If you choose a swimming pond instead of a swimming pool for your outdoor area, you can minimize the environmental impact and enable a garden design that is close to nature. Biopools can not only beautify the garden area in a natural way, but they also use plants instead of chemicals as water filters. In addition, there are some differences between pools and ponds that need to be taken into account when creating such a water feature. You can learn more about them below to decide on the best option for your garden or backyard.
Why choose a swimming pond instead of a swimming pool?
To decide on either a pool or a natural swimming pool, you should consider several aspects. This is because both differ in terms of care and equipment. As mentioned above, no chemical substances are necessary for water filtration in a swimming pond. Instead, the water can be purely biological with a new formation andCare of pond plants, gravel and microorganisms. However, creating a natural pool may require more space than a swimming pool, with approximately two-thirds of the pond being suitable for swimming.
In addition, the natural water area is a good option for allergy sufferers and nature lovers. Another advantage of the swimming pond is that it can be used all year round, although you cannot keep the water as warm as in a pool. In terms of effort, adding such a watering hole would also potentially require more manual labor. Around theto ensure proper pond care, you also have to remove the water once a year, cut back the plants in the bank area and clean the entire pond.
Is a natural pool cheaper and more environmentally friendly?
Installing a natural swimming pool requires growing plants, which could make it more costly than building traditional swimming pools. However, the costs of maintaining a biopool should decrease over time. This is because you don't have to buy expensive care products and water filters. In addition, the natural pool can be low maintenance and easy to maintain if you plan it well and maintain it throughout the season.
As far as the environment is concerned, creating a swimming pond instead of a swimming pool can be more beneficial due to the chemical-free water filtration. Natural swimming pools therefore also offer an environment thatWild animals in the gardencan attract and provide nesting places or feeding places for feathered friends. Another advantage of the biopool is that untreated water does not irritate the skin or eyes because there are no chemicals in it to clean the water. This makes the natural pool an excellent choice for those who are sensitive to such substances. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the swimming pond:
- Advantages:
- no chemical filter agents necessary
- low care and maintenance costs
- better for the environment
- better water quality in terms of eye and skin sensitivity
- Disadvantages:
- limited space for swimming due to filtration
- Small natural pools are not worthwhile due to lack of space due to pond plants
- higher installation costs
- Thoughtful planning is essential for better functioning
In addition, bathing ponds and swimming pools differ considerably in their equipment. Conventional swimming pools allow you to install massage devices and heat the water at your own discretion. Covering your pool can also help ensure the safety of children and pets, as well as...Thermal insulation in the cold monthscontribute.
How can you create a natural swimming pool in the garden?
Many garden owners or city dwellers create a garden pond or water garden with a fish pond as a decorative element. However, with natural pools it is possible to combine the fun of swimming with the visual appeal. In addition, you can have a swimming pond instead of a swimming pool to grow koi fish and popular pond plants. In this way, you can build an oasis of peace in your own garden from which you can watch birds and other wild animalsattract beneficial insectscan. All of this can make the swimming pond a preferred choice for outdoor use, but how should you best create it?
Ideas and tips for creating a swimming pond instead of a swimming pool
If you decide to create a biopool, you should first realize what you are getting into. If there is already a garden pond on your property, it may need a little attention. Each pond is unique and can vary in the plant and animal life it supports. For example, a common problem can be some invasive plant varieties. It is important to have a diverse range of plants above and below the waterline. You should also have the right conditions to promote beneficial growth.
In addition, a swimming pond relies exclusively on a balanced ecosystem and you can do without any filter technology. If you are looking for your large orsmall waterholeOnce you have already dug the hole, you should make sure that the walls are at a proper slope. This should have an incline of approximately 1:3 to reduce the risk of slipping in mud. Next shouldYou create the swimming zone and the plant zone. The ratio mentioned also plays a very important role and you can enjoy a well-functioning natural pool. Thanks to the created plant zone, you create a mini ecosystem that ensures the self-cleaning of the swimming pond.
Choose the structure suitable for a biopool
After you have zoned your swimming pond, you should seal the pond bottom. This way you ensure that no pool water can drain out when filling. A cheap and common option would be to cover the bottom of the natural pool with a thick plastic sheet. This can be easily laid out on the ground. Pebbles are suitable for such a lining, the layer of which should have an approximate thickness of 10 to 15 cm. In this way you create a bed for the growth of good bacteria, which accordingly contributes to the ratio of natural life to swimming space in the pool.
First, you should ensure that your pool area is easily accessible and reachable. If your swimming pond is on a slope, there could be a risk of slipping. In this case, non-slip garden paths would be the right choice. If the pool area is too shallow to jump in, you can equip your swimming pond with a small dock made from reused materials such as wood or metal. This means you and your guests or family members can enter the natural pool more easily via the shallow part and in the main swimming area. Of course, additional water features, stone steps or ladders can also be installed and you can even convert the side walls of the pool to suit.
Add the appropriate plant varieties
Only after you do thatPool floor securedand have made the access path possible, you can think about suitable plants for your swimming pond. To do this, you can research online which types of plants are suitable for such watering holes and how many of them you should add. This allows you to keep your pool clean in its specific environment, as this varies depending on the geographical area. Biopools that do not use chemicals for water filtration therefore rely on perennial plants and aquatic flora. These act as natural water filters and can serve their purpose perfectly if algae growth is controlled. There are four main types of aquatic plants that are suitable for swimming ponds:
- Rush plants such as tall grasses, papyrus plants and reeds
- small fat leaf and pondweed as underwater plants that are easy to root
- Water hyacinth and duckweed as floating plants with which you can decorate the water surface of your biopool
- Pond plants suitable for the bank zone, such as the marshmallow
There are numerous options available to you if you want to plant your swimming pond. However, it is advisable to speak to an experienced gardener before tackling it to ensure your plant life can thrive. You have now looked at some of the most important factors before creating a swimming pond and can save costs and consider the advantages and disadvantages given the possible applications.
