocks do? They are strong plastic blocks that go under the water. They are tough enough to walk on and put a boulder on, but they have lots of holes and gaps so water can move right through them. That's important because the water needs to flow through gravel and plant roots to get clean. And the aqua blocks are what holds everything up underneath. Right where we're going to plant our aqua plants one day. Done. Sorry. >> Damn it. [laughter] >> It's a beautiful, beautiful day. It's a beautiful day. [music] >> Jazz rated. They're actually boulder [music] rated. We're placing boulders on these. >> Yeah, these are strong. [music] >> And this is the part we would have been so >> Yeah, this would have taken you like all week to like figure out. >> Gosh, even just these things together would have been like a 5hour experience. >> I know it for a fact. All of the aqua blocks are in and stacked. What's really cool, and you're gonna find this hard to believe, but once the pond is done, you aren't gonna see these at all, they're going to be completely hidden doing the job they're supposed to do underneath all the rocks, the water, and the plants. So, this is a very key component to this build. It's very important for the water filtration. And this entire thing, this whole pond is custom, but this is very specifically custom for this pond based on how much water is going to be in here and what type of pump we're using. Look how cool these are. So, these ones have the balls inside big cover that flows through the entire thing. What are these? >> Reducers. >> Oh, cool. >> SL lids. >> Nice. >> Whatever you want to call them. >> This is some serious plumbing. >> I forgot what these are called. >> The vaults. The vaults. >> The vaults. They look like vaults. >> These are the vaults. They sit inside the filter area and they give us a good way to get in and clean things out. So, you don't have to dig up all the gravel that we're going to be placing here. They'll be connected to a pump and it cleans out the whole filter system. From there, >> we're attaching the bolt to the pit viper, >> which is the tube in the middle. Nice. You got that in almost fell. Perfect. Let's just sit at different heights. >> Next side. >> Get over what we did today. >> One of the most asked questions we get is, "How do you girls have so much energy?" And I'm about to share our secret. So, it all starts with a good night's sleep. And the reason we're able to have a good night's sleep is because we enjoy a nice cup of bean before bed. Yep. Sleep is the answer. And we all deserve so much more of it. Sometimes during the day, we're so go. By the time I do try to fall asleep, my mind doesn't turn off. All I do is think about all the materials I need to order, the deck we need to build, or whether I put my tools away, if I left anything outside. It doesn't end. If you have trouble winding down or falling asleep at night, Dream Sleep Hot Chocolate might be the solution for you. For me, it's my favorite part of my evening routine because it's like a little treat that also helps me get a good night's sleep. It's dairy free, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, no added sugar, and ingredients like rayi, atheanine, magnesium, and for me, the best part is is getting a restful night's sleep and waking up feeling not groggy at all. Like I slept like a rock. You wake up looking like a burrito. >> Oh no. >> Happy wife, happy life. So don't forget about your wife. And you can either get melatonin or melatonin free if you're sensitive to it. So, you have put a scoop in, mix it with either milk or water and froth it up. And that's what happens after. [laughter] If you're having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or you're waking up exhausted, Dream is one product we've both noticed a huge difference with. And they have an amazing Labor Day weekend sale. >> 46% off. I just want to tell them it's the best part. 46% of that. So, shopbeam.com/vanwise code vanwives for 46% off for their Labor Day weekend sale. And it's exclusive cuz it's early. Get your Z's. Catch your Z's. >> Good work, team. [laughter] 7 a.m. club. Good morning. This morning, we're working with an EPDM liner, which you could use to line your entire pond, but we are not. We are using it to contain our wetlands. And so we are going to place this underneath all of the aqua blocks you saw us install yesterday. And this liner is more of a rubber vibe. Much more delicate, but I would say much more lightweight, I think. Do you think it's lighter than the other one? No. Heavier. It's heavier. Direct me. So the liner is going to go on top of our geo. And then we will reinstall our aqua blocks. Pay attention. >> Hey, girl. >> Well, that was terrifying. Don't want to rip it. Here we go. It's in. >> Yep. >> Also, today is a huge day. Guess what? We have five trucks of material coming and one truck with a massive 12ton excavator. How are they doing, Izzy? Do we pass inspection to move on? Thanks for the sign off. >> Fish safe. It's here. I'm absolutely singing wet, but we have all the aquaox blocks back in the pool. And just as I hopped out of the pool, I hear a truck. >> It's massive. >> It is a enormous excavator. Bye, PJ. The next step in our pool build requires a much larger excavator. We have a 6-tonon. That's PJ, who I just said goodbye to. We have ordered a 1210 excavator to the job site today because we will be dealing with some massive boulders and we need to be able to perfectly place those boulders in our pool without damaging our liner. Oh my gosh. [music] All >> [music] >> right, let's take a moment for this machine. >> [music] >> Okay, everyone, >> take a seat. Put your feet up. Make sure you're ready cuz this is going to be the coolest thing ever. First of all, I need to tell you a little bit about how much rocks weigh. They are