ABOUT SWIMMING PONDS
Natural or artificial swimming pool; an explanation and the advantages and disadvantages
Many books have been written about ecological swimming ponds or natural swimming pools and a lot of information can be found on the Internet, so on this page we limit ourselves to the names we use with a simple explanation and the most important advantages and disadvantages of each type.
If you still have questions after reading our website, you can ask them via the contact form at the bottom of this page or e-mail your question to info@piscinevivante.fr. We will then provide you with an answer as soon as possible.
Completely natural swimming pond
A completely natural swimming pond does not contain any technology, in fact it is a pond as almost everyone knows it, only it is deep and big enough to swim in. Usually there is a jetty built to get in and out of the swimming water.
Benefits
- This is the most natural and ecological swimming pond you can have.
- This is usually the least expensive way to build a swimming pond in terms of budget.
- Size and shape can be freely determined. This form is often chosen for a very large swimming pond or recreational lake.
Disadvantages
- Because there is no technology and therefore no pump, the stagnant water will be green with filamentous and floating algae for much of the year.
- If the water is not deep enough and there is too much stagnation, blue-green algae can grow in the summer because the water gets too warm.
- Pollution is difficult to remove and causes a mud/silt layer to form on the bottom.
- Every autumn, the banks have to be well maintained to ensure that the pond does not become overgrown.
Natural swimming pond
It is usually built in a more or less oval shape with natural rounded shapes and has vertical walls. The water is pumped by an energy-efficient, ecologically sound pump through a plant filter, which is planted with a selected variety of water plants that grow in the lava stones.
Benefits
- Garantie d'absence d'algues flottantes, donc une eau claire et propre toute l'année, même si la température de l'eau dépasse 30 degrés.
- Apart from the pump, there is usually no further technology required for the proper functioning of the swimming pond.
- Wonderfully soft and naturally clear water for swimming.
- The bottom of the swimming section is easy to clean.
- Looks great in your garden in all seasons.
- Ecological, so no chemicals are used at all.
- For nature, a swimming pond is an asset in your garden.
- Design and size are almost entirely free to decide.
Disadvantages
- The construction costs are significantly higher than for an all-natural pool and also slightly higher than a traditional pool due to the shape and the additional plant filter.
- In spring, there is a small chance of some thread algae on the walls, but as soon as the aquatic plants in the filter start to grow, they usually disappear quickly.
Natural swimming pool with plant filter
The only difference between a natural swimming pool and a swimming pond is the shape; the natural swimming pool has rectangular shapes and is usually elongated. Furthermore, the construction and technical operation almost the same as a swimming pond and this causes some confusion about the naming: natural swimming pond or natural pool.
Benefits
- The same as for the natural swimming pond.
- Due to its rectangular shape, a natural swimming pool is on average slightly cheaper than a natural swimming pond.
Disadvantages
- The same as for the natural swimming pond.
Natural swimming pool with biofilter
In this natural pool, a bio-filter is used instead of a plant filter to clean the water. This biofilter can also be combined with a small plant filter to liven up the natural pool.
Benefits
- Moins d'entretien qu'une piscine naturelle avec un filtre végétal.
Disadvantages
- It looks less natural and you get less nature in your garden.
Hybrid pool
Half traditional pool and half natural pool. In autumn, winter and spring, the hybrid pool works as a natural pool, usually with a plant filter, and in summer it is a traditional pool. To switch from a natural to a traditional pool, the plant filter is separated from the pool in summer by means of automatic valves and taps.
Benefits
- Suitable for anyone who wants a beautiful pool to be integrated into the garden, but who definitely wants to swim in water that is devoid of life.
Disadvantages
- A hybrid pool has a lot of technology and at least two pumps, so the cost price is significantly higher than for a natural pool or swimming pond.
- More sensitive to malfunctions due to the use of more technology.
- Any chemicals required to keep the bathing water clean and clear.
- Maintenance costs are on average higher than for a natural pool.
- Swimming in 'treated' water with possibly added chemicals is probably less healthy.
