It depends. Some can go for a decade without cleaning and some need backwashing every 2 years or so. It really depends on where it is and what is going into the pool. Organics will break down but fine sand or silt blown in doesn't, and this can clog the wetland over time. We design the gravel wetlands so they can be backwashed if this is required but it is usually only every 2 - 6 years.
It's important to note that excessively warm temperatures can disrupt the ecological balance of a natural pool, potentially encouraging algae growth and stressing aquatic plants and organisms. While it is possible to heat natural pools, it is recommended to limit the temperature to a maximum of 27°C to avoid these issues. Additionally, using a pool heater generally necessitates keeping the pool covered to retain heat, as up to 70% of the heat can be lost otherwise. This requirement can limit some design choices. To maintain a high water temperature, it is advisable to incorporate UV sterilizers into the system to help control algae and pathogens. If the goal is to keep the water warm during winter or the cooler months surrounding summer, this approach is usually sufficient. However, if you intend to maintain very high temperatures year-round, I recommend using a combination of UV sterilizers, phosphate filters, and occasional dosages of hydrogen peroxide. This combination will help maintain water clarity and quality while managing potential algae growth and other ecological imbalances.
Hi There, so sorry you didn't get a reply. How can I help you? My email is info@leafandstone.co.za, please try again otherwise post your question here!
We only have one venomous snake here...westernd diamondback rattlesnake. I catch em and move them off the property when I see them. Not all that deadly, contrary to popular belief.
Natural pools do not have mosquitoes for a number of reasons. Mosquito larvae need still stagnant water in order to breed. Stagnant water has very low dissolved oxygen and natural pools have good levels of dissolved oxygen from plants, movement and life. You see, constant movement and circulation of the water prevent the larvae from surviving. Natural pools also have predators that feed on mosquito larvae. Among them are the Notonectidae, popularly known as backswimmers, and the aquatic beetles (Ditiscidae). Larvae of dragonflies and damselflies also hunt mosquito larvae.
The biological filter in the regeneration zone is the unsung hero in controlling pathogens. This zone, teeming with plants and microbes, acts as nature’s defense mechanism, absorbing and neutralizing harmful bacteria and viruses. Imagine the scene: antibacterial agents from fungi-yes, the same family that brought us penicillin-and a host of small critters like nematodes and protozoa actively consuming these unwelcome guests. The complexity of this ecosystem ensures that pathogens are not only trapped but transformed biologically. They're caught in the sticky biofilm, amongst roots and gravel, where, if conditions are right, beneficial organisms flourish, much like the flora in your own stomach. Regarding Naegleria fowleri, a concern in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers, natural pools present a safer alternative due to the constant circulation through a potent natural filter. This safety is contingent on maintaining water temperatures below 27°C and managing swimmer load to avoid overcrowding. The likelihood of encountering harmful pathogens such as fecal coliforms in a privately maintained pool is exceedingly low. Even if temperatures were to exceed 27°C, the risk of contracting Naegleria fowleri remains minimal, statistically about 1 in 142 million. To put it into perspective, even if you swam in water with detectable levels of Naegleria fowleri twice daily for 50 years, your chance of infection would only be about 1 in 4000. If you feel comfortable swimming in a mountain stream or pond, then swimming in a natural pool should be no less appealing, especially since the odds of infection are even lower. In tropical climates, where conditions are exceptionally warm, integrating UV sterilizers and periodic treatments with Hydrogen Peroxide can further mitigate risks, ensuring your natural pool remains a safe and enjoyable swimming environment.
what about mosquitos? how do you eradicate them? ............You know those NAGGING BLOOD SUCKING PARASITES that call call themselves government building and zoning departments?????????
Regarding Naegleria fowleri, a concern in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers, natural pools present a safer alternative due to the constant circulation through a potent natural filter. This safety is contingent on maintaining water temperatures below 27°C and managing swimmer load to avoid overcrowding. The likelihood of encountering harmful pathogens such as fecal coliforms in a privately maintained pool is exceedingly low. Even if temperatures were to exceed 27°C, the risk of contracting Naegleria fowleri remains minimal, statistically about 1 in 142 million. To put it into perspective, even if you swam in water with detectable levels of Naegleria fowleri twice daily for 50 years, your chance of infection would only be about 1 in 4000. If you feel comfortable swimming in a mountain stream or pond, then swimming in a natural pool should be no less appealing, especially since the odds of infection are even lower. In tropical climates, where conditions are exceptionally warm, integrating UV sterilizers and periodic treatments with Hydrogen Peroxide can further mitigate risks, ensuring your natural pool remains a safe and enjoyable swimming environment.