so much heavier than you can probably imagine. These ones we're starting with are small. However, it does take a special set of skills to know how to properly strap in a rock. So, we're going to learn today. Jazz is the Xavier and Tiffany's teaching us. >> Oh, no. It's coming. Oh, it's coming out. >> You're going to feel so big in there. >> It's huge. Biggest machine I've ever driven. >> HERE WE GO. >> [music] >> We're tra [music] now. Just wait until [music] it's time to get to use my hands. Look how I have to sit. Moving giant boulders is not something you want to wing. One wrong move and things can go really wrong really fast. So >> so cool. >> First, we do a tension test. We lift the boulder just 2 or 3 in off the ground and stop. Then we check, is the strap slipping? Is the rock shifting? Is the fabric stretching? If everything looks good, only then do we lift it higher. >> Okay. Where do you put it? Where do you want to put it? Pick a spot. >> Once it's up, we keep it steady. No jerking, no bouncing, no sudden drops. Even a split second of slack can let a big rock slide right out of the sling. >> There you go. >> We also stay out of the danger zone. >> You You think you know this, but you never know. Sometimes you find yourself in a silly position to never be in front of the boulder cuz it can roll. If it's going to roll, you don't want to be there. You want to be beside it. That means never standing underneath the rock, downhill from it, or right in front of it. That was amazing. I have a permanent smile from ear to ear right now. Feels like the first time when I drove an excavator. Something else that's very important is setting up hand signals. No left and right because you never know who you're talking about. And we always stand where the operator can see us the whole time. Gearwise, steel toe boots and hard [music] hats. When we're placing boulders inside the pond, we never stand in front of it. If it rolled, it would roll straight down into the deep end. Hands and feet stay clear from underneath the boulder the entire time we're strapping and placing it. And fingers nowhere near the chains ever. Moving something this big and this heavy leaves zero room for error. And as Tiffany says, no cowboy >> Now we need to get the straps out from under the boulder. So that's the next lesson. She told me to get some wood and of course a massive pry bar, which honestly looks pretty awesome. And I think I'm going to need one of my own. I see. Cool. Beauty. Everyone admire the first rock, please. Beautiful. >> It's going to get so gorgeous. Okay, so we now need to find a rock that's going to go right there. That way it holds the aqua blocks in. This isn't just setting rocks wherever. This is art. Did we find one? >> Oh, that's a skinny one, too. This one? >> Yeah. >> What's the concern? We need to put something behind the aqua box on the back side of it cuz if we lean it into it, it's going to go and just move it. >> Ah, that's all experience. >> So, here's the thing. You don't actually want to see any of this. Not the aqua blocks, not the plumbing, none of it. [music] That's where the fun part comes in. >> Don't worry, my friends. We will be safe. >> We're going to cover this whole area in boulders, river rock, rip wrap, and plants. So it ends up looking completely natural that you didn't know all this was hiding underneath the swim ponds you see on Instagram. >> Wait. Yeah. We are trying to avoid them from going that way, right? Okay. Yeah. So with this weight here, it's like a counterwe for the boulder we're going to set in front >> cuz we're going to lean that boulder against the aqua blocks. This is going to be cuz there's a rock. >> Oh yeah, [laughter] it'll be easier. Rock number two is in. And we used a little rock just to prop it up so it'll just stay in there perfectly. So the weight is leaning against the aqua blocks like we anticipated. It's looking good. Tiffany was just explaining to us that this rock we shouldn't stand upright because the way that the natural lines are going across it, it just wouldn't look natural if we would if we were to stand it up. and she said many people wouldn't notice, but of course she would notice because she knows what she's doing. And so we are going to use this as a stacker block. They stop. So absolutely never stick your hand under the rock. Okay. Yes. You always want to keep like center gravity. All righty. Throw the bucket. or something like double. Let's find a good spot. Wow. I think I like the other side better. But do you think the other side would fit better against the wall? >> I think this one fit nicely. >> Perfect. Good thing I've been liking my low RPMs lately. Perfecto. [music] Remember [music] how we all went to go pick out some boulders? Well, they've just arrived. This is amazing. OH, ONE LAST ONE. You knew it, too. Perfect. Now we got boulders for this side of the pond. We actually ended up ordering a lot more boulders as you can see. Not the eight rocks we picked out. Those are still very important. But these are all >> This is an assorted bag. It's actually surprise box. [clears throat] This is what we got. >> This is amazing. It's going to help out a lot. We've got a lot of materials happening here. So Jazz is headed around the pond to the other side so she can move some of the boulders so we have more space because just as that last load got here, our top soil is now on the way so we can build up this side of the ground and there's not a ton of room. So we're going to see where we can squeeze this top soil. Well, that seemed easy enough. That's why you wear a hard hat. I know. [laughter] rock that I'm about to show you is 5'8 by approximately maybe a little over 5 ft. It's very large. >> I don't know. And with this very large machine, we're going to experiment right now and see if we can pick this up. We may not be able to, but who knows? No more straps. We're taking out the chains. We could if you can stand it up and we can belly wrap it in the middle. That's okay. >> So I mean like the you know how stairs are like 7 in. >> Yes. If we use this as stairs we have to be able to like wrap it like this because once it's down there's no getting the chain out. The chain will damage the liner. It's not >> Oh. