Natural swimming pools are a great way to swim without chemicals. Pools like this use plants and other natural options to filter the water and keep the pond ecosystem in balance. A natural swimming pool will also attract wildlife so it can be a great place to relax and enjoy nature. With just a few steps and careful planning, you can also make your own natural swimming pool.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Digging Soil to Create a Natural Swimming Pool
Step 1. Choose a place where the ground is flat and shady to create a natural swimming pool
Avoid places with tree stumps or shrubs that need to be moved. The shade will ensure the pool is not exposed to direct sunlight. Sunlight can encourage algae growth in the pond which will force the filtration system to work hard to keep the water clean and clear.
Step 2. Divide the dug hole to make a pond
The pit should be at least 45-50 m² wide and 1-2 meters deep. Don't dig too deep as deeper pools will require steel reinforcement. Make a rectangular or rectangular pond so that it is easy to straighten and fill.
Use string or chalk to mark the dimensions of the pond so you have a guide when digging
Step 3. Dig indentations on the edge of the pond for crop zones
It should be about 10-20 m² wide and 1 meter deep. These grooves are made to zone plants and other natural elements that will help filter the water in the pond. It should be located right on the edge of the larger hole that will be used as a swimming zone.
- The indentation for plants should be the size of or equivalent to 30-50% of the size of the main swimming zone.
- The plant zone will be separated from the swimming zone by a black coating which will be installed later. This coating will allow water to flow from the plant zone into the swimming zone, but keep plants from floating there.
Step 4. Dig a hole with an excavator
The excavator will make digging a hole easier and faster. Dig a hole to have a sloping wall. That way, the edge of the pool will not slide. The hole should have a flat, level bottom for easy coating and filling.
- Save any boulders you find while digging for later use when lining and filling the pond.
- You can rent excavators from vehicle and heavy equipment owners at an hourly or daily rate. Digging a hole like this will only take a few hours.
Part 2 of 4: Laying a Water Filtration System for a Natural Swimming Pool
Step 1. Install a small water pump at the end of the pool
While a natural pond will use plants to filter the water, you will need a pump to circulate the water to the plants. Purchase a small water pump at your local hardware store or online marketplace. Install it at the end of the pool and apply electricity to the pump so it can run.
- Now, you can bury the water pump in the ground if you don't want the pump to be visible.
- Running the water pump in or near water can be dangerous. So, be careful when installing it and make sure the cable you use is safe for use in water. When in doubt, hire an electrician to install the water pump.
Step 2. Attach the PVC pipe from the pump to the plant zone
Bury the pipe at least 50 cm deep in the soil, from the pump to the hole for the plant. Install PVC pipe underground along the pond, from one end of the plant zone to the other. Make sure the pipe reaches the plant zone so that water flows into the area.
If you're not sure how to do it, hire a plumber or contractor to help
Step 3. Attach the underwater aerator to the pump to add oxygen to the water
Installing an aerator will ensure the water has enough oxygen for plants and other organisms in the pond. Install the aerator in the deepest area or in the corner of the pool so that it is not disturbed. Make sure the aerator is properly connected to the water pump.
The price of a pool aerator ranges from 300 thousand - 1 million rupiah at the Tokopedia market
Step 4. Protect the pump and aerator with a skimmer
Install the pump and aerator in a plastic container or bucket with a skimmer. After that, cover the bucket with a steel-mesh filter bottom to prevent dirt from entering the equipment.
Part 3 of 4: Coating and Filling Natural Swimming Pools
Step 1. Use a synthetic coating to smooth the bottom and walls of the pool
Attach the coating tightly to the bottom and walls of the pool. Cut the liner so that it fits snugly against the pool wall and make sure the sides are snug all the way to the top of the pool line. Line the swimming zone and the plant zone so they are all protected.
Synthetic coatings are a great tool to prevent leaks and cracks in the pool from rocks or other objects
Step 2. Sprinkle bentonite clay if you don't want to use a synthetic coating
Another option is to sprinkle a layer of bentonite clay over the swimming and crop zones. You will need at least 3 kg of clay per 1000 cm² to line the pond. Spread out 5 to 10 cm of clay by hand. Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself.
- If the soil is high in sand, you may need to double the amount of clay per cm² to ensure the pond is well lined.
- Compress the clay with a tractor or compactor to completely compact it into the soil.
Step 3. Install black coating on the bottom and walls of the pool to reflect the sun's rays
Use a black synthetic coating over the first coat or over clay to block heat from the sun and heat the pool naturally. This coating will also protect the pool from leaking.
- Leave the coating and leave it lying between the swimming zone and the plant zone. Cut the coating so that it spreads 2-5 cm wide at the top edge, in the plant zone. This coating will be a barrier between the swimming zone and the plant zone.
- Use scissors to cut the coating to cover the edges of the crop zone.
Step 4. Arrange large stones on the pool wall to hold the liner in place
Use slab or river stone to hold up the lining while providing additional barrier. Place the rocks against the wall so that they line up evenly on the top edge of the pool. After that, you can fill in the gaps between the large rocks with smaller stones or slabs.
You can also use stone slabs that have been cut into pieces to fit if you want a flat and neat side of the pool. Slab stones are usually very heavy to lift. So you may need someone to help put the stone into place
Step 5. Cover the pond with gravel or pea gravel
Cover the bottom of the pond with gravel or pea gravel to create a good habitat for microorganisms. Gravel like this will also keep the bottom of the pool soft and easy to step on.
Make sure you use washed gravel or pea gravel so that there are no dust or particles in the pool
Step 6. Cover the edge of the pond with stone or gravel
Finish making the pond by spreading small stones or gravel around the edge of the pond to cover the black coating. Make sure the liner is completely covered and there is a clear perimeter around the rock pool. Reinforce the rocks with gravel and soil to prevent leakage.
Make sure there is a clear path between the swimming zone and the plant zone as water needs to flow between these two areas
Step 7. Fill the pool with water and let it sit for a week
Use fresh water to fill the pool until it fills the swimming zone. After that, let it sit and monitor to see if there are any leaks or problems. Test the water with a home test kit to make sure the level is safe and not contaminated with any chemical or biological substance.
Do not fill the plant zone until you are ready to add plants to the pond
Part 4 of 4: Adding Plants to a Natural Pool
Step 1. Add 10-15 cm of aggregate (granular material such as sand, gravel or crushed stone) or gravel to the crop zone
Use aggregates or gravel that do not contain additives or that consist mostly of organic matter that has not been decomposed. Make sure the aggregate has not been in contact with animals so that no germs or bacteria enter the water.
Step 2. Fill the plant zone with water to about 30 cm below the edge of the pond
Use fresh water to fill the plant zone. Make sure the water can flow into the pond easily so the plants can help filter it.
Check that the black coating you are using as a barrier is above the water to prevent plants from drifting into the swimming zone
Step 3. Plant oxidizing plants in the plant zone to keep the water healthy
Waterweed (Elodea) and hornwort (Ceratophyllum) are good choices because they both release a lot of oxygen into the water. You can also plant aquatic plants such as sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) around the plant zone to keep the area oxygenated and adequate.
Step 4. Add floating plants to provide shade for underwater organisms
Lotus and other floating plants are great choices for plant zones because they encourage the growth of microorganisms that will keep the water healthy and clean.
Step 5. Cover the plant with gravel
If you are using a plant with roots, sprinkle some gravel at the bottom to keep the plant in place.