Aeration can help keep pool water under 26°C by enhancing evaporation, which naturally cools the water. The process increases air-water contact, promoting heat exchange and faster cooling, especially at night when air temps are lower. Using fountains or waterfalls can boost this effect by creating more surface area for evaporation. Running aeration during cooler parts of the day or night maximizes the cooling benefit."
Natural pools and ponds can attract wildlife, including snakes, depending on various factors such as geographic location, surrounding habitat, and the presence of suitable food sources and shelter. While natural pools and ponds may attract snakes, it's essential to remember that snakes are generally shy and prefer to avoid human contact. Taking precautions such as keeping the area around the pool clear of debris, maintaining a well-groomed landscape, and educating yourself about local snake species can help minimize encounters with snakes and create a safe and enjoyable outdoor environment. Additionally, if you live in an area with venomous snakes, it's crucial to be aware of their presence and take appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of snake bites. Remember though. There is no greater risk of snakes or dangerous wildlife in a natural pool than there would be in say a pristine mountain pool or lake. The exception is if you live in an area that is devoid of much life, such as arid areas or a desert. Your natural pool would then be an oasis for wildlife including snakes.
I am desing a above ground pool. I had paned to use stone for thr exteriors t0 go witht he asthics of the home. Ans was wondering what the basin of the pool sho8ld be i plan to keep the plan area separated so was hoping to keep the basong witha natural look asl to use stone but am not sure what the best options of cheapest options 4.55 meter long and 2.27 at the widest point in a rectangular shape with an area that narrows into a smaller rectangular space for seating which measures about 2.27 with the drain place int the corner. The area where I plan to put the plants is .90 metter wide and 6 meters long for the filyer and plant area. The pool will be about 2 meters above ground and 2 metrs below. Do younuave any suggestuions is there any help that be offered a service i can pay for
What about the biofilm in the pool, who made it slippery and at the end not appreciated,how that can be “controlled”? Only by removing it like with a robot, or it is impossible to, due to the speed the biofilm is going to recreate?
The biofilm that makes surfaces cannot be easily removed, no need to endure that steps and shallow areas have enough grip. There are ways to remove biofilm using high tech phosphate filters.
Key insights 🌿 Natural swimming pools use biological processes like plants to filter and purify the water, unlike traditional chlorinated pools. 🏊♂ Natural Pools offer a far more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional swimming pools, promoting biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem within the pool. 🏊♂ Natural pools come in various shapes and forms, from formal and conventional designs to more organic and wild swim ponds with floating wetlands. 🌿 A natural pool can harmonize far better within the context of a garden and a landscape, making it look like it was always there like a mountain pool. 🏊♂ Chlorine is toxic and can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as an increased risk of hay fever and other allergies. 🩸 Elevated TR chloramine levels were found in individuals sitting next to the pool, even if they didn't swim, raising concerns about the impact of chlorinated pools on health and the environment. 🌍 Natural Pools have a minimal ecological impact compared to chlorinated pools as they do not kill animals or insects that need to drink or need the water as a habitat. 💰 Once established, Natural Pools have lower operating costs compared to traditional pools, requiring less energy and no constant purchasing of chemicals. TLDR: Natural swimming pools offer a more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and healthier alternative to traditional chlorinated pools, promoting biodiversity and minimal ecological impact. 1. 00:00 🌿 Natural swimming pools replicate natural bodies of water using biological processes for water purification, unlike traditional chlorinated pools. 2. 00:50 🌿 Natural pools use biological filtration processes to maintain water clarity, promoting biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem while minimizing the use of chemicals. 3. 02:34 🌿 Natural pools clarify water through biological processes, achieving superior water quality and can come in various shapes and forms. 4. 03:56 🌿 Natural pools can blend seamlessly into a garden or landscape, and their design can be tailored to suit the owner's preference while still maintaining the same underlying principle of how they work. 5. 04:43 🏊♂ Chlorine in pools is toxic and can lead to skin, eye, and respiratory issues, as well as an increased risk of asthma and allergies. 6. 06:08 🌊 Chlorine in pools can negatively impact health and the environment, and natural pools provide a more invigorating swimming experience. 7. 07:19 🌿 Natural Pools offer diverse wildlife habitat, are environmentally friendly, and require less maintenance compared to chlorinated pools. 8. 08:49 🌿 Natural pools require less maintenance, have lower operating costs, and can be converted from traditional pools using a low-cost DIY method.