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> No. Let's just leave this on the lawn. >> You sure? Yeah, [laughter] >> I'm not attached to it at all. >> No, >> I was only attached to it when I thought it was going vertical, but then I learned about lines. I don't like lines. [laughter] >> So, when you spend enough time building pools, I'm not speaking like I came up with this. I'm learning this. Something like this makes a really nice stair. Right. So, we've got a few of these. And if you can envision this like natural entrance into the pool, that's what we're thinking on right now. There'll be stairs right there. So, what we're going to work on is all the rocks that go all the way until the deck or dock. >> Was telling me about a dump truck that you don't need a license for. >> Is it the size of that one? >> Uh, no. It's smaller. It's called Aino. >> Aino. >> Yeah, he is the brand. And >> I'm going to Google. >> I'll I'll find pictures of her. >> Thank you. Tiffany drives dump trucks if you're all wondering. >> Very cool. Tricks on tricks. We really want this rock to stand upright because the lines actually go like every which way. So, we could get some height on this rock. So, >> now this can't pull. My water bottle almost became a pancake. Such a productive day. I love having extra hands. And I have to say it is so amazing seeing how much Tiffany loves her job. Like that's all she lights up ear to ear with a smile when she's talking about ponds. So, what a joy. Okay. Well, we'll see you all tomorrow for more pond building. Wow. Hello. Hello, Bella. Hello, Izzy. Morning. It's going to be a good day. Winter's back. Geoteexile is laid down. Machine's warmed up. We're ready to rock. Let's see how many boulders we can lift today. [singing and music] Oh, we make it look easy. [music] Easy. >> Number two, >> six boulders place. And it's only 8:30 a.m. crushing or rocking, whatever you want to call it. Okay, here's our six boulders. We are going to create a ledge. Nice flat rock here that's coming in right now as we speak. Going to go right there. So, you can step on that rock that we're putting in right now. Another rock which will then lead you to this which is a very tall rock as you can see. But you'll be able to stand on top of here and shallow dive into that deep end. Pretty nice. [music] >> It is certified happy. We're a good good feeling [music] feeling about so great. >> There we go. >> Amazing. We are on a roll. The only thing stopping us today is straps getting stuck protective foam. You can see why there's foam. That is nice. From here all the way here. Woohoo. That's good. That's pretty cool, eh? Our last rock wasn't sitting quite the way we wanted it. So, we'll put in a load of river rock, this round stone, to create a really nice base for this rock to sit on. Then, we will reinstall the foam and reinstall the rock. This looks so good and it's solid as can be. [music] We're living on time. We're changing the game and we can't stop. >> I can't believe how quick we're rocking here. 1 2 3 11 12. Wow. So far up around this part of the pond, too, where it opens up into the deep end. And we're almost at our first set of stairs back there. That is nice. >> [music] [music] >> Your first solo rock. [music] [music] More boulders. >> [music] [music] >> Come down a bit. >> Down. Slow. It's going to be a finesse. Okay. So, just listen. >> Go. Yeah. Go slow and listen. [laughter] >> No cowboy stuff. >> No. [laughter] No cowboy stuff. >> Easy. >> There we go. >> NO COWBOY STUFF. >> WOOHOO. >> EXCELLENT. OKAY, ONE. >> That was one of our two straps. We were using our entire body weight with the pry bar and it was not moving. So, the activator is coming in to help us with the clevis. And that went very, very smoothly. But that's because Jeffy has an eye for where these are going cuz it matters which direction you're pulling everything. You don't want the rock tumbling anywhere because you will not be able to move it. >> Amazing. >> I'm doing nothing. >> First step, a success. One of the most important steps in creating steps is river rock. We're going to use this as a foundation for every step after the first one. You'll see what I mean in just a moment here. And then you will know how to make your own steps if you ever wanted to. Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] >> Got to come in though. >> I like that. >> It's cool, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. You're literally swimming here. This is that good. >> So, we did a stair. little stairs like on an angle. So you kind of go out like that so it looks more natural. But also, yes, it looks like a big thing. You would be like stepping up like me just did. But this is the deep end. So you would be swimming. Does that make sense? Like you're kind of swimming right up to there. >> Yeah. Like the water is like here. >> So you'll be floating. >> So you're floating up to that rock. >> Doggy paddling. And in >> I think it looks really cool. >> Yeah. Like next it'll go from up here to one more >> out of the pond. >> Out of the pond. And that'll sit right on top of the liner. So yeah. >> When do you normally do it? Now or >> Well, I I'll let's wait because then we can make sure our bm heights are proper and then we can burm burm heights. >> Cool. >> I feel like they've watched us do our burm for 3 weeks. >> Yeah. We still need to do the burm. Okay. Supervisor said the work day is done.