Cooling Off Naturally

Pools are an important part of life in Florida. Not only are they a beautiful design feature that makes your home feel like a relaxing resort, they are also practical, offering a private place to cool off during the often intense heat Florida can experience.

For a long time, the traditional, in ground pool has been the option for people. For years these pools have been cleaned, clarified, and balanced using harsh chemicals that make our skin dry out and our hair turn green. This led to a rise in popularity of socalled saltwater pools which use an electrolytic chlorine generator to break down the salt in the pool to generate chlorine. The chlorine that’s released into the water when the salt is broken down sanitizes the pool water, but it doesn’t produce the same amount of chloramines, which are responsible for strong chlorine smells, eye redness, and skin irritation.

For some, even the lower amount of chlorine used in the saltwater pool systems can be too much. Recently, a new trend has been seen in pool construction, one that might be interesting to people who are looking for a chemical free solution. Natural pools have rapidly gained recognition and appreciation due to the lack of chemicals used to clean them and their environmentally friendly nature that uses native plants and great filtration to keep the water clean and bacteria and algae free.

While it might sound like it’s too good to be true, chlorine free pools provide an amazing swimming experience with a water quality equal to or above the water coming into your home’s faucets. Constructed with walls or membranes that keep out soil and silt, they can be created from scratch or you can also convert an existing in-ground pool system to create the natural pool of your dreams. Natural pools rely on filter systems and constantly moving water to stay clean. Using biological filters with aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, water passes through the filter, into the regeneration zone, and back into the swimming area, clarified and completely clean. The combination of filters and plants promote the growth of good bacteria to eat algae and bad bacteria.

The regeneration zone is what makes these pools truly unique. This is an area of plant life built adjacent to or around the primary swimming area which is not only practical, it offers a beautiful addition to your outdoor areas. The plants in this zone provide flora that acts as an additional natural filter for water from the swimming area, which circulates throughout the plants with a special pump or skimmer system further cleaning the water. This motion helps prevent the growth of organic material in your pool keeping the water clear and healthy.

In warmer climates, these natural filter materials are usually put into the pool itself instead of in an adjacent area since there is no danger of freezing over the winter. Speaking of winter, if you are thinking about putting in a natural pool in a colder area, you don’t have to cover, drain, or refill the pool in different seasons. Some people will actually use their natural pool as mini ice rinks

(if fully frozen!) which technically makes them usable year round. People in warm or tropical climates will be able to swim all year long but many choose to install solar or alternative heating systems just to keep the temperature consistent.

Let’s get into the specifics of what it takes to create and keep a natural swimming pool.

When you set out to find someone to create a pool for your backyard, there are a few things you should know. First, the surface area and depth of the pool is important. The larger and deeper the pool is the less likely you are to have an algae problem. A total area of 45 to 50 square meters (about 484 to 538 square feet) is recommended for a healthy pool. Half of the pool’s surface area will be dedicated to the regeneration zone with the aquatic plant life so remember that as you sit down to design your backyard oasis.

Next, deeper pools mean cooler water temperatures which is a great way to keep your pool from overheating in warmer climates, which can lead to algae growth. Most pools will be at least 5 feet deep which helps to protect living organisms during colder months. If you want to dive, make sure you have an area that’s at least 9-feet deep so you can safely jump in. Many pools have shallow or slanted, beach-style entries so you can create a pool that works for you. Another depth consideration will have to do with the regeneration zone. Your plants will need a variety of depths so that you can use a diverse group of water loving options. The water should get steadily deeper, reaching a depth of 18-inches near the swimming zone, while the outermost area of the plant zone should be 2 to 3-inches deep.

Another consideration is where you will be placing the pool. Proportions of shade and sun are very important as the sun promotes algae growth and photosynthesis. Less direct sun exposure is better so make sure you know the sun and shade patterns of your yard. If your yard is particularly sunny however, areas of the pool can be shaded with floating leaves or plants that will slow algae growth and protect aquatic life. Always remember that some algae is an important part of the regeneration zone. This will be controlled by the good plants