Natural Pools are possible in very hot (dry and tropical) climates but one has to take measure to keep the water temperature down. This would include erecting shade over the pool, expanding the wetland size to occupy 50% of the total surface area as well as adding extra aeration to the pool to cool the water down. It's also crucial to understand the risks of parasites in tropical natural pools. To safe guard against these risks a UV steriliser is a requirement. Additionally, biweekly treatments with 30% Hydrogen Peroxide can virtually eliminate any risk, as it destroys parasites while oxygenating the water. Though some beneficial microorganisms may be lost, most will remain in the wetland area.
Natural pools do not have mosquitoes for a number of reasons. Mosquito larvae need still stagnant water in order to breed. Stagnant water has very low dissolved oxygen and natural pools have good levels of dissolved oxygen from plants, movement and life. You see, constant movement and circulation of the water prevent the larvae from surviving. Natural pools also have predators that feed on mosquito larvae. Among them are the Notonectidae, popularly known as backswimmers, and the aquatic beetles (Ditiscidae). Larvae of dragonflies and damselflies also hunt mosquito larvae.
Beautiful video, thank you! It looks like you have tutorials on converting conventional pools to natural pools but what about creating a natural pool from start?
Our land is in the middle of wilderness with already a lot of ponds, frogs and rich ecosystem. I would love to have natural pool, but I feel like it would really be the gathering place for 1000 of frogs and insects during the summer, as most of natural waters dry out in this months. And I need the pool for our small eco friendly resort. But is there a way to keep it free of frogs, spiders and mosquitos?
With clever design you can add space between the wetland and the swimzone. Make the water from the swimzone overflow constantly into the wetland for example, so that its hard for insects, spiders etc to land and stay in the swimzone as they get swept into the wetland area.
It's all personal preference at the end of the day BUT dark colours hide the natural streaky, mottled appearance of natural biofilm on the pool surface.
The biological filter in the regeneration zone is the unsung hero in controlling pathogens. This zone, teeming with plants and microbes, acts as nature’s defense mechanism, absorbing and neutralizing harmful bacteria and viruses. Imagine the scene: antibacterial agents from fungi-yes, the same family that brought us penicillin-and a host of small critters like nematodes and protozoa actively consuming these unwelcome guests. The complexity of this ecosystem ensures that pathogens are not only trapped but transformed biologically. They're caught in the sticky biofilm, amongst roots and gravel, where, if conditions are right, beneficial organisms flourish, much like the flora in your own stomach. Regarding Naegleria fowleri, a concern in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers, natural pools present a safer alternative due to the constant circulation through a potent natural filter. This safety is contingent on maintaining water temperatures below 27°C and managing swimmer load to avoid overcrowding. The likelihood of encountering harmful pathogens such as fecal coliforms in a privately maintained pool is exceedingly low. Even if temperatures were to exceed 27°C, the risk of contracting Naegleria fowleri remains minimal, statistically about 1 in 142 million. To put it into perspective, even if you swam in water with detectable levels of Naegleria fowleri twice daily for 50 years, your chance of infection would only be about 1 in 4000. If you feel comfortable swimming in a mountain stream or pond, then swimming in a natural pool should be no less appealing, especially since the odds of infection are even lower. In tropical climates, where conditions are exceptionally warm, integrating UV sterilizers and periodic treatments with Hydrogen Peroxide can further mitigate risks, ensuring your natural pool remains a safe and enjoyable swimming environment.
@@leafandstone.naturalpools omg! thank you so much for the detailed reply. ^^ I always wondered if it was safe and you completely convinced me that it is safe. Also, the comparison between mountain streams and natural pools made perfect sense. Thank you so much for putting in the effort in replying and answering with such details. Amazing!!!!!!
