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- Oct 5, 2022
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Hi
I’m hoping to get feedback and advice on the ideas i have.
I’m looking to take an old pool (18x36’) and convert it to a natural pool with water plants, some frogs and small fish. Maybe a couple of turtles. Also looking for the water to be clean enough to swim in. I dislike chlorine pools. I love natural places to swim.
So far I’m looking at a three-pronged approach to filtration:
1) Gravel bed filter-
Creation of a gravel- bed system on the floor of the pool (in the shallow end). Includes a layer of shallow milk crates on the floor of the pool to create a void space; a layer of landscape fabric over the milk crates, a layer of gravel (18”?) over the fabric. A pvc pipe running on the pool’s floor from the milk crate void to the pump. Some lily pads or lotus growing in the gravel?
2) Bio-filter barrels and waterfall/fountains- Construct a large framed box (podium-shaped) to hide bio filter barrels, pipes and pump. Also to create attractive design and elevation for waterfall and maybe fountainheads. Build apx 36”Wx24”Dx6’H framed box (2x4’s & plywood?) at the head of deep end. Two 55gal drums as bio filters joined in circuit use of diy bio balls within. Input pipe from shallow end gravel filter and one additional pipe from bottom of deep end. Use of ball valves to control flow into and out of pump to/from each point.
3) Raised bed channels-
Rather than reduce space within the pool for filtration why not use the perimeter of the pool? And gravity for more waterfalls? From the tall podium style box mentioned above, build two L shaped “raised bed” style (18”Hx24”W?) boxes/channels that run along the sides of the pool. Build strong and line the inside- then fill with gravel. A fountainhead on each side of the taller podium box will be the input to each channel that then runs apx 6’ along the head, then apx 10-15’ down each length of the pool. A waterfall at each terminus would spill back into the pool. Water Plants can be grown in these “raised beds.” Decorative and edible.
The good thing regarding the above is that I can start with 1st idea and see how things develop before I create the 2nd and wait on the 3rd. It seems flexible to me at least.
What do you all think?
Hoping for Feedback and Ideas!
I’m hoping to get feedback and advice on the ideas i have.
I’m looking to take an old pool (18x36’) and convert it to a natural pool with water plants, some frogs and small fish. Maybe a couple of turtles. Also looking for the water to be clean enough to swim in. I dislike chlorine pools. I love natural places to swim.
So far I’m looking at a three-pronged approach to filtration:
1) Gravel bed filter-
Creation of a gravel- bed system on the floor of the pool (in the shallow end). Includes a layer of shallow milk crates on the floor of the pool to create a void space; a layer of landscape fabric over the milk crates, a layer of gravel (18”?) over the fabric. A pvc pipe running on the pool’s floor from the milk crate void to the pump. Some lily pads or lotus growing in the gravel?
2) Bio-filter barrels and waterfall/fountains- Construct a large framed box (podium-shaped) to hide bio filter barrels, pipes and pump. Also to create attractive design and elevation for waterfall and maybe fountainheads. Build apx 36”Wx24”Dx6’H framed box (2x4’s & plywood?) at the head of deep end. Two 55gal drums as bio filters joined in circuit use of diy bio balls within. Input pipe from shallow end gravel filter and one additional pipe from bottom of deep end. Use of ball valves to control flow into and out of pump to/from each point.
3) Raised bed channels-
Rather than reduce space within the pool for filtration why not use the perimeter of the pool? And gravity for more waterfalls? From the tall podium style box mentioned above, build two L shaped “raised bed” style (18”Hx24”W?) boxes/channels that run along the sides of the pool. Build strong and line the inside- then fill with gravel. A fountainhead on each side of the taller podium box will be the input to each channel that then runs apx 6’ along the head, then apx 10-15’ down each length of the pool. A waterfall at each terminus would spill back into the pool. Water Plants can be grown in these “raised beds.” Decorative and edible.
The good thing regarding the above is that I can start with 1st idea and see how things develop before I create the 2nd and wait on the 3rd. It seems flexible to me at least.
What do you all think?
Hoping for Feedback and Ideas!