The biological filter in the regeneration zone is the unsung hero in controlling pathogens. This zone, teeming with plants and microbes, acts as nature’s defense mechanism, absorbing and neutralizing harmful bacteria and viruses. Imagine the scene: antibacterial agents from fungi-yes, the same family that brought us penicillin-and a host of small critters like nematodes and protozoa actively consuming these unwelcome guests. The complexity of this ecosystem ensures that pathogens are not only trapped but transformed biologically. They're caught in the sticky biofilm, amongst roots and gravel, where, if conditions are right, beneficial organisms flourish, much like the flora in your own stomach. Regarding Naegleria fowleri, a concern in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers, natural pools present a safer alternative due to the constant circulation through a potent natural filter. This safety is contingent on maintaining water temperatures below 27°C and managing swimmer load to avoid overcrowding. The likelihood of encountering harmful pathogens such as fecal coliforms in a privately maintained pool is exceedingly low. Even if temperatures were to exceed 27°C, the risk of contracting Naegleria fowleri remains minimal, statistically about 1 in 142 million. To put it into perspective, even if you swam in water with detectable levels of Naegleria fowleri twice daily for 50 years, your chance of infection would only be about 1 in 4000. If you feel comfortable swimming in a mountain stream or pond, then swimming in a natural pool should be no less appealing, especially since the odds of infection are even lower. In tropical climates, where conditions are exceptionally warm, integrating UV sterilizers and periodic treatments with Hydrogen Peroxide can further mitigate risks, ensuring your natural pool remains a safe and enjoyable swimming environment.
@@leafandstone.naturalpools Thank you so much! I just wasn't aware of or sure about the risks of pathogens. I love the idea of ecological collaboration in permaculture but I wasn't sure about the risks of pathogens (or even how risky they are). I know chlorine, alcohols, and salts are great sterilizers but not great for the environment and cause a lot of irritation. Biochemical/Bioreactive sanitation is an exciting alternative to more traditional chemical sanitation approaches, so keep us posted!
Natural pools do not have mosquitoes for a number of reasons. Mosquito larvae need still stagnant water in order to breed. Stagnant water has very low dissolved oxygen and natural pools have good levels of dissolved oxygen from plants, movement and life. You see, constant movement and circulation of the water prevent the larvae from surviving. Natural pools also have predators that feed on mosquito larvae. Among them are the Notonectidae, popularly known as backswimmers, and the aquatic beetles (Ditiscidae). Larvae of dragonflies and damselflies also hunt mosquito larvae.
Have you ever seen 'pond' be well planned and maintained so that it has clear water and is swimmable ? I want to avoid pumps and liners. In your opinion, is this just not possible? Thank you!
No, not possible. You need to isolate the system from soil to get it really clear, so you need a liner or something keeping it separate. Pumps and water movement also critical, however, there is a method of creating a natural swimming pool using thermal circulation, It involves leveraging water temperature differences to maintain water quality without a pump. This system relies on the natural convective flow, where warmer water rises and cooler water sinks, to create circulation. The pool must be deep (at least 3 meters) to establish a significant temperature gradient. A funnel or conical shape helps concentrate cooler water at the bottom. A separate regeneration zone, housing aquatic plants and biofilters, is essential for natural filtration. This zone is typically shallower, benefiting from solar heating to enhance the temperature gradient. Benefits include energy efficiency, natural aesthetics, and lower maintenance, as there are no mechanical parts. However, challenges include managing adequate temperature differences year-round, higher initial costs for excavation and setup, and maintaining ecological balance. Implementation involves assessing the site for thermal properties, designing and excavating the pool to the required depth and shape, planting and landscaping the regeneration zone, and monitoring and adjusting the system to ensure effective circulation and filtration.
@@leafandstone.naturalpools thank you for your thorough response! Very helpful. I had never heard that conical shapes, when deep enough, help circulate water - I'll do that! And I'm building in slopes and shelves everywhere for aquatic plants - about 30% of surface will be living. There is also a seasonal creek running in and a good outlet - so, fingers crossed there is enough circulation and oxygenation for a healthy pond.
